Chapter 22 : Wounds and Warmth Chapter 22 : Wounds and Warmth ( Samantha's POV ) The grand entrance to Hector's estate felt both welcoming and intimidating . As we approached the door , Hector paused at an elegant shoe cabinet nestled in the entryway . He pulled out a pair of brand new designer wool slippers and placed them carefully in front of me . " What are these for ? " I asked , eyeing the plush slippers with surprise . Hector's lips curved into a subtle smile . " They're for you . I anticipated we might be collaborating frequently in the future . " The gesture caught me off guard . Such thoughtfulness was unexpected , especially from someone as powerful as Hector Grayson . Thesitated , but only briefly . " Thank you , " I said , removing my troublesome high heels and slipping my feet into the wool comfort . Hector helped me with my coat , hanging it on a nearby rack before leading me inside . The interior was tastefully decorated , with warm earth tones and elegant furnishings that spoke of wealth without ostentation . " Water ? " he offered , already pouring a glass from a crystal pitcher . I accepted gratefully , taking a small sip before he addressed the elephant in the room . " You want a divorce ? " His directness was refreshing after Marcus's hedging . " Yes ," I confirmed , meeting his gaze steadily . " Ethan has contacted every law firm in Ravenwood City . He's made it clear that anyone representing me will face consequences ." Hector's expression remained neutral , but I detected a flicker of something in his eyes - disapproval , perhaps . " I don't want a messy public battle , " I continued , " I just want a fair division of property and a clean break . " I paused , studying his face . " I understand if you don't want to get involved . Helping me would mean risking Ethan's wrath , and your alliance with the Northern Territory is valuable . " The wind outside picked up , a chilling autumn gust that seemed to emphasize the coldness of my situation . Hector moved to close the door , shutting out the draft with a decisive click . Warmth spread through the room , mirroring the small flicker of hope that kindled within me às Hector dismissed my concerns with a casual wave of his hand . " If you want a divorce , no one can stop you ," he stated matter - of - factly . " Not even Ethan Blackwood . " Sunlight broke through the clouds outside , streaming through the windows and transforming the room . The shift in lighting seemed symbolic of the change in my prospects . " Tell me ," Hector said , his voice carrying a compelling intensity , " do you really want to leave him ? " His eyes studied me with careful consideration , as if my answer would determine something important . I felt caught between two powerful forces : the fear of Ethan's reaction and my determination to reclaim my life . The options lay bare before me - a path forward , uncertain yet liberating , or a return to the suffocating ค 1/4 Chapter 22 Wounds and grip of my marriage . Freedom called to me , its siren song impossible to resist . " I want to , " I declared , my voice growing stronger with each word . " I want to divorce him . Can you help me ? Hector nodded without hesitation , his confidence unwavering . " Of course . " " But what about the consequences ? " I asked , worry creeping into my voice . " Ethan won't take this lightly . He my voice . " Ethan won't take this lightly . He could make things difficult for you , for your business interests in the Northern Territory . " Hector's posture remained relaxed , yet he emanated a natural confidence that was both calming and impressive . " Don't worry , he can't touch me . " I blinked in surprise at his dismissiveness of Ethan's power . Before I could voice my astonishment , Hector's expression changed , his eyes narrowing as they fixed on something below my waist . " You're bleeding , " he stated , pointing to a small but growing red stain on my white skirt . I glanced down , dismayed to see that the cut on my thigh from my earlier confrontation at home had reopened . " It's nothing . Just a small scratch . " Hector was already moving , retrieving a sleek black case from a nearby cabinet . He returned and knelt beside my chair , opening what I now recognized as a medical kit . " Really , it's fine , " I protested weakly . " Let me see , " he insisted , his tone leaving no room for argument . Reluctantly , I shifted my skirt slightly , revealing the angry red gash on my outer thigh . It wasn't deep , but it looked worse than I'd realized . Hector's expression darkened momentarily before returning to professional detachment . He took my hand in his , steadying me as he prepared to clean the wound . The intimacy of his touch caught me off guard . His skin was warm against mine , and the subtle scent of sandalwood that surrounded him was a stark contrast to the coldness I had experienced with Ethan in recent months . " This might sting ," he warned , dabbing antiseptic on a cotton swab . As he touched it to my wound , a sharp pain shot through my leg . I couldn't suppress a cry of discomfort . " Hector , it hurts … " I gasped , my fingers instinctively tightening around his . His eyes met mine , filled with a gentleness that belied his powerful presence . " I know . But sometimes healing requires pain first . " The double meaning of his words wasn't lost on me . I nodded , biting my lip as he continued to clean the wound with careful precision . " How did this happen ? " he asked , his voice carefully neutral . I hesitated , unsure how much to reveal . " I had a … disagreement with Margaret Blackwood . Ethan's mother . " Hector's hands paused momentarily before resuming their work . " A disagreement that resulted in p .. , ical injury ? " " She brought divorce papers , " I explained , wincing as he applied more antiseptic . " Said I should sign them and < Chapter 22 Wounds and disappear quietly . I may have lost my temper and thrown some crystal at her . " A ghost of a smile touched Hector's lips . " I see . " " She dodged ," I continued , finding it oddly easy to talk to him . " But I caught myself on the broken glass afterward . " Hector nodded , applying a healing salve to the cut . " Your mother - in - law sounds charming ." The dry comment surprised a laugh out of me . " Oh , she's delightful . Especially when she's telling me how inadequate I am as Ethan's Luna . " Hector's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly . " Some people mistake cruelty for strength . " He finished bandaging my wound with expert efficiency , his touch clinical yet somehow comforting . When he was done , he remained kneeling , his eyes meeting mine with unexpected intensity . " No one has the right to make you feel inadequate , Samantha , " he said quietly . " Especially not when you've shown such remarkable strength . " Something in his gaze made my heart skip a beat . Not attraction , exactly , but recognition - as if he saw something in me that others , including myself , had missed . " Thank you , " I whispered , suddenly aware of how close we were . Hector nodded once and stood , returning the medical supplies to their case . The moment passed , but something had shifted between us - a connection formed in this quiet moment of vulnerability . " Now , " he said , his tone becoming businesslike again , " about your divorce . I know several attorneys in the Eastern Territories who would be more than capable of handling your case . " I listened as he outlined a strategy , explaining how we could bypass Ethan's influence by filing in another territory . His confidence was contagious , making me believe that freedom might actually be possible . As he spoke , I found myself studying his profile - the strong jaw, the dignified bearing , the careful way he chose his words . Hector Grayson was everything ' Ethan was not : measured where Ethan was impulsive , thoughtful where Ethan was demanding . " Samantha ? " Hector's voice pulled me from my thoughts . " Are you alright ? " I nodded , suddenly overwhelmed by gratitude . " Yes . I just … thank you for helping me . For not dismissing me like Marcus did . " " Marcus Bennett ? " Hector asked , his eyebrow raising slightly . " Yes . He refused to take my case , " I explained . " Said I was seeking vengeance , not justice . " Hector considered this . " Perhaps there's truth in that . But sometimes justice requires a measure of vengeance ." His words resonated with something deep inside me . For the first time since discovering Ethan's betrayal , I felt understood . " The wound on your leg will heal , " Hector said softly , his eyes meeting mine again . " And so will the can't be seen . But first , you need to be free . " s that The conviction in his voice made me believe it was possible . As he returned to explaining the legal strategy . ! felt something I hadn't experienced in months : hope . < Chapter 22 : Wounds and The pain in my leg throbbed dully , a reminder of the cost of standing up to the Blackwoods . But sitting here in Hector's warm , sunlit study , I found the strength to face whatever came next . " Hector , it hurts … " I had said of my wound , but the words applied equally to the ache in my heart . Comments Watch videos get points ( 0/10 ) > 56 u Vote