Novel Square
Chapter 225
Chapter 225
The dusk was settling, casting long shadows over the small town of Honeysuckle Hollow. The endless rain had turned the dirt roads into a quagmire, making travel a nightmare. Under the shelter of the free clinic’s awning, Gwendolyn was administering care to her last patient of the day.
“You’ve got a bit of an upset stomach,” Gwendolyn said, her voice gentle yet firm. “A few doses of this medicine should do the trick. Remember, eat slowly and choose soft and bland foods. And lay off eggs and shellfish while taking this, okay?”
She scribbled a prescription and handed the medication to the elderly woman.
“Thank you, Dr. Quigley. You’re so patient with us all.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” Gwendolyn replied with a smile.
Perched on the edge of the porch, the town mayor snapped his lighter and lit a cigarette, his face creased with worry as he watched the relentless downpour. “This rain doesn’t look like it’s letting up anytime soon. Tommy, ensure you set up the roadblocks and warning signs on the main road tomorrow. We don’t want any travelers to get caught in a landslide.”
Packing up her medical kit, Gwendolyn overheard and asked the town mayor, “Sir, are you saying vehicles can’t get through?”
“Landslides are common during these storms. We’ve had our share of injuries before. Honeysuckle Hollow is too strapped for cash to fix these roads properly.”
Hearing that, Gwendolyn felt a twinge of discomfort.
Back in her tiny prefab cabin, she tidied up the sparse room with its single bed, a dresser, and a small table with chairs. She picked up her cell phone from the dresser, the signal weak and unreliable, making calls nearly impossible.
The roar of thunder echoed outside, and the night seemed to grow even darker.
Gwendolyn’s thoughts drifted to Howard, and the words Vivien and Selina had said echoed in her mind The Stellar Crescent Foundation
was his tribute to Selina, a testament to their love.
He had shielded Selina in that horrific car accident. If it wasn’t love, then what else could it be?
Her marriage to Howard had been an accident from the start. Yet the thought of giving up on such a good man was something she
couldn’t do.
She lay on her bed, a wave of emotions crashing over her, leaving her feeling lost and aimless.
She would believe him if he would deny it.
8 5 5 OF 5
Outside her cabin, a shadowy figure lurked. Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.
The intruder carefully picked up the old–fashioned lock and slipped inside. He tiptoed toward the bed.
A flash of lightning illuminated the room, followed by a clap of thunder that split the sky. Gwendolyn’s eyes snapped open to see a swaying silhouette, a stranger standing in her room.
“Who are you?” she gasped, her body breaking out in a cold sweat.
A rough hand clamped over her mouth, the voice harsh and threatening. “Shut up! I won’t hurt you! Just do as I say. Let me strip you and take a few photos, and I’ll let you go!”
Gwendolyn bit hard on the hand over her mouth, and the max yelped in pain, releasing her.
She dashed to the door, but he yanked her back by her hair.
The thunder outside drowned out Gwendolyn’s cries for help. She struggled wildly, knocking over the few dishes she had.
“Help! Somebody, help!”
“Shut up, bitch! If you don’t cooperate, I’ll have my way with you!” he snarled, changing his mind. Gwendolyn was too tempting, and he had been watching her for days.
He tore at Gwendolyn’s clothes, but she jabbed a long needle hidden in her bracelet into his arm.
Sandra had warned her that desperate times called for desperate measures, so she never removed the needle when she slept.
With a howl of pain, he loosened his grip, and Gwendolyn seized the moment to swing a chair at him.
“I’ll make you regret this! Nobody dares to mess with Jack here!”
Gwendolyn raced to the door, finding it wired shut and impossible to open.
She edged along the wall, keeping her distance from Jack, who was sneering. “You think I’d do something like this without a backup plan? With this storm, who can hear you scream? No one would notice!”