Revenge After Rebirth: Fated To The Triplets I Hate-Chapter 76: He Won’t Hurt You, I Promise

Lucas’s POV

I attempt to take a step, to go right there and drag him away, but I hold myself. My jaw tightens, my fists clenching so hard my knuckles ache. Zane’s voice cuts through the air, not directed at me but at her, low and taunting. "You can’t hate me forever, Iris." She twists, trying to free herself from his grip, her body jerking as she pulls against his hold. Then, a sharp rip echoes through the hall, it was the sound of her dress tearing. My eyes catch the flash of fabric giving way, the gown splitting to reveal the curve of her cleavage. My throat tightens, and I swallow hard, fighting the heat surging through me, a mix of fury and something darker, something I don’t want to name.

Instantly, the memory of her moans from the night before, with the triplets’ voices, flickers in my mind again. It’s enough to douse the fire in my chest, replacing it with a cold, nonchalant look. I turn away, my deliberate effort to put distance between me and the scene unfolding behind me. But her voice shifts, no longer just strained but desperate for pleading. "Zane, let me go!" Another tear of her fabric rips through the air, and I flinch, my hands trembling as I force myself to keep walking away.

I reach my room and shove the door shut, leaning against it as if to block my thoughts away from her. My ears strains, catching the faint echo of her pleas. The more she hurts, the more it claws at me, a sharp, twisting pain in my chest that mirrors hers. I press my palms against my temples, trying to silence Ryn, who’s growling low in my mind, his presence was a restless storm. "Coward," he snarls. "You’re letting her suffer."

Then, a sharp sound echoed, like a slap, followed by Iris’s short, pained cry. My cheek stings, a sudden burn that makes me walk toward the mirror on the wall. My reflection stares back, a red mark blooming across my cheek, as if I’d been struck on the face. My breath catches, my fingers brushing the skin of my face. Her cry grows louder, her voice breaking as she begs, "Zane, please, let me go!"

He laughs, a mocking sound that sends a shiver down my spine. "No one’s coming for you now, my love." His words dripped with arrogance, and then, there was silence all of a sudden. My mind races, filling with images of what he might be doing, what he’s capable of. My fists clench again, nails biting into my palms as Ryn roars, "Go to her! Now!"

I can’t stay here. I storm out of my room, the door slamming against the wall as I move out of my room in fury, heading back there. The corridor blurs past me, as I retrace my steps to the hall where I’d left her with him. When I reach the open space near the packhouse’s main hall, Zane is gone. And there, in the corner by the tall windows, is Iris.

She’s seated at the corner, her arms wrapped tightly around her body, trying to cover the torn fabric of her dress. Tears stream down her face, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Her hair, once flowing in soft waves, is disheveled, strands sticking to her wet cheeks. The sight hits me like a punch to the gut. I hate myself for walking away, for leaving her to face him alone. She needed me, and I failed her. Again.

I stand there helpless and do not know how to react, my throat tight as Ryn snaps at me, his voice sharp and accusing. "Look at her. Look at what you let happen. You’re no better than him." His words, cutting deeper than I want to admit. I took a tentative step forward as I finally spoke. "Iris." I called.

She flinches at the sound of my voice, her head lifting slightly up to me, her eyes red and glistening with tears. I move closer, my hand reaching out instinctively, but she snaps, her voice sharp. "Don’t touch me!" I hesitated, my hand hovering in the air.

Before I can say anything, another voice breaks the moment. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" I turn to see Cade, one of the triplets, walking toward her. His eyes are soft with concern, as he kneels beside her. He reaches out, his movements careful, and she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she leans into him, her body trembling as he helps her to her feet. She clings to him, her fingers gripping his arm, and I see the trust in her eyes, the way she relaxes against him.

Cade’s voice is steady and reassuring. "You don’t have to worry, Iris. Zane won’t hurt you again." His words are firm, like a promise, and she nods, her tears slowing as she looks up at him. The sight of it twists something in my chest, a bitter mix of jealousy and self-loathing. He’s there with her, holding her, while I’m left standing here, useless, watching as they walk away together. Her steps are shaky, but Cade’s arm around her is steady, guiding her out of the hall and out of my sight.

I stand there, rooted to the spot, my fists still clenched, my cheek still burning. Ryn’s voice is quieter now, but no less cutting. "You let him take her. You let her go." I don’t respond. There’s nothing to say. The weight of my failure presses down on me, heavy and unrelenting, as the hall grows quiet.

Iris’s POV

This is the second time Cade has saved me. The first was when Zane’s temper flared and his hands got too rough, too possessive. Now, here he is again, pulling me away from the wreckage of his brother’s cruelty. My dress is torn, the fabric hanging loosely over my chest, my hands still around myself, trying to cover my exposed skin. My shoulders shake with sobs I can’t control, my throat ache from crying. Cade’s arm is warm around me, steadying me as he leads me down the corridor, away from the hall where Lucas left me broken and humiliated. I thought Lucas told me to trust him, to feel safe around him but he lied.

But Cade’s presence was comforting. I glance up at him, his jaw set, his dark hair falling slightly into his eyes. There’s no trace of Zane’s arrogance in him, no hint of the cruelty I just endured. Instead, his expression is unreadable, his eyes focused while he walked without giving me a glare, but the way he’s careful not to let his arm press too hard against me.

We reach a small room at the end of the corridor, in front of my room door. He pushes the door open and guides me inside, his hand lingering on my shoulder for a moment before he steps back. I sink onto the edge of the bed, my legs trembling too much to hold me up any longer.

The door creaks shut, and Lila, my maid, steps inside. "My Luna!" she gasps dramatically, her hands fluttering to her mouth at my sight. She walks toward me, but Cade raises a hand.

"It’s alright, Lila. I’ll take care of her. You can go."

Lila hesitates, her eyes flicking between us, but she nods and slips out, closing the door softly behind her. Cade moves to the wall across from me, leaning against it, his hands sliding into his pockets. His posture is relaxed, but his eyes are, watching me with a quiet intensity that makes me feel seen but not exposed.

Cade steps forward, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and holding it out to me. "Here," he says, almost gentle. I look up, meeting his gaze, and see no pity there, only a steady concern. My fingers tremble as I take the handkerchief, the soft fabric brushing against my skin. I wipe my eyes, the tears soaking into the cloth.

He moves away, crossing the room to a small table where a pitcher of orange juice sits. He pours a glass, the liquid catching the light as it fills the cup, and brings it back to me. "Drink," he says, setting it on the table beside the bed. "It’ll help."

I nod, my throat too tight to speak. I reach for the glass, my hands still unsteady, and bring it to my lips. The cold, sweet juice slides down my throat, grounding me in a way I didn’t expect. I drink it all in one go, the empty glass clinking softly as I set it back on the table. "Thank you," I manage, my voice hoarse but sincere.

Cade watches me, his hands back in his pockets, his expression still unreadable. "Are you okay?" he asks, his tone even, but there’s a weight to the question, like he’s ready to act on whatever I say. "Do you need anything?"

I hesitate, my fingers twisting the handkerchief in my lap. The fear is still there, a tight knot in my chest, the memory of Zane’s hands on me, his voice mocking and cruel. "Stay with me," I say, the words spilling out before I can stop them. "I’m scared he’ll come back. That he’ll hurt me again."

Cade’s eyes soften, and he steps closer, lowering himself onto the bed beside me. And I feel the warmth of his presence, steady and reassuring. "You’re safe here," he says, his voice calm. "Nothing’s going to happen to you. I won’t let it."

I look up at him, my tears blurring my vision, and see the sincerity in his eyes. There’s no emotion in his words though, just a quiet certainty that makes me believe him. He reaches out, his hand hovering near my face, and then gently lifts my chin, making me meet his gaze. "I’m giving you my word, Iris. Zane won’t hurt you again."

My breath catches, and I nod, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks. My hand finds his, clutching it tightly as the fear pours out of me. "Promise me," I said.

He doesn’t hesitate. "I promise," he says, his eyes locked on mine.