Chapter 12 A tall man in a simple work jacket stood not far away . His brow bones were prominent , his gaze deep and sharp , his nose straight , and his thin lips pressed tightly together . The entire aura he exuded was wild , untamed , and coldly unyielding . When he saw the scene before him , his brows instantly furrowed . He strode forward , forcefully brushed Zachary's hand aside , and shielded . Braelynn behind him . " Don't be afraid , it's all right now . " His voice was not loud , yet it carried a reassuring sense of certainty and strength . Caught off guard , Zachary stumbled from the shove . After regaining his balance , he saw the man who had suddenly appeared and noticed how he was protecting Braelynn . Rage instantly surged to his head . Pointing at the man , he demanded angrily , " Who are you ? " The man turned around , his gaze calm yet oppressive as he looked at Zachary . His tone , however , was unwavering and resolute : " Alexander . Braelynn's husband . " He paused , then spoke with greater emphasis , " This is not a place where you can do as you please . If you have any issues , we can talk , but violence . is not acceptable . " Only then did Braelynn realize that the man who had suddenly appeared to help her out of trouble was the very person she had come here to marry -Alexander . Looking at his broad back , a complex mix of emotions surged in her Chuter 17 heart . She felt a sense of relief , but also a bit of embarrassment ; after all . this was their first meeting , and it happened under such circumstances . Zachary seemed completely infuriated by the way the other man was defending her . His eyes reddened as he stared fiercely at Braelynn : " You can't marry him ! Braelynn , you can't ! " " Zachary , what are you going crazy about now ? Who I marry has nothing to do with you ! " Braelynn couldn't help but speak up . " She's right . " Alexander stepped forward , continuing to shield Braelynn , refusing to give an inch . " Who she marries is her own choice . It's not for outsiders to interfere , and certainly not for you to use force here . " " Outsider ? " Zachary laughed in fury . " I'm an outsider ? And what are you supposed to be ? If you know what's good for you , get out of my way now ! " His anger grew even more intense , his chest heaving violently . He lunged forward , trying to grab Alexander by the collar , but Alexander easily brushed his wrist aside : " You're not welcome here . Please leave ! " " Leave ? Fine . " But I'm not leaving alone . I'm taking her with me ! " He suddenly turned his head and shouted toward his car . " Come here ! " Immediately , two tall , bodyguard - like men got out of the car and strode over . The atmosphere instantly became tense , on the verge of erupting . The passing residents were so frightened that they quickly detoured around the scene . Braelynn's parents , hearing the commotion from upstairs , anxiously poked their heads out to look . Chapter 12 At this extremely tense moment , Maria's phone suddenly rang . After answering , her face turned deathly pale , and she shouted down in panic , " Something's wrong ! Zachary ! Carolina ... Carolina took sleeping pills ! " " What ?! " Zachary whipped around . his face full of shock . Upstairs , Henry and Maria were also struck with terror . " Who are you talking about ? " " It's Carolina ! She left a note , saying that if you don't want her , she'll ... she'll ... " Maria's voice was choked with sobs , and she nearly fainted as her vision went black . " Maria ! Are you all right ? " Henry cried out in alarm , quickly supporting his wife . He looked down at Zachary and urged anxiously , " Zachary ! Hurry ! Go back and check on her ! Carolina ... she's still waiting for you ! You have to go save her ! " " No matter what , you grew up together . You can't just stand by and do nothing ! " Zachary's heart suddenly sank . Carolina attempted suicide ? The thought made him shudder , and a wave of intense anxiety and burden washed . over him . Right now , she was his fiancée in name , and Braelynn's younger sister . If he didn't go back and something really happened , the consequences . would be unimaginable . The Aidley family wouldn't let it go , and public opinion would drown him ... He glanced at Braelynn , who was being protected by Alexander . Her face was expressionless , as if Carolina's life or death had nothing to do with her . 00.54 That cold indifference made his heart tighten and ache , yet he was helpless to do anything about it . " Aren't you going back ? After all , you're sisters . " He almost asked instinctively , looking at Braelynn with a hint of final probing and inexplicable hope . " I'm not going , " Braelynn replied calmly . " When she falsely accused me and nearly drove me to death , she never once treated me as her sister . " So I don't want to acknowledge her as my sister anymore , either . " Every word she spoke landed heavily on Zachary's heart . In the end , Zachary gritted his teeth , gave Braelynn one last complicated look , as if trying to etch her image into his memory . " Let's go ! We're going back home right now ! " A group of people hurried into the car , which sped away , leaving behind a scene of chaos and silence . Braelynn watched their departing figures . Her tense body suddenly relaxed , and she felt completely drained . Alexander reached out just in time to steady her , saying in a deep voice . " It's all right now . It's over . " He glanced at the red marks on her wrist , his brows furrowing slightly . " Let's go upstairs and rest for a while . " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!