William leaned back against the leather seat of his car, closing his eyes as exhaustion finally took hold. He had been on the move ever since his private jet landed nearly twenty hours ago, and now, at long last, he was on his way back to his family's old mansion.
The day had been nothing short of grueling. Not only had he spent hours maneuvering through the city, dodging relentless paparazzi eager to snap a shot of his unexpected return, but he had also been forced to confront the very reason that had brought him back in the first place—one that demanded his immediate attention.
I suppose it makes sense, William thought, rubbing his tired, stinging eyes as he loosened his tie. I left after that incident and never once looked back. Never even hinted that I'd return. But now that I'm here, I'll have to brace myself. Once the news spreads, there won't be a moment's peace.
He exhaled a slow, weary sigh and turned his gaze toward the rain-streaked window. The rhythmic drumming of the downpour against the glass filled the silence, stirring an unwelcome memory. It had been raining that night, too—the night he left for the airport, abandoning everything behind him. The storm had raged just as fiercely, as if trying to wash away the remnants of pain still clinging to his heart.
Outside, the city was still cloaked in darkness, but even through the hazy veil of early spring rain, the route home was etched into his mind. The years had done nothing to dull his familiarity with it.
"Be careful at this intersection," William said to the driver, his voice calm but firm. "There are always reckless idiots who try to speed through when the road's clear."
"Noted, sir," the driver responded with a nod.
William closed his eyes once more, hoping to steal a few moments of rest. The soft pitter-patter of the rain against the car lulled him, offering a brief, fragile comfort against the storm still raging inside him.
Suddenly, the driver slammed on the horn and swerved sharply to the left. The tires screeched against the pavement as the car jolted to an abrupt stop. William's body lurched forward from the impact, his head nearly colliding with the front seat's headrest.
"Ugh, Marvin! For God's sake! I told you to watch the road!" William growled, forcing himself back into his seat.
Marvin, the driver, unbuckled his seatbelt, his hands trembling. "Sir... it wasn't a car. It was a woman!"
"What?!"
William's heart pounded violently in his chest. There's no way I hit someone on my very first day back...
Without hesitation, he unfastened his seatbelt and flung the car door open, practically leaping out. Marvin followed closely, his face pale and eyes wide with panic.
William rushed forward, only for his breath to hitch when his eyes locked on the figure sprawled on the pavement.
"Anna...?"
"Mr. Stark, I swear, I didn't hit her! I swerved just in time!" Marvin stammered, his body trembling as he cautiously approached the unconscious woman.
William dropped to his knees beside her, his pulse thundering in his ears. With trembling fingers, he brushed her hair away from her pale face. The moment her features were revealed, a chilling wave of dread washed over him, freezing him in place.
What the hell happened to you...?
"Marvin," William ordered coldly, lifting Anna into his arms as he strode back to the car. "Change the route. We're heading to Austin's hospital. Step on it. We need to handle this fast."
"Oh—yes, of course!" Marvin stammered, scrambling into the driver's seat and starting the engine.
With Anna's fragile, cold body pressed against him, William reached for his jacket hanging on the back of the driver's seat. He gently draped it over her trembling shoulders, ensuring his touch remained soft and careful.
His fingers brushed through her damp hair, pushing it away from her face and revealing the raw, angry burn that marred her skin. His breath hitched.
What the hell...? How did this happen to you?
The image of her at the bar earlier that night flashed through his mind. He'd walked in, hoping to catch a breather and enjoy a drink, only to find Anna drowning her sorrows like there was no tomorrow.
Maybe it was the way she downed each glass with reckless abandon, or perhaps it was the sudden surge of long-buried emotions that overwhelmed him. Either way, seeing her there had stirred something deep within him—a strange mix of longing and regret.
But now...
A wave of fury crashed over him, burning through his veins and tightening his fists.
I knew that bastard Robert Hyde was divorcing you. It made sense why you'd want to drown your pain in alcohol. But this... I should have listened to that damn voice in my head and reached out to you. Goddammit.
William pressed his warm palm against Anna's forehead, only to jerk it back when her eyelids fluttered in response to his touch.
His heart tightened painfully. Acid. Whatever twisted scheme she'd been caught up in, this was crossing a line—far beyond cruelty.
"Mr. Stark," Marvin's voice cut through William's turbulent thoughts. He glanced toward the driver's seat, where Marvin's tense expression mirrored the gravity of the situation. "We've arrived. The hospital."
William's gaze shifted to the imposing white hospital building towering over the dimly lit parking lot.
"Alert the nurses at the reception to call for Dr. Austin. I'm taking her straight to the VIP wing," William ordered as Marvin swiftly stepped out to open the door for him.
Cradling Anna's fragile body against his chest, he shielded her face from the relentless rain and strode toward the entrance.
In that moment, two desperate hopes anchored his racing heart: that it wasn't too late to save her eyes... and that no one had dared to touch her.