Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Chapter 65:No reckless decisions
Walking into the bustling nightclub, Winter’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face.

“Is she the one?” Gina asked, eyeing the girl who waved at them from the far corner.

Winter sighed in relief, exchanging a meaningful glance with Gina before making her way through the dimly lit club.

It had been surprising to hear Lilac’s distressed voice, asking her to join for a drink. But sensing something off, Winter had decided to bring Gina along—especially since she had stopped by the house to visit Seren.

“Aren’t you the model our company signed for the campaign?” Lilac asked, tilting her head as she eyed Gina.

“Nice to meet you in person,” she added with a friendly smirk.

Winter’s gaze dropped to the drink in Lilac’s hand. “I never thought you were the clubbing type. Don’t you worry your brothers will find out where you are?” she asked.

Lilac clicked her tongue. “They won’t. I left my phone at home before coming here.”

Gina chuckled. “Smart move.”

Winter observed Lilac carefully—she wasn’t her usual chatty self. Something was clearly wrong.

“So… why are we drinking tonight?” Winter asked, watching for a reaction.

“Is that even a question?” Gina quipped before Lilac could respond. “She invited us, that’s why.”

Winter shot her a look, but Gina just shrugged, leaning back and taking a sip from her drink.

“I like your friend already. I hope we can catch up again,” Lilac said with a wink, earning a nod from Gina before her gaze settled back on Winter.

Unlike Gina, Winter wasn’t easily charmed. She simply waited for Lilac’s real answer.

Lilac sighed. “Because I feel like getting drunk tonight. You know, forgetting reality for a little while.”

Winter understood that feeling all too well. She had drowned herself in alcohol after Eric’s betrayal—one weak moment that had ultimately led her to Kalix.

“Fine,” Winter relented. “But no losing control, okay? Drink as much as you want, but no reckless decisions.”

Lilac grinned before downing her entire drink.

The music pulsed around them, the air thick with the scent of liquor and sweat. It had been a while since Winter had been out like this, but even surrounded by flashing lights and thumping bass, her mind kept drifting back to Kalix.

Lilac suddenly grabbed her wrist. “Come on, let’s dance.” she said dragging her to the dance floor.

***

[Convenience Store]

Since Gina had gone to meet Winter, Lily decided to take a stroll through the convenience store and grab some instant noodles for dinner.

Ever since she lost her job, they had been barely surviving on their savings. But after today, life was finally getting back on track, and she couldn’t help but feel like celebrating—at least in a small way.

Grabbing a few packets of noodles and some cold drinks, Lily paid at the counter and stepped outside.

She had barely made it halfway to their residential building when she spotted a group of men loitering on the sidewalk ahead.

Her senses instantly went on high alert.

Clutching the bag tightly to her chest, she lowered her gaze and quickened her pace, hoping to slip past unnoticed.

“Hey, beautiful.”

‘Shit.’

Her stomach sank as one of them stepped directly into her path, cutting her off.

“Where are you going?” he asked, flashing her a leering smile.

His breath reeked of alcohol, and Lily instinctively scrunched her nose, stepping back.

Before she could turn away, another man suddenly appeared behind her, blocking her escape.

“What’s in the bag?” he asked, his voice thick with amusement.

Lily flinched at their closeness, her pulse hammering in her ears. She tried to step away, but one of the men grabbed her bag, yanking it from her grasp.

“Hey! Don’t take it!” Lily screamed, her voice sharp with panic.

The man stepped back, peering inside before scoffing.

“Instant noodles? Seriously? You think we stopped you for this crap?” He sneered, tossing the bag carelessly to the ground. “Give us your money.”

Lily’s instincts screamed at her to run, but before she could, rough hands seized her wrist, yanking her back.

“Let me go, you creep! HELP! HELP!” she cried, but the street remained silent—her voice swallowed by the night.

“Check her pockets,” one of them ordered.

Lily’s breath hitched. She struggled, kicking and thrashing in their grip.

“Don’t you dare touch me! Let go—HELP! HELP!”

Her strength was no match for them, and dread clawed at her chest—

“Ahh!”

The man holding her left arm suddenly doubled over, groaning in pain.

Lily’s eyes widened. What just happened?

Another sharp cry followed. “Agh!”

The man in front of her dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach.

Lily turned, her breath hitching at the sight of the man standing before her.

“Roger…” The name escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Her body froze, shock paralyzing her as she watched him take down the remaining men with swift, effortless movements.

Why… out of all people… does it have to be him?

Suddenly one of the thugs lunged toward her.

“You—!”

Reacting on instinct, Lily snapped her knee up between his legs.

“Ahh!”

The man crumpled with a pained groan.

Within seconds, the remaining goons scrambled to their feet and bolted down the street, disappearing into the shadows.

Roger straightened, adjusting his suit with practiced ease before bending down to retrieve her discarded bag.

“I wasn’t expecting to meet you like this, Lily.” His deep, magnetic voice sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.

She didn’t want to acknowledge how effortlessly charming he was. She didn’t want to acknowledge how her heart betrayed her with its rapid beat.

“Me neither,” she said, quickly composing herself as she took the bag from his outstretched hand. “But… thanks.”

“What are you doing here, anyway? And how did you end up in their clutches?” Roger asked, watching as Lily peeked into the bag, sighing in relief.

“I never thought you’d care more about a pack of noodles than your own life,” he added, amused.

“How could I not? It’s my meal. I value it more than my life,” Lily shot back, darting an anxious glance at him.

Roger chuckled, shaking his head. “Same old Lily. When are you going to stop prioritizing food over your safety? Remember that time in college? You nearly got hit by a car because you were too busy chasing after a sandwich.”

Lily’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Yeah, she remembered.

And just like back then, he was here now—pulling her out of trouble again.

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed in her pocket, cutting through the moment. She pulled it out, and the second she saw the caller ID, her brows knitted in concern.

“Hello…” Her voice caught in her throat as she listened to the person on the other end.

Without hesitation, she turned on her heel and started walking.

“I’m on my way,” she said hurriedly before ending the call.

Fumbling with her phone, she attempted to book a cab, but before she could confirm the ride, Roger’s voice cut through the night.

“Come on. I’ll take you.”