Chapter 293

With a bright smile, Fannie hooked her armn through Elora's.

"That's right, Elora, it's me, Fannie. We're about to go camping with Nolan's fiancée. Want to come along?"

The mention of Nolan's fiancée sent a fleeting shadow of jealousy across Elora's eyes, but it disappeared so quickly that neither Fannie nor Nolan caught it.

She gave a soft sigh, her tone carrying a hint of sadness. "You all go ahead. I... I'm not feeling well today."

As she spoke, she subtly drew her hand behind her back, almost as if she didn't want anyone to see.

Nolan's attention sharpened at her pallor, a frown creasing his brow. He gently reached for her hand,and when he saw it, his face darkened with concern."Who did this to you?"

Elora's hand was mottled with bruises, some fresh and others already fading, the sight startling.

In a rush, she yanked her hand away and shook her head. "It's nothing, really. I just took a bad fall. Aren't you about to head out? Don't let me hold you up. I only stopped by to say hello before checking into the hotel."

Nolan didn't buy her excuse for a second. His expression stern, he ushered her inside and settled her onto the sofa.

"Lilah, get my doctor here right away," Nolan instructed firmly.

Elora's hands flew up in protest, panic in her voice."No, Nolan, it's really not necessary. I'm fine."

But Nolan refused to budge, standing silently by until the doctor arrived.

After a careful examination, the doctor's expression turned grim. The verdict was clear: Elora had been enduring physical abuse for months.

Fannie clapped a hand to her mouth, horrified. "That's horrible.Who could do something like this?"

Nolan's jaw tightened as he demanded answers. "Elora,are you still going to hide who did this to you?"

Acting as if she were cornered, Elora spoke.

"Three years ago,I got a boyfriend. He was kind to me at first, but after my father died, and I had no one left he changed. Whenever he got upset, he'd take it out on me."

Her voice quivered as she continued, "Recently, I tried to break it off for good. But he started stalking me,threatening me, hurting me whenever he could.couldn't take it anymore, so I ran... I had nowhere else to go but here."

As Elora confessed, tears spilled down her cheeks, and she began to sob, her shoulders shaking with every breath.

Fannie squeezed Elora's hand tightly, reassuring her,"Don't be scared. He can't hurt you here. You're safe.Nolan won't let anything happen to you."

Elora's tear-filled eyes flickered to Nolan, worry etched on her face, as if she were afraid to burden him.

She quickly tried to reassure him, "Nolan, I never wanted to cause any trouble. I just wanted to see you If it's too much, I can always stay at a hotel."

Nolan thought it over for a moment before giving a firm nod. "For now, you can stay here."

He had always thought of Elora like a sister. There was no way he could leave her to fend for herself.Making room for one more at home was the least he could do.

Fannie let out a visible sigh of relief, happy with his choice.

Elora's eyes filled with gratitude, and she thanked them over and over, tugging at Fannie's heartstrings.

With arrangements in place, Nolan turned to Fannie."Stay here with Elora for a bit, Fannie. I'm going to find Eleanor."

Fannie had hoped to spend time with Eleanor herself,but thinking of all Elora had endured, she agreed without complaint.

By ten o'clock, Nolan slipped out of the house.

He had barely made it to the intersection when Fannie's urgent call came through.

"Nolan,Elora passed out!"

Nolan hesitated only a moment before pulling out his phone to text Eleanor.

"Something came up. We'll have to postpone our camping trip."

With the message sent, he turned the car around and headed straight back to the villa.

For his mother's sake, he was determined to make sure Elora had everything she needed.