The Man They Blame

You still love me, right?

“Sir, let me take Miss home.” Kitty, feeling awkward, offered to take over caring for Erin.

Kitty knew what had happened between Erin and Derek; she understood Derek’s position of not wanting to deal with Erin anymore. Because of that, she tried to take the initiative.

Derek turned toward her. The woman was also injured; letting her carry Erin would only make matters more complicated for him later. He then scanned the parking area. “You came in your car, right?”

Kitty nodded. “Yes, I didn’t drink. So I can drive.”

Derek nodded. “Just wait at St. Louie Hospital. I’ll take Erin there, and I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Kitty agreed and hurriedly headed to her car. She moved first, while Derek only started his car after ensuring Erin was seated safely in her place.

In the middle of the trip, Erin began to stir. She turned and realized Derek was still there and began to speak, “I knew you would come, Derek.” She smiled toward the man.

Derek glanced at her briefly, acknowledging the sound of her voice. He could see the smile now, but his internal reaction was far different. If it had been the past, he might have admired and been captivated by that smile, hoping to keep her smiling like that forever.

But now, he wasn't sure there was anything left for Erin inside him.

Erin squirmed in her seat, bringing her body closer to Derek. Her hand touched his arm and clung to it. “Derek, tell me you still love me, right?” she asked with her eyes closed.

Derek tried to pull her away and shifted her back to her seat. “Go back to sleep. I’m driving.” He tried to make the woman realize she should stop bothering him.

But Erin ignored it and clung to him even tighter. Her firm chest, which seemed trapped by her dress, rubbed and pressed directly against Derek’s arm.

Derek took a deep breath, looking uncomfortable. “Erin, go back to your seat.” He warned her again.

“I don’t want to!” Erin refused firmly. Her lips pouted, and her face looked annoyed. “Derek, I can’t live normally without you, so come back to our home. I miss you.” This time, her words were an honest reflection of what she felt.

However, that only fueled Derek’s anger. To him, Erin was far too late, and he could no longer forgive her. “This is the last time I will come for you. From now on, I will ensure I never look your way, even if you’re dying on the side of the road.”

To him, this was enough. He did not want to prolong the situation with Erin. “So don’t ever expect anything from me again.”

Hearing Derek’s reaction, Erin’s emotions were provoked again. She then unbuckled her seatbelt and jumped into Derek’s seat.

Derek slammed on the brakes to the side and nearly lost control. He stopped the car and stared at Erin angrily. “Are you crazy?”

“Yes, I am crazy!” Now Erin’s eyes were wide open. She was on top of Derek, standing with both knees bent on his seat.

Erin stared at him desperately. “How do I make you come back to me?” She gazed at him intently and then began to place her hands on Derek’s chest. “Do I need to do this?”

Derek stared at her, stunned. He had never found Erin to be the one to initiate in their relationship, but now the woman began to feel his body.

Erin lowered her clothes, letting her breasts be exposed before Derek. Her breasts protruded without a single thread covering them; both looked perfect with her nipples hardening due to the cold temperature inside the car.

Derek’s memories flashed back to their intimate moments, which had never been this open. Erin had never truly shown her naked body to Derek. She had always been in her thin nightgowns, while Derek tried to restrain himself behind the gown. Now, Erin seemed to surrender herself, and it left Derek stunned.

Erin ignored Derek’s unwavering gaze. She continued her efforts; her hands crawled down toward Derek’s body, her hands rubbed his stomach and then moved slowly inward.

Her hand almost reaching further down, But Derek caught her hand. “Stop right now.” Derek prevented her.

Erin’s tears spilled over uncontrollably; finding Derek’s rejection truly wounded her heart.

Derek took off his jacket and covered Erin’s chest with it. “You are only going to embarrass yourself further.”

The remnants of her pride made her rise from there. Because of the deep heartbreak, the woman cried and chose to drown her consciousness again.

Meanwhile, Derek, who let out a long sigh and tried to give her time to calm down, sensed something heading toward his car. Derek quickly became alert.

The area where they had stopped was a small forest; it was difficult to ask for help there, while his eyes caught about ten trained masked men appearing, carrying baseball bats and surrounding him from two directions.

They were Dick’s men, while Dick was hiding some distance away, observing the situation through a live video feed his men were broadcasting. A smile began to appear on his face, waiting for the perfect moment for him to appear and become the hero.

Derek immediately devised a strategy. He then carried Erin’s body outside. He needed to ensure the woman was in a safe place, and his eyes could keep watch.

“Stay calm.” He said that as he stepped out carrying Erin and placed her under a tree. “I won’t fight,” he told them.

Believing his attitude, the attackers remained calm and approached. However, they were careless. Derek moved rapidly, targeting a man he had previously observed and marked as their leader because, from the start, he had been giving gestures of command.

He attacked some of them precisely at their weak points, knocking them unconscious while luring them away from Erin. Then, when there was an opening, he immediately grabbed the arm of the masked man who was the leader and twisted his body backward.

Derek managed to direct the knife in the man’s hand straight to the masked man’s own throat. “Back off, or I’ll slit his throat.” He warned them. The situation turned around in a matter of seconds.