Larissa and Haskell share a moment of playful and genuine connection as they interact in a hospital setting. Despite Haskell\u2019s broken legs and the severity of the situation, their conversation is lighthearted, with Larissa teasing him about his careful, gentle care and asking about his past. Haskell reveals that he has never cared for anyone the way he cares for her, indicating a special bond forming between them. Their mutual curiosity and teasing create a warm atmosphere amid the tension.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The dynamic shifts slightly when Haskell points out Finley, the eldest grandson of the Judson family, who Larissa has just injured. Larissa casually contemplates silencing Finley to prevent him from revealing what happened, showing her pragmatic and ruthless side. Finley, terrified and desperate, tries to escape despite his injury, unaware that Larissa already knows Haskell, which adds complexity to the unfolding situation.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Haskell offers to deal with Finley, but Larissa insists on handling it herself, emphasizing that this is her family\u2019s issue. Haskell then declares himself Larissa\u2019s fianc\u00e9, stating that her problems are now his, deepening their connection and commitment to each other. Larissa responds with playful skepticism, doubting she is truly the first woman he has treated with such kindness.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chapter ends with Larissa taking control of the situation by blocking Finley\u2019s escape and forcing a pill down his throat, leaving him frightened and suspicious about what she has given him. This moment highlights Larissa\u2019s determination and willingness to take drastic measures to protect herself and her interests, setting the stage for further conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like your time with the Judson family hasn\u2019t been as smooth as you made it out to be,\u201d the man remarked, his tone calm but probing.<\/p>\n
Larissa glanced down at his precise, careful movements, her initial puzzlement softening into an amused smile. \u201cOh, it\u2019s been quite easy, actually. See? I just handled one little problem without breaking a sweat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haskell\u2019s lips curved into a quiet chuckle. He found himself growing more fond of her with every passing moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what about you?\u201d she asked, stepping behind his wheelchair and beginning to push it gently. \u201cHow did you end up with broken legs here? Care to share your story? I\u2019ve got some time to kill, and honestly, I\u2019m in no rush to return to the Judsons.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes softened, lashes fluttering as he looked up at her, but the playful smile never left his face. \u201cIf you want to know, I don\u2019t mind telling you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do,\u201d Larissa replied, her curiosity genuine. \u201cWhen you have a moment, you\u2019ll have to tell me everything. It\u2019ll help me understand you better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following his lead, she turned her hand palm-up, allowing him to carefully cleanse her palm after he\u2019d finished wiping the back. Watching his delicate, methodical work, she couldn\u2019t resist teasing him a little. \u201cHave you ever done this for Honora?\u201d<\/p>\n
Haskell\u2019s hands remained steady, never faltering. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
As if sensing she might doubt his answer, Crispin, his assistant, called out from a distance, \u201cHe really hasn\u2019t, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n
Larissa grinned, continuing the playful banter. \u201cEven if your master had done this for Honora, you wouldn\u2019t necessarily be aware of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crispin was momentarily speechless. Back when Haskell was at the peak of his power, he wouldn\u2019t have needed to perform such care for any woman. As for his current behavior, Crispin couldn\u2019t tell if it was true love at first sight, as Haskell claimed, or simply gratitude for Larissa\u2019s promise to heal his broken legs.<\/p>\n
Haskell, however, showed no sign of embarrassment or guilt. He smiled openly at her teasing. \u201cYou\u2019re the first.\u201d<\/p>\n
After gently wiping her hands clean, Haskell dropped the blood-stained handkerchief to the ground and wheeled himself back a few steps, positioning himself to look directly at her face.<\/p>\n
Their eyes locked, Larissa held his gaze without hesitation. \u201cWell, I\u2019m honored.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe honor is all mine,\u201d Haskell replied with a broad grin, then his attention shifted to Finley, who lay sprawled nearby. \u201cHe\u2019s the eldest grandson of the Judson family. You just crippled him. What are you planning to tell them when you return?\u201d<\/p>\n
Larissa shrugged casually. \u201cI was just thinking about that. Maybe I should poison him so he can\u2019t talk, and break his hands too. Then he wouldn\u2019t be able to snitch on me.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the mention of this, Finley\u2019s face twisted in terror. Despite his injured leg, he began dragging himself desperately toward the door, crawling with frantic urgency.<\/p>\n
He never would have guessed that Larissa already knew Haskell.<\/p>\n
Haskell watched Finley\u2019s pitiful attempt to escape with an amused smile. \u201cThat\u2019s a clever idea. But if you don\u2019t mind, I could take care of him for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Larissa shrugged again, a hint of determination in her eyes. \u201cNo, it\u2019s fine. This is my family\u2019s problem. No need to drag you into it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom now on, I\u2019m your fianc\u00e9,\u201d Haskell declared softly. \u201cYour problems are my problems.\u201d<\/p>\n
Larissa laughed, the sound light and teasing. \u201cYou\u2019re so smooth with your words. I\u2019m starting to doubt I\u2019m really the first woman you\u2019ve ever treated this kindly.\u201d<\/p>\n
She strode over to Finley, who was still crawling painfully toward the factory entrance, and blocked his path firmly. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a small porcelain bottle and forced a pill down his throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cCough, cough\u2026\u201d Finley choked violently, trying to spit the pill out, but it was too late. The bitter, medicinal taste spread quickly across his tongue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you give me?\u201d he gasped, suspicion and fear flashing in his eyes. He knew it couldn\u2019t be anything good.<\/p>\n
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
Wings of Broken Time by Alina Das 44 Wings of Broken Time by Alina Das 44 Summary Larissa and Haskell […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-throne-of-thorns-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30563"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30563\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}