Mr. Pretentious: Miss Valerius, He is Begging for a Title-Chapter 89: Forget the Nightmare—Just Remember Me

Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Forget the Nightmare—Just Remember Me
Sebastian Ford held Eleanor Valerius tightly as he hurriedly left the hotel.
As they emerged, Eleanor hesitated to face the light, hiding in his arms with fear.
He took off his suit jacket to cover her, yet he was even more worried.
Visible were the wounds on her wrists, chafed by rough ropes and bleeding.
But what couldn’t be seen was the trauma in her heart after her hysterical cries subsided.
Eleanor didn’t speak, she merely clasped his neck.
The scent of blood filled his breaths, further infuriating and making Sebastian remorseful.
Back at the villa.
The familiar surroundings slowly began to restore Eleanor’s sense of security.
"Let me tend to the wounds on your hands first."
The tone of Sebastian’s voice as he spoke to her was cautiously tender.
Hearing this, Eleanor’s eyes shifted slightly as she said, "I want to take a shower."
"I’ll help you with that."
Sebastian furrowed his brows, looking at her, his eyes barely concealing his worry and curiosity.
"I can bathe myself."
Eleanor refused him but couldn’t push away from Sebastian’s embrace.
In the next moment, she slowly lifted her eyes to him. Her eyes, swollen from crying, and her voice, hoarse: "Don’t worry, I didn’t purposely avoid you. Julian Ford didn’t assault me. Except for the abrasions on my wrists, the rest of my body is unhurt.
This matter has left me a victim; I don’t feel dirty, just frightened. I want to shower and rest."
Eleanor’s emotions had returned to calm.
As if the one who had been shattered into hysteria moments ago was not her.
"Your wrists are injured, they mustn’t get wet. Bathing is something I should help you with."
Sebastian gently caressed her cheek, his touch soft and intimate.
Eleanor sighed lightly, too weary to resist him further.
Subsequently, Sebastian carried her to the bathroom to bathe, surveying her bare form as he gently checked her over.
Only her wrists bore abrasions, and her lips were bitten.
Throughout, Eleanor cooperatively allowed Sebastian’s tending.
When he carried her to bed, she nestled beneath the covers, curling into a fetal position borne of a lack of security.
"Let me apply some medicine."
Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed, emergency kit in hand, gently tending to her wounds.
As he peered down at her, he noticed her eyes seemed unfocused, betraying a lack of the calm her demeanor suggested.
Yet he didn’t force her emotions, silently keeping her company.
"If the wounds hurt, tell me. Share anything with me, don’t keep it bottled up."
Sebastian stressed his presence to Eleanor, wanting her to rely on him.
Eleanor obediently nodded.
"I’m going to sleep."
"Alright."
Sebastian sat by the bed, touching her as she closed her eyes.
He was somewhat surprised at how quickly Eleanor had recovered.
Having endured such extreme emotions, Eleanor soon fell asleep.
But, in her subconsciousness, she was plagued by nightmares.
In the dream, she was bound, a live camera aimed at her, stripping her of clothing and subjecting her to public ridicule and derision.
Fear and despair flooded her like a tide, leaving her trapped with suffocating pain.
"No..."
Eleanor began to struggle subconsciously, her body stiffening to a faint tremble.
At this moment, Sebastian, fresh from the shower, immediately rushed to her side, gently patting her face to wake her.
"Eleanor! Wake up! Don’t get lost in the nightmare!"
When she awoke, Eleanor found herself restrained and instinctively pushed against him, not having had the chance to distinguish dream from reality, her emotions intense and unsteady.
Sebastian’s warm chest pressed against her, holding her nape, his voice a quiet reminder: "Calm down, you’re not in danger; I’m here. Why keep pretending even when you’re scared?"
"Sebastian, I’m really fine..."
Eleanor’s breath was shallow, her gaze evasive and not daring to meet his eyes.
Suddenly, Sebastian subtly seethed, his grasp turning unexpectedly assertive.
The abruptness startled Eleanor into a scream, her eyes watering as she begged, shaking her head, "Please don’t..."
She resembled a startled, frightened animal. Though he hadn’t actually done anything, her emotions spiraled out of control.
"I never meant to hurt you."
Sebastian released his hold, his voice, and gaze softening.
He leaned down to kiss her lips, saying quietly, "Suppressing your emotions like this may leave psychological scars. Why not entrust yourself to me?"
Speaking, he leaned in to embrace her.
"Master Ford..."
Eleanor felt his closeness but her consciousness harbored resistance.
Sebastian harbored no intent to coerce her, every gesture was painstakingly gentle.
Eleanor understood this was his way of comforting her.
She realized she wasn’t as strong as she imagined.
After encountering such a terror, even with a clear mind knowing she did nothing wrong, the anxiety lingered in her memory.
Had it not been for Sebastian’s presence tonight, she... might have truly been broken.
"Eleanor, tonight’s memory will be of me picking you up from the office, giving you a bath, and then us enjoying our planned date from earlier in the office."
Sebastian’s voice turned deep.
"No unexpected incidents occurred. You needn’t hold on to those memories; tonight there’s just you and me. A lover’s duty is to serve you well, and what you should remember, what you should feel, is just our date together."
Sebastian’s comforting kisses gradually healed Eleanor’s fear.
She didn’t want to reject him, nor could she.
"Eleanor, no other man should appear in your nightmares. I want you to see only me; tonight, as on any night, you faced no danger, just remember me."
Sebastian gave her a more tender kiss.
He wanted her to set aside all the negativity that caused nightmares.
"Darling, look at me."
"Sebastian..."
Eleanor preferred to call his name.
As if, on equal footing, their souls’ connection wasn’t dictated by power.
"It’s me, tonight I belong to you."
Sebastian’s gaze enveloped her, his deep voice a mesmerizing incantation.
Finally, Eleanor fell asleep in his embrace.
Sebastian didn’t rise, effortlessly wrapping his arms around her, determined to ward off even her nightmares.
That night.
Eleanor slept deeply, surrounded entirely by his presence.
In her dreams, there were no shadows of fear or breakdown, only Sebastian’s protection.