Madeline immediately resisted and elbowed the person behind her.

The man did not block her blow but wrapped his arms around her. "Linnie, it's me."

The man's deep and thick voice slipped into her ears.

Madeline was taken aback for a moment as she took in a vaguely familiar scent of cedarwood.

"Linnie, don't be afraid. I won't hurt you. I just don't want you to make a decision that you’ll regret for the rest of your life," Jeremy said softly with a hint of humble request in his tone. "Please,