Chapter 84 Safe In His Arms

• Rachel POV
• The chime of the doorbell sliced through the quiet of the house, a sharp note that sent my heart leaping into my throat. I set down the mug of tea I’d been clutching, its warmth fading against my palms, and crossed the living room, my bare feet soft against the cool hardwood floor. The puppy, sprawled in its bed by the couch, lifted its head, ears twitching, but didn’t stir further, its gentle snores a small comfort in the stillness. I hesitated at the door, my hand hovering over the knob, a flicker of apprehension mingling with curiosity. Cody had stepped out earlier, muttering something about needing air, leaving the house feeling both emptier and heavier, the weight of our recent conversations lingering like a fog. Who could be here now?
• I opened the door, and there he was—Jeremy. His familiar silhouette filled the doorway, his broad shoulders slightly hunched, a duffel bag slung over one arm. The sight of him, his dark hair tousled by the night breeze, his eyes searching mine with that quiet intensity, sent a rush of warmth through me, chasing away the chill of the evening. But as I took in his presence, the bag in his hand, a realization clicked into place, sharp and clear. Nick and Scarlett. This was their doing, wasn’t it? Sending Jeremy to stay with me, to keep an eye on Cody, to protect me from the man they couldn’t trust. A wry smile tugged at my lips, a mix of amusement and exasperation at their strategy, their parental instinct to shield me even when I insisted on standing on my own.