Chapter 79: Picturesque Scenery
“Come over here!” Jeremiah beckoned with a wave.
Raylee, without hesitation, approached him. Just as she was about to reach him, he suddenly pulled her close. His immense strength nearly swept her off her feet. As she teetered on the cliff's edge, terror widened her eyes. She let out a piercing scream, believing her end was imminent.
Suddenly, a force yanked her back. “What’s going on? Can’t you walk properly? You almost fell! Are you trying to make me a widower?” Jeremiah’s magnetic voice softly reprimanded her.
Raylee stood at the cliff's edge, her gaze lost in the abyss. She recoiled in terror. Jeremiah's reprimand echoed in her ears, leaving her pale and shaking her head. “I didn’t…” she stammered. She couldn’t understand what had happened; she’d been careful. She had a slight limp, and they were standing precariously close to the cliff edge. If Jeremiah hadn't pulled her back… No, that couldn't be right. He had no reason to harm her, so why…?
Raylee banished the troubling thoughts. “All right, don’t be scared,” he reassured her. “I’m here with you; I won’t let anything bad happen.” His slender fingers gently caressed her face, soothing her with a soft voice.
Raylee met his gaze, his voice soft but with a lingering tone that made her question its sincerity. It felt like a tender trap; falling into it would be catastrophic. She took a sharp breath, realizing she couldn’t overthink. Her intuition must have been wrong.
“You two really have a talent for showing off your love—even halfway up a mountain!” A sharp voice interrupted.
Raylee turned to see Casimir gazing at her intently. The others stubbornly remained.
How unlucky to run into them again. It was unclear how long they’d been there or how much they’d witnessed.
Waverly hurriedly explained, “Raylee, we didn’t mean to intrude. We heard about an ancient mural and wanted to see it!”
“Wavy, why are you so afraid of her? Everyone minds their own business!” Shanice said disdainfully.
“Mr. Lorimer, this isn’t your personal property. Surely, we’re allowed to take a photo?” Samuel scoffed.
Jeremiah met his gaze, his expression unreadable. “Future brother-in-law, do I come across as overbearing?” He smirked coldly. “Suit yourself.”
Shanice and Waverly happily photographed the mural. Samuel and Casimir took pictures of the mural and the landscape.
Raylee stood with Jeremiah, a meter from the cliff's edge, gazing into the distance. The golden sunlight illuminated her slender frame, but it did nothing to soften her pallor. Her sharp, black-and-white eyes held no warmth, as if no light could reach their depths. It was incredibly picturesque.
Almost instinctively, Samuel and Casimir chose Raylee as the subject of their scenic photographs.
“Excuse me,” Jeremiah said, his handsome face taut with tension. “Were you secretly photographing my fiancée? Did you get my permission? Are you aware of the right of publicity?”
Raylee glanced at Jeremiah; his dark eyes bore into the two men.
“Who took a sneak photo of her? I certainly didn’t!” Samuel vehemently denied.
Casimir furrowed his brows. “I’m just taking photos of the scenery. Why are you so suspicious, Mr. Lorimer?”
“Are you brave enough to show me your phone gallery?” Jeremiah asked, a hint of mockery in his voice. “Own up to it, and I’ll respect you. But don’t try to have it both ways—that’s pathetic.”
The two men were speechless.
“Delete my photo!” Raylee commanded coldly.
“Fine, I’ll delete it. You accidentally got in the shot. I certainly don’t need you in my photos!” Samuel angrily deleted the photo. Casimir followed suit. But as soon as he turned around, he restored one and set it as his screensaver.
Suddenly, Waverly ran over, brimming with excitement. “Casimir, look! I found a heart-shaped pebble! It’s exactly like the one you gave me!” She opened her palm, revealing a dusty, heart-shaped pebble.
When Her Heart Turned to Stone