Star-Crossed Lovers Of The 1850s (JJK ff)

CHAPTER 37

Louisa's slender legs propelled her forward, her gown lifted in one hand as she ran with reckless abandon, tears streaming down her face. Her heart beat solely for Jungkook, her every thought consumed by the desperate longing to find him. The night air whipped through her hair, but she didn't feel its chill, her senses numbed by the urgency driving her.

She burst through the mansion's entrance, the heavy doors swinging shut behind her. The grand halls, once filled with laughter and warmth, now echoed with emptiness. Louisa's footsteps resonated through the silence as she frantically searched for any sign of Jungkook.

Room by room, she searched, her eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. But there was no one. The mansion, once a hub of activity, lay deserted and still.

As she ascended the stairs, her tears fell harder, blurring her vision. She stumbled, her hand grasping the banister for support.

In the upper halls, the silence was oppressive, weighing upon her shoulders. Louisa's breath came in ragged gasps, her heart racing with fear.

Louisa's determined steps carried her through the deserted corridors, her heart pounding with anticipation. She had to find Jungkook. The workers' hall, usually bustling with activity, lay vacant and still. Undeterred, Louisa pressed on, her resolve guiding her towards the worker quarters.

Located a short distance from the main mansion, the quarters seemed a world away. Louisa hastened towards the back exit door, her hand grasping the cold metal handle.

As she pushed the door open, her breath caught in her throat. Her heart almost faltered.

Edward stood before her, his imposing figure silhouetted against the moonlit night.

Louisa's panic was palpable, her mind racing with frantic thoughts. She remained frozen, unable to utter a word.

Edward's expression was a mask of calmness, but his eyes betrayed a darker intensity. His jawline was set, his lips pressed into a thin line.

He stepped closer, his movements deliberate and controlled. "Why did you run back, Louisa?" he asked.

His deep, measured voice sent shivers down Louisa's spine. The calmness of his tone only amplified the danger lurking beneath.

Louisa's thoughts scrambled for an explanation, but her voice refused to cooperate. She stood mute.

Edward's gaze narrowed, his eyes boring into hers. "Answer me, Louisa," he pressed.

Louisa's trembling lips struggled to form words, her stammered phrase hanging precariously in the air as she attempted to explain her sudden return to the mansion.

"I...a...a...just...w...wan..." she faltered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart, which threatened to shatter the fragile composure she clung to.

Edward's smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and menace as he advanced slowly, his deliberate steps exacerbating Louisa's growing panic and fueling her desperation to escape the suffocating grip of his scrutiny.

The air seemed to thicken with tension as he closed the distance between them, his piercing gaze pinning her in place like an immovable force.

As Louisa retreated, her back pressing against the doorframe as if seeking support, her eyes wide with fear, Edward halted inches from her, his imposing presence suffocating.

The warmth of his breath caressed her skin, sending shivers down her spine, and his gentle yet firm touch brushed beneath her chin, tilting her face upwards to meet his piercing gaze.