Bella's POV
I never thought that just enjoying the lantern festival would end with someone shoving me toward the river.
'Great, my reputation's already shot to hell, but I really don't need to make things worse with half the city watching,' I thought bitterly.
'If I end up in that water, I'll be tomorrow's juicy gossip all over again.'
Terror shot through me as I windmilled my arms, clawing for anything that might stop my fall.
Then my plummeting body jerked to a halt.
Strong fingers locked around my wrist. I looked up to find Julian staring down at me, his expression unreadable. "Take my hand," he commanded.
'Julian? Saving me? Now?' The shock nearly made me lose my grip.
Julian's face had gone ghost-white, panic flickering in his eyes as he looked at me.
His temples throbbed with visible veins, his eyes bloodshot from strain.
He fought to haul me up, but his strength kept failing, each attempt falling short.
The crowd behind us kept pushing onto the bridge.
