Chapter 4
“Get out!”
Bang. I slammed the door shut and collapsed onto the floor, gasping
for air.
A single tear slipped from the corner of my eye, one of those hopeless, bitter ones.
Still trying to pull myself together, my phone lit up. A message from Damian.
I tapped it, annoyed, but then my face turned red.
“You look stunning in red.
“Take off the heels. Put some ointment on that ankle.”
“Wait, how did he know my ankle was swollen?
“Ointment?” I thought, confused.
Just as I wondered what he meant, a drone buzzed at my window, carrying a small package.
Inside? A red dress and a tube of ointment.
“So he already knew Alaric’s base was here. He’d figured it out a while ago, but he just didn’t make a move. Looks like I really picked the right ally,” I thought to myself.
I followed the instructions and rubbed the ointment in. Just as I was about to wash up and get some sleep, Alaric came back.
He scooped me up without a word and gently laid me on the bed, holding his own bottle of pain relief cream.
“Easy. Don’t be scared. I’ll take care of it.”
It sounded like it was raining outside. He was soaked, water dripping down his clothes. But even then, he dried his hands before carefully tending to my injury.
I’ve always had a low pain tolerance.
Back when I used to fight alongside Alaric, even a scraped knee would have me sobbing my lungs out.
Every time I got hurt, no matter how bruised and battered he was, he’d stay right by my side, letting me bite down on his arm so I could endure the pain.
Those years were rough. But somehow, I felt safe.
Then one day, he stopped showing up at my bedside.
After that, no matter how many times I nearly died, no matter how bad
the wounds, he didn’t spare me so much as a glance.
But now that I don’t fear pain anymore, he suddenly wants to play caretaker again.
Is this guilt?
His voice came, low and soft, laced with regret.
“Nicole, you’ve lost weight. I’ve been ignoring you lately. I’m sorry.
“I didn’t tell you about the wedding because I didn’t want you to overthink it. Amara saved my life. She almost got killed because of me.
Chapter 4
I have to protect her.
“But I swear, I haven’t touched her. I only love you. Once Damian’s out of the picture, I’ll divorce her. I’ll marry you again. Okay?”
He gently massaged my ankle while I stared at the wedding ring on his left hand.
Then I looked at him, my eyes empty. “Alaric, all these years, did you ever really love me?”
He froze. Then, slowly, he dropped to one knee and wrapped me in his arms. “I did. I do. I only love you, Nicole.”
He fed me warm milk by hand, eyes full of affection.
“Come on. Drink this and get some rest. Tomorrow’s the wedding. If you want to come, I won’t stop you.”
But I tasted it. He’d spiked the milk with sleeping pills.
Enough to knock me out for an entire day.
My throat tightened like I was being strangled.
So this was his version of “Don’t make a scene,”
He lied to my face just so Amara could marry him in peace.
I drank every drop. A single tear fell down my cheek. And inside, I was
dead.
But Alaric smiled, so bright, so gentle. He watched me close my eyes like I was the love of his life.
After everything I’ve gone through for him–the sleepless nights,
Chapter 4
missions, and battles–he didn’t know that I’d long since developed at resistance to sleeping pills.
Later, I heard Amara’s breathy voice right by my car.
“Alaric, you were gone so long. I thought maybe you’d decided to sleep. here instead.”
He pulled her in and kissed her; deep and slow.
“Come on. You know she’s just my human shield. Damian still has his sights on me, so I have to keep her close and use her.
“Damian’s got a soft spot for her. He won’t risk going all in.”
Amara giggled. “Hey, watch where your hands are going. You’re so bad.”
“Hmm. I hate being bad.” Alaric’s voice dropped low and hoarse.
The rustling of clothes got louder. They kissed like they were addicted.
It felt like someone took a knife and drove it through my chest.
With Alaric. I always gave in. Always obeyed. No matter what he asked, I did it, even if it cost me everything.
“Nicole, take the blame for me.
“Nicole, I’ve started a war with Damian. Help me.”
And I always said yes.
Now, finally, they left. But I never slept the rest of the night.
At dawn, I strapped on my backpack and headed out. The island was
empty; everyone had gone to prepare for the wedding.
I handed the slip to the guard at the dock. “One speedboat. Now.”
Chapter S
