Chapter 95 United
Chapter 95 United
Dominic sat slumped in a chair next to Evelyn's hospital bed, his eyes red from lack of sleep and worry.
He watched her steady breathing, each rise and fall of her chest a small reassurance that she was still there, still fighting.
The sterile smell of the hospital mixed with the soft hum of medical equipment created an unsettling backdrop to the scene.
Evelyn's father stood on the other side of the bed, his expression somber and tired.
Next to him was Ethan, his face a mix of anger and sorrow. The tension in the room was palpable, especially when Ethan's gaze locked onto Dominic.
Unable to hold it in any longer, Ethan suddenly erupted.
“You jerk! How could you do this to her? How could you hurt her so badly and leave when she needed you the most?”
Dominic flinched at Ethan’s words, his own guilt and regret washing over him. He stood up, facing Ethan but keeping his voice calm.
“Ethan, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I love her. I never wanted to hurt her.”
Ethan’s fists clenched at his sides, his eyes blazing with anger.
“Love her? You think that’s enough? You left her when she needed you, Dominic. You broke her heart. Do you have any idea what she’s been through because of you?”
Dominic's face tightened with pain and remorse.
“I know I made mistakes, Ethan. I’m here now, trying to make things right.”
Evelyn’s father, sensing the rising tension, placed a hand on Ethan’s shoulder.
“Ethan, calm down. This isn’t the time or place for this. Let’s focus on Evelyn right now.”
Ethan took a deep breath, his anger still simmering but slightly subdued. He turned away from Dominic, unable to look at him any longer.
Dominic sank back into the chair, his eyes returning to Evelyn, filled with a mix of love and regret.
The room fell silent again, the only sound the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor.
Each beep was a reminder of Evelyn's strength and the fragility of the situation, a reminder that despite the anger and the hurt, they were all here for her.
———————————————————
Evelyn's eyes fluttered open, her vision slowly coming into focus. She took in the sterile white walls of the hospital room, the faint hum of machinery, and the worried face of her father by her side.
The weight of exhaustion and pain made her movements sluggish, but she managed a small smile at her father.
“Dad…”
she whispered, her voice hoarse and weak.
Her father leaned in closer, his eyes filled with relief.
“Evelyn, thank God you’re awake.”
He gently squeezed her hand.
Ethan, who had been sitting nearby, sprang to his feet.
“I’ll get the doctor,”
he said, rushing out of the room.
Evelyn’s eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar face that was conspicuously absent. A pang of disappointment and sadness hit her when she realized Dominic wasn’t there.
Her father noticed the shift in her expression and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
“He just stepped out to take a call, sweetheart. He’ll be back any moment now,” he reassured her.
Evelyn felt a wave of relief wash over her. She nodded slightly, allowing herself to relax a bit, her father’s words soothing the initial hurt.
“ my babies- “
“ sweetheart. They are fine. You’re fine “
She felt the burden lifted off of her shoulders making her relax. She was not tense anymore.
Just then, the door opened, and a familiar face appeared, holding a large bouquet of bright, cheerful flowers.
“Dylan!”
Evelyn exclaimed, a genuine smile spreading across her face.
Dylan walked in, his presence filling the room with warmth and positivity.
“Hey, Evelyn. I brought you some flowers. Thought you could use a bit of color in here.”
He placed the bouquet on the bedside table and pulled up a chair next to her after shaking hands with her father who smiled at him.
“ how did it happen ? Because I wasn’t there with you “
He smiled cheekily making Evelyn to giggle at his words. She remembered the time when she slipped from the stairs but he saved her and she was his thankful for him.
They fell into an easy conversation, talking about light-hearted topics and catching up on life.
Dylan’s humor and charm brought a sparkle to Evelyn’s eyes, and for a while, she forgot about the pain and the hospital surroundings. Her laughter filled the room, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere earlier.
Her father watched the interaction with a soft smile, grateful for the momentary reprieve from worry.
Evelyn's spirits were visibly lifted, her energy seeming to return bit by bit as she and Dylan reminisced about old times and shared new stories.
Just as Dylan was finishing a particularly amusing anecdote, the door opened again. Dominic walked in, his eyes immediately finding Evelyn.
He paused, taking in the scene: Evelyn smiling brightly at Dylan, her father watching over her with a look of relief, and the cheerful bouquet of flowers brightening the room.
For a moment, Dominic felt a pang of jealousy, but it was quickly overshadowed by the overwhelming relief that Evelyn was awake and smiling.
He moved to her side, gently placing a hand on her arm.
“Evelyn,”
he said softly, his voice filled with emotion.
She turned to look at him, her smile faltering slightly as the complicated feelings surfaced.
“ thank god you’re awake “
But she took a deep breath, focusing on the here and now, grateful for the support of everyone around her.
As the conversation with Dylan wound down, Evelyn's father stood and gestured towards the door.
“Dylan, let’s give them some privacy,”
he said quietly. Dylan nodded in understanding and stood up, giving Evelyn's hand a gentle squeeze before following her father out of the room.
The door clicked shut, leaving Evelyn and Dominic alone. The room was silent, the weight of the moment pressing down on them both.
Dominic, who had been holding back his emotions, finally let the tears fall. His shoulders shook as he buried his face in his hands, unable to contain the overwhelming guilt and sorrow any longer.
Evelyn’s heart ached at the sight of him so broken. Despite the pain and confusion she felt, she couldn't bear to see him like this.
“Dominic,”
she whispered, reaching out to gently touch his arm.
“What happened? Why are you so upset?”
Dominic looked up, his eyes red and filled with tears. He took a shaky breath, trying to find the words.
“Evelyn, I… I’m so sorry. I’ve been keeping so much from you. I thought I was protecting you, but I was just making things worse.”
She frowned, her concern deepening.
“What are you talking about?”
Dominic wiped his eyes, his voice trembling as he began to explain.
“I was scared, Evelyn. Scared that Matthew could hurt you. He’s dangerous, and I couldn’t let him get to you. I had to take drastic measures to ensure your safety.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened in shock.
“What did you do, Dominic?”
His voice broke as he confessed,
“I… I killed them, Evelyn. Matthew, Lucian and Mateo . I had to make sure they couldn’t hurt you anymore. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you to them.”
The weight of his words hung in the air, and Evelyn felt a mix of shock, fear, and an odd sense of relief.
She couldn’t believe her eyes that once she had a past with those men were now dead.
She struggled to process what he had just told her, her mind racing with questions and emotions. She could see the depth of his regret and the heavy burden he carried.
“Dominic,”
she said softly, her voice shaking.
“You did all of that… for me?”
He nodded, tears streaming down his face.
“I couldn’t let anything happen to you. I know it doesn’t excuse my actions, but I did it because I love you more than anything. I’m so sorry, Evelyn.”
Evelyn’s heart broke for him, for the pain and guilt he was carrying. She reached out, pulling him into a tight embrace.
“We’ll figure this out, Dominic. Together. But you can’t shut me out like this anymore. We have to face things together.”
Dominic clung to her, his sobs quieting as he took comfort in her presence. The road ahead was uncertain and fraught with challenges, but in that moment, they found solace in each other’s arms, ready to face whatever came next together.