Chapter 18

"Who could possibly wish me harm?" I found myself grappling with confusion and a wave of fear coursing through my veins. The idea that someone might hire a hit on me was staggering. "What do you mean someone wants me dead? What if they just thought I was someone else and mistakenly shot me?" I rambled, desperately seeking some form of logic in this nightmare, even though deep down I understood that wasn't the case.

"Emerald, I'm a hundred percent sure that this person knew exactly what they were doing. I need to get you out of here before they can get to you," Dan said, the panic escalating in his voice. I shook my head violently, refusing to go home with him. "Oh! Where is Tyson? Why can't they take me to his house?"I could see the shock in Dan's eyes as he looked up from his cell phone, clearly taken aback by my request.

"He's in the same place that they shot you coming out of? You want to go back there?"His incredulous look made it evident he thought I was losing my grip on reality. My body shook from fear, and I felt an overwhelming need to assert myself.

"I don't want to leave this place with someone who I know doesn't care about me. Can you please call Tyson to come and get me?"I fixed my gaze on him, trying to convey the seriousness of my request.

"Because you think he cares about you?"Dan replied, skepticism lacing his voice. I held my ground, unwilling to show any sign of weakness.

"He cares about me, and you've made it clear where you stand with me; I'm not going home with you. You have Stephany at home, whatever that situation is, I don't want to be a part of it," I retorted, my heart racing. He clicked his tongue in annoyance, clearly frustrated, before walking away.

"You are going home with me, and that's final," he stated firmly. Defeated, I sighed heavily as he returned from his call. Without giving me a choice, he scooped me into his arms and placed me in a wheelchair. Despite my protests, he wheeled me outside and helped me into the car, which took us back to his residence.

Throughout the drive, Dan frequently glanced back at me, concern etched on his face. He kept checking the mirrors, ensuring we weren't being followed. " From now on, you are not leaving my side. I wwon'trepeat this,"" he asserted, his tone leaving no room for argument. I rolled my eyes, feeling a mix of annoyance and intrigue at his possessiveness.

"You might see something about you in the press, but please ignore it for your health," he added gravely. I turned away, staring out the window, wishing for the ride to be over. When we reached the house, Anna rushed to meet us with a worried expression. "How do you feel, Mrs. Cross?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern. Despite everything, I managed a small smile.

"I've been better, "I said, trying to downplay my condition as I felt the weight of anxiety settling over me once again. "I'll carry you to the bedroom; I can't push you up the stairs," he insisted. I nodded in surrender, feeling trapped but aware that I had little choice.

"Well, I expected you to turn up eventually, but I didn't expect to find you like this. Things must have gotten tough for you out there?" Stephany remarked with a laugh, tossing her head back. I rolled my eyes, feeling the sting of her words as I wrapped my arms around Dan's neck for support.

"One more word from you and I swear you won't like what I'll do," he warned, throwing a fierce glare at her. Internally, I smirked, feeling a sense of victory. Dan rarely defended me like this, and it boosted my spirits.

As we stepped into our bedroom, dread swept through me anew. Dan carefully placed me on the bed, and I felt the coldness of the sheets, a stark reminder of the loneliness that night often brings. "I'll prepare a bath for you. Anna can make something to eat afterward, and you can rest," he stated, his voice surprisingly gentle. I nodded, though discomfort gnawed at me regarding the arrangement.

" Maybe I should just shower? I don't think I'll be able to get into and out of the bathtub without assistance," I suggested, looking at him with some hope.

"What's wrong with being assisted?" he replied, his brow furrowing as if he couldn't comprehend my reluctance. I inwardly berated myself for hoping for him to offer help while knowing I'd defuse it. "I just don't want to feel like a burden to you or anyone," admitted, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He shook his head earnestly. "You're not a burden to anyone," he insisted.

He stepped away and walked to the bathroom before returning to help me out of my clothes and into a towel. Every movement sent jolts of pain through my abdomen, but I gritted my teeth and focused on getting to the bath. Once I eased into the warm water, it instantly soothed my aching muscles.

"T"e water might be a bit hot, but I wanted to make sure you heal faster," "e said, a small smile breaking through his worried expression. I returned the smile, feeling a flicker of warmth in my heart that he was here. "Thank you so much for doing this. Are there any leads on the person who shot me?" asked, the weight of uncertainty lingering heavy in the air.

DaDan's expression darkened at my question, and I noticed the sudden grimace on his face. "I" sent someone to look for this guy. You don't need to worry; he's good. I'll call him after this to see if he has any news," he said, the tension in his voice evident as he tried to reassure me while wrestling with his worries. I nodded, feeling grateful yet uneasy, knowing that our lives had taken a dark turn, but it was comforting to have Dan near, even in this chaos.

He helped me finish up and got ready for bed in my pyjamas. "Here." Anna brought my food and walked out the door. There's something off about her, but I can't pinpoint it. "How long has Annabelle been working for you?" I asked Dan, who was lying next to me, scrolling on his cellphone as I ate, "Not long, maybe a few months, "he said, giving me a shrug, so he also doesn't know that much about her.

"I need to go and sort a few things out. I will be back as soon as I can." Instantly felt sad but nodded, knowing that he's a busy man. He got up and left. I finished eating and got under the covers. The time was 08:30 pm. "How am I supposed to fall asleep with no one by my side?" I whispered to myself jokingly, but a chuckle that came from the corner of the room made my heartbeat quicken. I whipped my head to the corner near the bathroom door, and Stephany slowly walked towards me with a smile on her face. I looked at the closed bedroom door and back at her, confused.

"Have you been hiding here the whole time?" I asked, unable to hide my confusion and fear. How had she managed to enter? "Has Dan told you why I'm staying with him or why he refuses to kick me out?" I looked at her, waiting for her to finish her sentence, which would probably shatter my heart. "I don't think I want to know the kind of business that has been going around between the two of you," she threw her head backwards and laughed, probably hellbent on letting me know her business. "I'm pregnant, "he said with a wide smile as she brushed her invisible bump.