Chapter 24

I barely remember climbing the stairs. My legs were heavy, each step a battle against the weight of exhaustion and fear. Behind me, I could hear Dan’s measured footsteps, steady but tense, like he was trying to control every ounce of emotion in his body. It rained earlier and he took me for a walk in the garden and even thought I didn't want at first it really helped come to terms with what happened, i've accepted it and ready to move on.

The bedroom door was open, our bedroom, the same room that had always felt like a cold cage. Tonight, it felt like the only safe place left in the world. My knees almost gave out as I crossed the threshold.

“Easy,” Dan said quietly. His voice didn’t have its usual bite; it was low, careful, almost something that i've never been accustomed to. His hands caught my elbows, steadying me as if I might break apart any second.

“I’m fine,” I whispered automatically, though my voice was shaky and small.

“No, you’re not,” he replied, firm but calm. “You don’t have to be fine right now.”

Those words made me blink. Dan Cross, my cold, calculating husband, telling me I didn’t have to be strong? It didn’t sound real. He guided me to the edge of the bed and crouched to untie my mud-stained shoes. I stared down at him, too stunned to move. A part of me thanked the lucky stars that his mother kidnapped me because it has only brought us closer, now i'm living the dream of every woman on earth.

“You don’t have to do that,” I murmured.

“Yeah, I do.” His tone left no room for argument. “You’re shaking. Sit still.”

I swallowed hard, my throat burning. I didn’t know if I wanted to cry or scream. “I didn’t think… I’d make it back.”

Dan paused, his hands stilling for a second on my ankle before he continued unlacing the other shoe. “You’re back now. That’s all that matters.”

I let out a shaky breath. My voice cracked as I whispered, “I thought you’d be angry I… disappeared.”

“Oh, I was angry,” he admitted. He looked up at me, and for a moment his dark eyes were softer than I’d ever seen them. “But I was more… terrified. I didn’t know if I’d see you alive again.”

Hearing that from him left me speechless. He stood and moved to the nightstand, picking up the glass of water there. “Drink.”

I obeyed without thinking, the cool water sliding down my dry throat. When I lowered the glass, he was still watching me. He sat beside me, the warmth of his presence brushing my shoulder. For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then he surprised me again. “I’m sorry, Emerald.”

I turned to him, confused. “For what?”

“For not being there when you needed me.” His voice was low but sincere. “I’ve been… a lousy husband. I let other things take priority. I shouldn’t have.”

The apology left me even more off-balance than the kidnapping had. I didn’t know how to respond. My heart thudded painfully against my ribs as his gaze dropped to my trembling hands. "You can stop apologizing, I think I forgive you."

Without thinking too hard, he reached for them, wrapping his warm fingers over mine. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”

The contact sent a wave of heat through me, emotional and… something else. My chest tightened with a storm of feelings: guilt, fear, confusion, and a strange craving for this comfort I didn’t think I wanted.

Before I could second-guess myself, he leaned closer. His lips brushed mine softly, hesitantly, as if giving me the chance to pull away.

I didn’t.

The kiss was warm, gentle but steady. My eyes fluttered shut. For a moment, it was just us, suspended in a fragile bubble where the world couldn’t touch us.

We've been kissing a lot lately, and it makes me feel all giddy and happy inside, until the warmth turned into heat. A spark ran down my arms before I even realized it. Dan jerked back slightly, and I gasped when I saw smoke curling from his jacket sleeve.

“Oh my God!” I scrambled back, staring at my hands. They trembled, faintly glowing like embers beneath my skin. A blackened patch marred the sleeve where my fingers had rested.

Dan didn’t yell. He didn’t even look shocked. He shrugged the jacket off in one swift motion and dropped it to the floor.

“Breathe,” he said gently. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“I know,” he interrupted, his tone steady. “You’re safe here. Whatever that was… you’re safe.” I clutched my hands to my chest, trying to will the heat away. My chest heaved. My body didn’t feel like mine anymore, and that terrified me. Dan watched me closely but didn’t press. He helped me lie down, tucking the blanket around me with surprising care.

“Rest,” he murmured. “You need it. I’ll be here.” For the first time in weeks, I let my eyes close. Exhaustion wrapped around me, and the world faded into darkness.

When I woke up from my nap, something was terribly wrong.

Darkness swallowed everything. At first, I thought it was still night, but the soft sounds of the house, the distant clink of dishes, told me it's still day light.

I blinked. Nothing.

My breath hitched. “Dan?” My voice shook. My hands groped blindly in front of me until they hit the cool wood of the nightstand. I couldn’t see. Panic clawed up my throat. I pushed the blanket back and froze when a sharp ache flared in my lower abdomen. My hand instinctively pressed there, and met a curve that hadn’t been there before.

A bump.

"Dan!" I screamed at the top of my lungs in panic, I can't see and I need him to hold my hand. I heard loud footsteps running up to the bedroom. "Hey, whats wrong?" Dan's soft voice asked as I felt his hands grab mine. "Are my eyes open?" I immediately asked, confused and scared shitless. "Yes, why?"

"Dan, I can't see anything. Why can't I see anything?" I instantly started crying feeling like I am trapped and there's no way to escape this hell. "What do you mean you can't see anything?" I could the panic in his voice as he effortless scooped me up and placed me on his chest comforting me. "Oh my god, Emerald." I felt his hand brushing the baby bump that wasn't there an hour ago. "How long have I been sleeping?"

"You took a nap, it was not even more than an hour." I bawled straight out feeling like what's happening is my ancestors punishing me for what i've done and Dan consoling me. My mind immediately though of Tyson. I'm running out of time, I need to figure out the truth.