Chapter 12 Chapter 12
"Ma'am, payment mode?" the receptionist asked.
"Cash," I said.
And one by one, I placed the stacks of cash on the counter, which was the remaining payment for the surgery and aftercare.
The receptionist stared at them for a long moment before sliding a paper toward me.
“Kindly sign.”
My hand didn’t shake as I picked up the pen, the way it used to. After last night, nothing inside me reacted the way it used to.
"Cynthia!"
I had barely placed the pen down when someone grabbed my arm and spun me around.
Adrian.
His eyes looked tired, his sleeves were rolled to his elbows, his hair was a mess, and many fine lines of worry were carved on his forehead, as he hadn't slept the whole night.
“Where were—” He stopped mid-sentence. His gaze dropped to the cash behind me. “…Where did you get this kind of money?”
I swallowed hard when the memories of a few hours back flashed in front of my eyes. The humiliation I wore for this money, his cruelty, and my helplessness.
“Cynthia,” he said again, more sharply. “I’m talking to you.”
But still I couldn't form a single word. I didn't want to discuss last night and scratch my wounds, or I didn't think I would be able to control my emotions. I just wanted to forget it like a bad dream.
"Cynthia." This time, Adrian shook me slightly. “Don’t do this.” Frustration was now seeping into his voice. “Don’t shut me out like I am nothing.”
I pressed my lips together and looked down, trying not to break in front of him.
"Whether you accept it or not, we have some relation between us."
My eyes snapped up at him.
“Do you have any idea what last night was like for me?” he said. “Aurora was fighting for her life… and you vanished without answering me."
His shoulders slumped slightly.
“I didn’t know if you were safe,” he said quietly. “I didn’t know where you were.”
I exhaled a shaky breath as I tried my best to stand still on my feet. My legs were almost giving out.
"You... You are my family," his words broke.
I could feel his worry and anger for me. At that moment, all I wanted was to hug him and cry on his shoulder, but I knew how all this would end up.
So like every other time, I just straightened up my spine and put on a facade of bravery.
"I... I am fine, Adrian. You need not worry."
His jaw tightened.
“That’s it?” he asked. “That’s all you’re going to say?” His eyes flicked to the money, still on the counter. "What about this?” he demanded. "What about the night?"
I parted my lips, but before any word could come out of them, I saw the doctor coming toward us.
I forgot everything for the moment – the night, Lucien, Adrian's question – and ran straight to the doctor.
The doctor stopped a few steps away from me. For a moment, he looked scared, finding me running to him, but he soon composed himself. I just prayed his fear was not for something else.
“Dr, How… how is my daughter?” My voice barely came out as I panted heavily. “Is she okay?”
"Have you submitted the remaining..."
"I have cleared the bill," I told him before he could complete himself.
They care more about the money than the person themselves. But I don't have any recent memories of him. This is how this world works.
A person with power and money always wins.
"Please tell me, how is my baby?" I asked him again.
He studied me for a second before his expression softened.
“She’s fine,” he said calmly. “The surgery was successful.”
I let out a deep breath, my shoulders relaxed, my knees almost gave out, and my eyes became a little moist with relief.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you so much.”
He gave a small nod.
“She’s a strong child.”
Yes, she is. My brave baby girl.
“Can I see her now?” My eyes searched his face desperately.
I needed to see her, touch her, and hug her to remind myself that the last night was over. I have my baby with me, and I can start a new life again.
But the doctor's next words broke my hopes.
“Not yet,” he said gently. “She has been shifted to the ICU. The surgery was long, and she is still under anesthesia. It’ll take a few hours for her to regain consciousness,” he continued. “Once she is stable and responsive, we will allow you to meet her.”
Every minute without her felt unbearable. I looked at him helplessly and nodded my head because I had no other choice.
He gave me a reassuring look before excusing himself.
All this time, I felt a heavy presence behind me from which I could not run away, so I turned around to face him.
Adrian.
Because of the doctor’s words, he looked slightly more relaxed than before, but his eyes still held too many questions. Questions I wasn’t ready to answer.
He didn’t ask anything this time.
He just quietly waited for me to speak on my own.
I swallowed hard before finally parting my lips.
“Adrian… until I find a job,” I asked softly, “can I stay with you?”
\~~~~~~
Lucien’s POV
No.
The last word she said to me is still echoing in my head like a gunshot.
I stayed frozen in my place, staring at the empty space of the bed where she had been lying a few minutes ago, her wrist tied, her body betraying her, and completely at my mercy.
She first said it, looking at the ceiling, and then she looked at me... At me ... and said no.
Adrenaline surged through my veins, and I couldn't control myself anymore.
I grabbed the glass from the side table and threw it across the room. It shattered against the wall with a loud sound. The whisky dripped down the wall like blood.
My blood!
"Fuck!" I roared and pulled my hair from my scalp.
The room was as spacious as an apartment, but felt too small and suffocating. Her scent was still in the air, clinging to my skin mockingly, not letting me forget her.
I kicked the chair with full force, and it crashed violently against the dresser.
No one had ever refused me.
But she... She dared to refuse me... Again!
"Aaaaaahhhhhhh," I growled loudly as I tore the bedsheet off the mattress, threw it on the floor, and stomped over it to forget about the night... About her.
But I can't!
She has wounded my ego once again!
I slammed my palm against the wall so hard that my skin burst open, and blood started dripping out of it.
"How dare she!" I snarled, "How dare she say no when I thought I was in control of the game?"
I punched the wall again.
And again.
"Why did I let her play with me again? Why!"
My jaw tightened painfully as I looked down at my bruised hands, and then a humorous chuckle passed my lips.
Years.
I had waited years.
I didn't chase her in the past, but now I can't let her go. Especially not after I have had her taste.
"Cynthia, you are wrong if you think it's over. You shouldn't have reminded me of what was once mine."
You have just lit a fire inside me, and it won't calm down until it reaches you.
Get ready, little mouse.
I am coming...