ARIANA
Every single time when a nurse came inside the room, or left the room, I found Enzo looked at me with longing in his eyes. It took me everything not to let him inside. I wanted him to feel the punishment. That one week, I was fighting for my life. Constantly bleeding, being humiliated by the servants of his home while he left me after forcing himself on me. He thought, he could be forgiven so easily. It was laughable.
“He has been staring at the door all this long. He didn't have anything, not even a sip of water. He is waiting for you, honey.” The old nurse spoke in a low tone as she checked my blood pressure. I looked at the door and there he was, rubbing his palms on his jeans nervously while looking at me.
My heart was crazy. After everything, it still wanted me to forgive Enzo because of the face he was making while looking at me. “I mean, it's only fair. I have seen men who would just leave their wives at the hospital after doing worse, blaming the women for being weak.” I growled in annoyance, hearing the old nurse.
She had no idea what I had been through. And after everything, he had the audacity to accuse me of cheating to hide the fact that he freaked out when he found out that I was a virgin. Was it not obvious? Did he expect me to be used before marriage? Did he think, just because I was engaged to Charlie, and loved him, I was supposed to share his bed? I turned 18 a day before I got married. It was silly that he expected to be forgiven over his blunder. While he dragged me to his car in front of everyone for only God knows why.
I wasn't even given any explanation before he forced himself on me. He ruined my first experience for me and here he was, giving people looks as if he was the one in pain. “Tell him that I don't want to see his face. He can leave, if he wants, for all I care.” I growled at the old nuser angrily. I turned my face to the other side. The window gave me a better view. I closed my eyes, hoping I could get some sleep but my tears started spilling.
When I opened my eyes again, he was sitting on the chair, beside me. He was holding my hand into his larger ones. I tried to snatch my hand from his grasp but he didn't let go. “Let go of my hand, Enzo. You have the audacity to be in here after everything.” I tried to scream at him but I nearly choked on my own words and my tears betrayed me again.
“I made a mistake.” He whispered in a small voice. His face was contoured with guilt.
“I should be feeling your guilt after you made Marie punish me for cheating. When did I cheat on you, Enzo? I didn't know you were going to punish me so severely just because I wished to continue my studies.” I cried, trying not to pour it all out at once. I thought I was gonna die with all that anger inside of me.
“I never did those things.” Enzo replied through gritted teeth.
“You're getting angry because I just told the truth. Marie was constantly spitting that on my face while making me… she made me cleaned up the whole basement. Do you have any idea how gross and impossible it was to clean up the old dried blood and shards of flesh off of the ground? I did it while having a high fever, bleeding non stop and starving for seven fucking days. I had to carry a bucket with me so I wouldn't puke on the ground.” By then, I was shaking with anger.
Enzo opened his mouth to say something but he closed it right back when he watched the old nurse entering the room. She checked up on me, then she turned to look at Enzo. “Would you mind applying ointment to her wounds that you gave her?” My heart sank in the pit of my stomach as I heard her suggestion.
After that night, I never wanted him to touch me down there. I was terrified of what would happen. That pain, I never wanted to go through it ever again. Before I could recover from the shock I had received, the old nurse had already handed the ointment to Enzo. And after guiding him thoroughly, she left. Enzo was about to grab the sheets, but I held onto them as if my dear life depended on it.
“I will not hurt you, my sweetness. I am just applying ointment. Nothing else, I promise.” He whispered softly as he forcefully pulled the sheets. I turned my head. I couldn't do much in that situation. I couldn't see where to apply. It was way down the line. He pushed my legs up. My heart leapt in my throat.
Enzo gently pulled the bandage off of my stitches. He pulled his head out all of a sudden. “I did this to you?” I was confused for a moment. It was for the first time when I heard his voice shaking. The great Enzo De Luca was shivering and his eyes were suddenly red and dampened with tears. I held my breath when he suddenly leaned over and pulled me into his arms.
For a moment, I was too shocked to react. Then my arms moved on their own. They wrapped around his torso. My heart was suddenly going so fucking crazy over nothing.
…….
A week passed in a blink. I had started walking but the doctors still recommend a month of bed rest. After the discharge, Enzo walked into the room I was in. I was on a wheelchair. “We don't need that.” He growled at the nurse. That poor woman nacled off, fearing for her life. He leaned over and scooped me up in his arms.
“What are you doing?” I asked breathlessly. His touch had started to make me nervous.
“Carrying my wife out of this place.” He replied to me almost instantly. I avoided looking into his eyes. Enzo carried me to his car then drove us back home. He carried me to my bedroom. He placed me on the bed and walked away.
I was able to breathe when I I watched him leave. “Welcome home, Mrs De Luca.” Amilia greeted me as he placed my comfy clothes on the bed.
“Master has instructed me to help you have a long warm bath. I have prepared everything. Shall we do it now or should I wait?” Amilia asked in a low tone. I nodded my head. She helped me to the bathroom and helped me bathe. The hot water felt heavily on my sore and tired body.
After I was done with the long bath, Amilia helped me out. I was dressing up when Amilia came to me with warm food. I didn't know how hungry I was until I started consuming the food in front of me. I ate everything within ten minutes.
After I had taken my medicine, Amilia left the room with the dishes. I was grateful for the peace and quiet. And I was thankful for being able to sleep on my bed, instead of sleeping in the cold ground of the kitchen.