Chapter 33

Kia “When will you take me to dad?” Harley asked impatiently.

My heart wrenched when my mind went to Vivian. I didn’t know if he was alive or dead. I didn’t get any information about him. Even Lucian couldn’t find out anything about him. I had asked him if he could find out information about Vivian’s condition and he agreed with me. But he always came with a long face and gave me blank news.

It had been almost a week since I had left Vivian wounded. My heart had always been heavy for him, and I had been praying for his safety. That man was something that took away everything from me. He took away my inside fire. I forgot my pride, and I didn’t know how to be stone-hearted.

“Kia?” Harley interrupted me. “I’ve asked you a question?” Her eyes fell to sadness. “I’m missing him so much. I have never lived without him. Please take me to him.”

I nodded, smiling cheerfully. “Don’t you want to stay with me? Is my house not beautiful? I also have a garden that is not big enough like your tulips garden, but quite beautiful. We play together every morning, don't you like it?”

She shook her head, pouting. “I like your house and garden. I am also enjoying every moment with you but..” Her eyes fell. “It all seems incomplete without my father. Every morning, I am used to seeing his face. I’m missing his kisses, his hairstyle, and even his scolds. Why didn’t you bring him with us?”

I eyed my breakfast. I didn’t take a single bite of my pancake because I didn’t have an appetite. “He told me to take you and he didn’t want to come with us. You know your dad. He has so much work to do. When he finishes all his work, he will come to take you. Don’t worry, today I’ll call him and ask when he will come.”

Her eyes filled with joy. “Really. Thank you.”

Poor girl, she was thanking me. What would happen when she came to know about my truth?

“Now complete your breakfast. After that we will go to the public park and make a lot of friends,” I said, and she ate her breakfast.

“Kia.” I heard mom’s voice, and she was coming through the door, worried.

“What happened, mamma?” I quickly stood up.

“Kia, Guarin is here.” She glanced at Harley. “Does he know about her?”

I nodded at her. “Yes, he knows about her, but I don’t want him near her. Could you please take her to my room until Guarin’s presence?”

She smiled before giving me a slight nod. “I’d like to. She is so adorable.” Again, her eyes fell to her. “She is only five, and she knows a lot. She is a smart kid.”

Mom was watching her, full of adoration. For the first two days, she was not happy with my decision, but after that, she could not resist Harley’s innocence and played with her. In these few days, I didn’t realize the day and night with mom and Harley. Sometimes, we watch TV together and sometimes we play together. Isn’t this the kind of life everyone wants? I had a loving mother and an adorable girl.

“Harley, I have brought a few decorative pieces. Could you please help me out with where I should put those pieces? I have heard, Kia, that you are a Master of Arts.” Mamma said.

Harley stood up, proudly. “I’d love to. Let’s go then.”

And they both walked away, leaving me alone. I smiled to myself, seeing them together.

I heard Guarin’s footsteps and the next moment, his shadow appeared at the door. Now I hate him even more after he shot Vivian.

“Mah baby.” I turned around when I heard Guarin’s unpleasant voice. He had a British accent that bothered me a lot. His smirk was on his lips as usual. He stepped on me, scanning me up and down. “Since when did you wear such types of clothes?”

I had worn a long-sleeved top and a pair of loose jeans that differed completely from my taste. “Once, you praised me that even if I wear ripped clothes, I will look beautiful as always. So what does it matter what I am wearing right now? I’m always beautiful to you.”

His lips stretched wider, amused by my statement. “You are my queen, and you will always be beautiful to me.”

But he always checked out every woman in the town.

“Why are you here?” I sat down and he took a place beside me on the couch, even though there were plenty of places available for him.

“I’ve missed you.” He grabbed my face and kissed my lips.

I shoved him away, annoyingly. “I am not in the mood.”

He glared at me coldly. “What the hell is this? You are not in the mood, huh? Have I ever asked you about your mood?” His hand moved inside my top. “I can fuck whenever I want to fuck you, Kia because you are mine. All mine.” He pinched my nipple, and it didn’t arouse me.

“I need some time, Mr. Martin.” I quickly shifted to another couch.

His irritation flared up. “What the fuck is this, Kia? You know me very well! I don’t have fucking patience and especially with you.”

I clenched my hands into fists, feeling a powerful urge to slap his face. “I said I want some time. A lot of things are happening in my life. I need some space to overcome them. I’m just asking you for a few days. It’s nothing big a deal.”

“You want some time because you can’t get over that bastard! I know you slept with him, Kia!!” Anger poured through his veins. “And I have no doubts you are a whore. Don’t forget my kindness, Kia. Three years ago, when you were hooking up each man of the city for money, it was me who had helped you out in your bad times.”

I closed my eyes, breathing hard. Help me? He did nothing, just toying with me around. It didn’t help that it was hell.

“You don’t need to remind me of your kindness, Mr. Martin. I know your generosity.” I felt a sour taste on my tongue when I spelled those ungrateful words.

He pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket.

“What is that?” I asked, surprised.

He opened the box, revealing the large diamond ring. “This is for you. From now on, you are my fiancée. And.” He caught my reaction. “If you want some time, then I’ll be ready to give you, baby.” His lips twisted into a sneer. “I won’t touch you until our wedding night.”

My eyes widened due to shock. “Wedding?”

“Yes, our wedding is in a month.” Before I could understand anything, he grabbed my hand and slipped the ring on my finger. I watched the diamond, which was sparkling through the sunlight, coming from the window.

I could not marry him. Marrying him was worse than hell. I could not spend my entire life with a person who would share me with other men. I had been enduring him for three years and enduring his entire life seemed like drowning in the ocean. It was my life, and he was no one to decide my future. I did not want to become his puppet again. I quickly took out the ring and threw it away. “I won’t marry you, Guarin! I won’t!!” I shouted at him.

He watched me, stunned by my action.

He paused for a moment. Didn’t let out a single word.

It was silent.

Dead silence.

I had gotten familiar with that kind of silence. He was going to hit me.

“Fucking bitch!” He grabbed me by my hair and pulled me to his face. “It’s been a long time since I've punished you. Now I’m going to teach you a lesson: how to be obedient, baby.”

I stared into his eyes, bravely. No amount of pain would stop me from being brave. I had been a blood queen and I would always be a blood queen. “I WON’T MARRY YOU!” I snapped.

He slapped my face as hard as he could. I fell to my knees. He sat down, caressing my cheeks, softly. “Mind your words, Kia. A single word of your goddamn mouth may cause your mother’s life.” He sneered. “And If you are not mine, I won’t let you be someone else!!”

My nostril flared. “You fucking asshole! How can I marry a piece of trash like you? I won’t marry you. Guarin!!”

He raised his hand, and I closed my eyes, waiting for his next blow.

“Don’t hit her!” I heard Harley. “Don’t ever dare to hit her!” She said angrily and took a bite of his hand.

Before I could stop Guarin. “You little bitch!” He hissed and pushed her hard on the other side. She cried out when her head hit the table.

No!!

I quickly stood up. “How could you hit that kid?” I pushed him back, but he grabbed me by the elbow, stopping me.

I watched Harley. She was groaning due to pain. I froze when her blonde hair turned red. “She is bleeding, Guarin.” I cried out in panic.

He clenched his jaw. “Let her bleed to death. I don’t give a fuck whether she dies or lives.”

Mamma quickly carried her in her arms. “Kia, she is bleeding. We need to take her to the hospital.” She was too horrified.

“Let me go.” I tried to snatch my hand from his grip.

“I’ll let you go only on one condition.”

“What?”

“Promise me you’ll marry me,” He said while smirking.

I looked at Harley. There was nothing more important than her life. I nodded. “I promise I’ll marry you.”

I don’t fucking care about anybody else.

I just want her safe.

“I’ll marry you, Guarin. Now let me go,” I gritted.

He loosened his grip, letting me go. His lips curled into the ugliest smile I had ever seen. “I can’t wait to make you mine.”

*********

I was driving the car at full speed.

“She fell unconscious,” Mamma said while checking on her body temperature.

I had wrapped Harley’s wound long ago, but suddenly she got a high fever. And I didn’t have a fucking idea why she got a high fever of a sudden. I knew how to cure common wounds, but I didn’t have enough knowledge of internal injury. And probably she had caught a fever due to her internal organs. Vivian had told me about Harley’s body condition, and she had not been taking her medicines for a week. Maybe that was the reason she fell ill.

I nodded at mamma. “We’re almost there. Don’t worry, Mamma, she will be okay.” I smiled at her forcefully and broke from inside.

We got her into the hospital. After an hour the doctor came out. “How is she?”

“Where is her father?” He asked.

I bit into my lips because of anticipation. “Why? You can talk to me.”

He shook his head. “You don’t even know the type of her blood group, then how will you be able to give me her exact body condition? Please call her father.”

I nodded at him. “I’ll call him.”

He gave me a slight nod before walking away.

I looked at Mamma. Her eyes were sad too, the same as mine. She squeezed my shoulder. “Everything is going to be alright, honey.”

“Why do I feel like there is no way to go? Why do I feel this huge world is so small? Why do I feel uneasy in my heart, Mamma?” I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I felt a panic attack at every moment.

I had been calling Lucian, but his call went to voicemail. I looked at my phone for a few seconds and before I could take my eyes off it, Lucian’s name appeared on my screen. Thank God he got time to call me back.

I quickly picked up the phone. “Luc, where the hell are you? I have tried your number for an hour!!”

“Relax, baby. Relax.” I heard his deep voice. His familiar voice. I felt tears gather in my eyes when I recognized him. He was alive. “Your Lucian is at my place, fighting with his life.” I heard the groaning sound in the background. “He will bleed until the Blood queen comes to save him. Blood queen, could you please come here to collect your beloved Lucian’s corpse?”

“Vivian, what did you do with him? Please leave him alone. If you want me, I’ll come. Please don’t kill him.”

“Relax, don’t be afraid. Now tell me, where is my daughter?”

I could feel nothing but blind terror.

*********