Chapter 144: 144

EVA

In a relationship?

We are in a relationship?

He hugged me tighter and kissed my neck. I don't know what was tingling and yet hurting, my ribs or my heart. “What were you thinking?” He asked so calmly I wondered if he was really calm or hurt.

Dante isn't capable of hurting. He looks so strong and not once have I ever seen him show any other emotion besides anger, and disgust. He wore his heart on his sleeve but it was obvious he selects certain emotions to show.

Either that or he does every one of these and I never really cared to check.

“I'm sorry. I saw the pictures and I thought–”

“How long did the doctor say it will take your wounds to heal?” He suddenly asked, sending me speechless for a couple seconds.

I glanced at my leg and at him, sniffling. “A month, at least. I think.”

He kissed my neck again and suddenly paused. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and stared at it. Messages were coming in like a stream of water but the phone seemed to be silenced.

“Right. Your family is going to be livid.” I turned around to face him. “What did they say? Are you going to be okay?”

He looked at me, “They’re coming over for dinner.”

What?

“Dinner? Your mom or–”

“Unfortunately all of them.”

Ha! Unfortunately! So we're both feeling the same way towards this turn of event. A family dinner here with the entire DeLuca clan while I'm still hurt and can't even raise a fist of someone.

Sure, give me a glass of poison while at it.

Marianne would definitely bring Blair. There was no way she wouldn't, she is her price possession. She does like one. If she brought Blair, and if the family he said is the family I'm thinking, then his father was probably coming too.

And Elena, and Jace. Which other demon lives in that family that I don't know of.

This was going to be a death sentence. Or a bloodbath if I, for some strange reason, survive. Or both, my chaos radar is leaning towards both.

But I can't tell him no, and to call it off. That sounds incredibly selfish even in my head. I caused this. My greed caused this, and it pushed him to make a choice, and he made it. Now the consequences are staring at me right in the face and it's promising death. But how am I supposed to get through a dinner with the people who hated me most in the world, while I looked like…this—broken leg, cracked ribs, bandaged arm, and a face that probably still had pillow marks from sleeping all day? And will still have it if I don't do something about it—with one hand.

Oh the night is slowly steering towards an iceberg.

He kissed my forehead. "Go back to sleep. I'll let you know when it's time."

He left before I could argue.

I can't sleep!

There's no way I would be able to sleep peacefully with such news in my head. How am I supposed to sleep peacefully knowing very well, I could get hit, laughed at, threatened, insulted?

How am I supposed to sleep knowing very well all of my wishes could backfire and I'd end up alone once again.

I trust Dante, I trust that he wouldn't let a thing happen to me but I fear putting him in a tight spot will force him to make a decision.

It's his family whether I like it or not, and at some point he's going to have to make a decision.

My mind was racing too fast with all the possible possibilities, even shutting my eyes felt like I was shutting my brain and it only made me panic the more. I grabbed my bag of meds and pulled out the needed ones, taking it. Hoping they'd calm me down.

I placed it back into the drawer and limped to the duffel bag. I dragged it back to the bed and started looking for something to wear, but my options were limited.

Super limited a blind man can count it. Sweatpants. Why–Whh did I bring sweatpants knowing very well I can't wear it.

A loose shirt, nothing that would impress the DeLuca family. Not necessarily impress, they already hate me.

There was no use trying to impress them. What was one more dinner?

I'm forced to believe I picked out these clothes with my eyes closed.

I regretted not bringing anything nicer, like maybe a dress. No. A dress would only make me look like a stick doll with my leg wrapped up and my arm in a sling. There was no doubt I'd look pathetic, and they would see that, and like sharks they'll smell the weakness like blood and eat me alive.

I groaned and stood up, then limped out. With the help of the first maid I saw, I made my way to the inbuilt hospital. I've decided to spend the day in Lily's ward instead of worrying. At least there, I could pretend everything was normal. The maid helped me down the hall and into the ward. I thanked her and climbed into the small bed beside Lily.

She was still asleep, her face peaceful, and her small hand curled around the blanket. I gently placed her phushie on the other side and settled down. I lay there, watching her breathe, and eventually, I drifted off.

But I didn't know how long I slept until the sound of something shattering jolted me awake. It was so sudden, and I sat up too fast that I think I broke two more ribs from the sudden movement.

My side screamed in protest, and I muffled my scream. I glanced at Lily. She was still asleep, undisturbed by the noise. I took in a deep shaky breath and carefully climbed off the bed. I limped to the door, and opened it.

The maid who helped me earlier rushed down the hall when she saw me and quickly came to my side.

Without a word she helped me to the bedroom.

When we arrived, there were two people flanked on both sides of the bedroom door. A lady who didn't really look like a maid—she was younger, dressed in comfortable clothes, and had a professional air around her. Then there's Nico on the other side, standing guard.

The lady stepped forward, and the maid who helped me left. "Good evening, Ms. Bishop. I'm Clara the new help Mr. DeLuca hired” She helped inside. “I'm a second-year medical student, so it's a two-in-one package."

Where did he even find a student in such a short time? I was only asleep for a few hours.

She smiled then continued. "I'm here to help you get ready.”

“What was that sound downstairs?”

“The family is downstairs for dinner."

They're here? Already? I was only asleep for a short time. Dinner is a nighttime thing, not sunset thing.

"I need to shower," I said. “I won't need help for that.”

Clara nodded and only helped me to the bathroom, then returned. I showered quickly and dried off. When I came back out, she was standing by the door and there was a box on the bed.

Where did that come from?

If it's like I see in the movies, then there should be someone's head or hand there.

"What's that?" I asked. “Open it.”

She nodded and rushed over to the bed. She opened it, and lifted a black sundress from the box. It was long, simple, elegant, and it would cover the cast on my leg.

This is perfect.

I've been worried about my leg showing, about looking pathetic and weak in front of his family. And somehow, he anticipated my panic.

“I'll change now.”

Clara nodded and went out. I quickly dried off and dried my hair quickly and changed. Truly, the dress was long enough to hide the cast, and the loose fit meant it didn't press against my ribs or my bandaged arm. I tried to apply some makeup afterwards but my hands wouldn't stop shaking too much. I dropped the mascara twice, and gave up after that.

Clara helped me out of the room once I was done and Nico fell into step behind us as we walked toward the dining room we were supposed to have dinner in.

I didn't even know there was another dining room.

The moment I stepped through the doors, I saw Blair. She was standing near the table, her eyes scanning the room like she was looking for something to destroy. The second she saw me, her face twisted into disgust.

"What are you doing here?"

I ignored her and focused on the maid on the floor, picking up shattered pieces of ceramic with tape.

Was that what caused the sound?

I glanced around and found Dante, setting a paper in front of Marianne.

There was a cut on his neck.

He straightened up when he saw me and walked toward me.

“You're here.”

“What happened to your neck?”