Chapter 21 IN GREAT PAINS (Demilia’s POV)
The word disarmed me completely. I never expected in my wildest imaginations that he would make use of such word. “Ethan… I just need rest.”
“No.” His voice trembling with obvious frustration. “What you need is a doctor.” My chest tightened as he said that. I already know that nothing can make him change his mind.
“No hospitals, I beg you, please.” His eyes narrowed slightly, confusion passing through them, as he contemplated on what to do.“Why not?”
Think well. Think. But I wasn't able to come up with something reasonable. “I don’t… like hospitals.”
“I'm very much aware that of people don’t like hospitals.” He stepped closer almost intimidating. “But they go when they’re sick. .”
“I’m not sick. Nothing is wrong with me, stop assuming things.”
“Then why are you in pain if you are okay?”I froze as I don't have any answer for him. That one word...pain...slipped from my mask too easily. Ethan noticed rather too fast how I reacted. Of course he did. His voice softened dangerously,even to the point I was shocked.
“What kind of pain, Demilia?” “I said I’m fi...”
“You are not fine.” He grabbed my wrists, gently but firmly, lifting them. “Look at you. You’re shaking.”
“I’m just tired, nothing to be worried about”
“You’re terrified.” He was right in every word. I hated that he was right at same time. Slowly, he lifted a hand toward my cheek, but I stepped back instinctively. He froze when bare body made contact. For a moment, something appeared in his eyes, maybe hurt? He tried again, slower this time, his fingertips brushed my face.
“You’re burning up way too much,” he murmured, echoing Lena’s words.
“I’ll be okay.” Of course he didn’t believe me
“Tell me what hurts.”
“I can handle it,” I whispered, not ready to open up to him. I would rather die in pain than expose myself to his torture as his anger can't be appeased easily.
“I don’t want you to handle it alone. I want to go through the process with you.” His voice dropped into something almost vulnerable. “I want to help you, really help ” My eyes stung, and I looked away. He studied me for several seconds, then asked softly:
“Demilia… are you hiding something from me?” My heart almost stopped at the thought of him ever finding out what I was hiding. I forced a laugh. “Why would I hide anything?”
He held my gaze. “Because you always do when something scares you.”
My breath caught, hating it so much that he has a point. Ethan took a deep breath and cupped my jaw gently. “I’ll call the doctor myself.”
“No!” The panic in my voice startled both of us, to the point he narrowed his eyes. “Why not?”
“Because...because I don’t want anyone in this house tonight.”
“That makes no sense.” He moved closer. “What are you afraid of?”
Everything was scaring me. From the baby, to me keeping it as a secret, the past that's haunting me. Then again is what his reaction would be if he ever found out the truth.
“Nothing,” I whispered, but he didn’t move.
Then…
He stepped behind me, wrapping one arm around my waist as I nearly lost my balance again.
His gently breath brushed my ear.
“You’re going to tell me the truth,” he murmured, “whether you like it or not.”
I swallowed hard, fighting hard to not be intimidated by his presence. He calmly guided me toward the couch, lowering me carefully. His thumb occasionally brushing my wrist...right over my racing pulse. “What are you hiding?” he asked again.
I opened my mouth... a sharp, stabbing pain punched through my abdomen.
I gasped, unable to control my breathing., Ethan froze just by watching me.
“Demilia?”
The pain intensified, hot and twisting, more than ever. I hunched forward, clutching my stomach in great pain. If it was possible, I would have preferred not showing any sign of pain before him as he would make things worst. He wasn't going to let me off the hook easily without reasons, and that's if he decides to mind whatever I had to say.
He crouched instantly in front of me, panic ripping through his features.
“Where exactly does it hurt?” I couldn’t speak out, and that's because I had no intention of doing so. I couldn’t even breathe well “Look at me.” His voice shook. “Demilia, look at me.”
I lifted my eyes with so much difficulty. His expression twisted into something dangerous.
“I’m calling my private doctor.”
“No,” I whispered hoarsely, not allowing him to finish the sentence.
“Demilia...”
“No doctors,” I gasped, but not having the right words to beg him. Ethan is the kind of person that's always bent on having only his opinion carried out without minding if it would hurt the other. “Please, that's all I want from you now.”
“Why did you say that?” he demanded. I shook my head desperately, but still not ready to tell him my reason.
Tears blurred my vision as another wave of pain tore through me that very instant.
Ethan grabbed my face gently, forcing my eyes to stay on his.
“Tell me what’s wrong or I will not let you to rest.”
I breathed out one trembling word, but unable to complete it.
“I… can’t.” His jaw clenched, just the way it used to when he's ready to torture someone.
“Yes,” he whispered, “you can.” I closed my eyes, but accepting his words.
The world felt like it was slipping.
And then....the next thing that followed was darkness. My body sagged forward beyond my control, but EEthan caught me instantly.
“Demilia!” His voice felt distant, like we were worlds apart, more like echoes underwater.
I felt him lifting me into his arms. His heartbeat hammered against my cheek.
“Stay with me,” he whispered urgently. “I’m right here. Stay with me.”
My lips parted as consciousness slipped. “Ethan…” I whispered faintly.
His grip tightened more firmly on me. “I’ve got you.”
Then...everything went black.