Chapter 176 176
I was nervous and uneasy the whole day that I was with Aiden. My fear intensified every time he got close to my daughter and looked at me as if to intimidate me. I just tried to act normal in front of Vanna even though I was so scared... Every minute I was with him, all I felt was fear.
I couldn't bring myself to think that he was the man I managed to love... He was so different from the Aiden I used to know.
I couldn't take my eyes off my surroundings while we were having a picnic. Aiden tried to act like nothing was wrong between us. He acted like the Aiden I used to love before, but I didn't feel anything aside from fear... I was scared for my daughter.
"You don't seem happy today, Cres."
We were on the veranda after I put Vanna to sleep. I still couldn't breathe properly because of the fear. I didn't know what to do anymore... I really wanted to ask Luca for help, but I didn't want to endanger my daughter with a wrong move... I'll wait for the right moment.
I flinched when Aiden suddenly stood up, his forehead creased. He seemed annoyed that I had been ignoring him. I gasped when he grabbed my arm and violently pushed me against the door. Tears streamed from my eyes as he sealed my lips with a kiss.
I've never been this scared in my whole life. I never thought that the man I truly loved would scare me like this... I never thought that the man I truly loved would give me a trauma that I'll bear for the rest of my life.
I tried to push him as hard as I could. I was about to push him again when I was surprised by someone who pulled him away and threw him to the floor... it was Luca.
It was like hope came to me when I saw him. He looked at me... his fist and jaw clenched. He immediately took an iron chair and approached Aiden, then hit him with it. He hit Aiden with it four more times before he finally lost consciousness.
Luca seemed serious about killing him. He already took out a gun and pointed it at Aiden. Even though my whole body was still trembling, I tried to stop him... I hugged him tightly as if that's where I was getting my strength.
"I'm sorry for being late... I should have realized it earlier... I'm so sorry, Crescent," he muttered and caressed my back. It somewhat helped me to calm down.
I remained silent, but still shaking, while hugging him. I felt that if I let go of him, my body would completely give up because of its trembling... I repeatedly thanked him in my mind for coming... If he hadn't come, I wouldn't know what I would have done.
We stayed in that position for a long time before he finally carried me and brought me to my room. He gently made me sit on the bed.
"W-Where are you going?" I held his arm when he was about to leave.
"I need to take care of Aiden... I promise to punish him for what he did to you and our child. I won't let it pass, Crescent," he muttered and touched my cheek. He gently caressed it with his thumb.
"W-What about his men around? W-What if they come back and do something bad to Vanna." I don't care what happens to me, as long as nothing bad happens to Vanna.
"My friends already took care of them. I already have men guarding the outside... I won't let anything bad happen to you and Vanna... I'll be back soon, hmm?" he asked in a soft voice.
"B-Be careful," I whispered even though I didn't want him to leave.
Luca just nodded and finally went out of my room. I just stared at the floor. I'm trying to pull myself together. I was so scared... I didn't expect that Aiden would give me the worst trauma in my life. He was a great pretender. I didn't see his intent, or rather, he didn't let me see it... He was just an overly obsessed man. He didn't love me at all... I couldn't believe I loved a man like him.
I tried to take a bath after that. I scrubbed every part of my body that Aiden touched, but whatever I tried to do, the memory of him still lingered in my mind... I don't know if the fear he instilled in my system will ever go away.
After a long bath, I went to Vanna's room, who was sound asleep. I sat on her bed and slightly smiled. I think this is the first time I've been thankful that my daughter is hard to wake up and she didn't see what happened... I'll just have to explain to her if she asks about Aiden.
I lay down beside Vanna and hugged her. She moved a little and hugged me back. I just smiled while staring at my daughter's peaceful face. I felt better when she hugged me with her small arms. I kissed her temple and gently stroked her hair... I'll sleep beside her tonight. I can't sleep alone like this.
I don't know how long I was lying beside my daughter... I still couldn't sleep. I just sighed and kissed Vanna's cheek. I tried to close my eyes and sleep, but it feels like Aiden is just around every time I close my eyes... It scares me. I know he's not here anymore, but it feels like his presence is still here.
"Crescent..."
I froze and slowly opened my eyes when I saw Luca. He sat on the other side of the bed next to Vanna. I looked at his hair when I noticed it was wet.
"Sorry I took so long... I took a shower first before coming here," he mumbled and caressed Vanna's hair.
"My body was covered in blood," he added.
I bit my lower lip. "D-Did you kill him?" I'm no longer concerned about Aiden... but I feel like I won't have peace even if he dies.
"Can I kill him, Crescent?" he asked in a serious voice.
I froze. I looked away from him and held onto the blanket tightly. "I-I don't want you to kill him."
"I know you'll say that... I didn't kill him, but I made him suffer in many different ways. I tortured the hell out of him... He's in our headquarters now," he whispered.
I fell silent and just stared at Vanna, who was still sound asleep. She was even snoring softly. I sighed and looked at Luca again.
"Luca... even if you don't kill Aiden... can you protect Vanna? C-Can you promise me that you won't let anything bad happen to Vanna even if Aiden doesn't die?" I asked in a low voice.
Luca stared at me, his hand went on my cheek. He gently caressed it with his thumb while staring at me. "I will protect both of you... you and Vanna, even you. I won't let anything bad happen to you again," he murmured while still looking at me.
I slightly smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Luca."
Luca just smiled before removing his hand from me. "Go to sleep... you look sleepy already... I know you're still scared. Don't worry, I will stay here. I will watch over you and Vanna until you fall asleep."
I was stunned by what he said. "Y-You might be tired too. I'm fine now... You can go home and rest too."
"Don't mind me. Just go to sleep... I know you can't sleep because you're still scared. I won't leave here; I'll watch over you and Vanna."
I just bit my lower lip and avoided his gaze. "P-Please wait for me to fall asleep... To be honest, I-I really can't sleep," I stuttered.
Luca nodded. "Yes... I'll wait for you, always... Now, sleep tight. I'll protect both of you from everything."
I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. I don't know why I suddenly couldn't see Aiden anymore. It was as if I was reassured that Luca was just here, and I was able to close my eyes without seeing Aiden in my mind... He said he would protect us. There was something different in the tone of his voice and in his eyes when he said that... It was as if he was saying that he was ready to do everything just to keep Vanna and me safe.
It was comforting. It lessened the fear I feel in my heart... I was able to sleep soundly because of that.