Chapter 73 Stuck
RORY POV
When I woke up this morning there was a bright pink Ferrari parked by the water fountain.
A key designed in pink sitting on the bedside table beside me.
I stared at it for a full minute before it fully processed. He had actually done it. Within one day. A pink Ferrari sitting in his compound like it had always been there.
That wasn't all. I found a new library wing filled with every dark romance imaginable, rare editions, books I never expected to find, and even unfinished manuscripts from top-tier authors. I genuinely wondered how Alexander pulled that off in twenty-four hours.
He had also told me we were getting the paperwork sorted for Dior and Victoria’s Secret. I had to type and show him “I did not go to school. I will bankrupt them within a week. Please do not do this.”
He had looked completely unbothered by the possibility of me bankrupting Dior. He was so ready to buy me the moon just so I would speak to him.
He looked so desperate I almost felt bad.
Almost. He deserved every second of it.
Now, I was in the car with Luke, two extra guards trailing us in a black SUV. Luke had two guns strapped to his chest, looking like he was ready for a small war. I wondered just how many people Alexander had pissed off to require this much armor for a hospital visit.
I couldn't help but notice the way Luke's jaw was clamped tight, his fingers twitching on the steering wheel. Something told me it had everything to do with Vivianne.
"So, you and Vi stopped hooking up," I said, breaking the silence.
He shot me a bored, icy look. "I'm not obligated to discuss my personal affairs with you, ma'am."
"I know. I'm asking as her friend. I see the way you look at her, Luke. It's deeper than just sex."
His grip tightened on the wheel until the leather groaned. "You don't know me well enough to decide that."
I sighed. He was as stubborn as his boss. "Vi likes you. I don't know if that helps, but you should know it isn't just sex for her. She cried her eyes out when you told her you were engaged."
He tensed visibly, his gaze flickering toward me for a split second. "Is she... is she okay?"
"She's trying. But she's not taking it well."
He didn't say another word until we pulled up to the hospital.
I pushed open the door to my mother's room, and the sterile scent of antiseptic hit me. My heart leaped when I saw her; she looked better. The drooling had decreased, and there was more color in her face. I sat beside her, kissing her forehead and taking her hand in mine.
Suddenly, I felt it. Her fingers tightened around mine. A squeeze.
My breath hitched, and tears immediately blurred my vision. Months ago, she couldn't even move a muscle. This tiny movement felt like a miracle.
"I did something terrible, Mum," | whispered, the weight of the last few months crashing down on me.
“And I know if you weren’t sick you would scold me properly. You’d be so angry.”
She watched my face.
I'd been hiding my life for so long, and I couldn't keep it inside anymore.
"Remember when I told you l had a new boss helping me? It was a lie. Mostly." | wiped a stray tear. "I'm married. I married him because he promised to pay your bills. He promised to keep you alive."
I left out the part where he'd threatened me. I didn't want to hurt her more.
“I know you didn’t raise me to make decisions like this. I know you always told me to keep my morals and my dignity.” I wiped my face with the back of my hand. “But I needed you mum. I still need you.”
I looked up at her.
“The man I married, he’s not a good man. He’s killed people. He’s powerful. My life is in his hands in ways I can’t fully explain.” I swallowed. “He had a wife before me mum. She passed away. And she looked so much like me. The resemblance is so striking I could literally see myself in her picture the first time I looked at it.” My voice broke slightly.
I leaned my head against the bedrail, the words pouring out like blood. "He loves her so much. He only married me to replace her. He doesn't see your daughter, Rory. He sees a ghost. That's bad, right?"
Her hand squeezed mine.
Tears ran down the sides of her face silently.
“I love him mum,” I whispered.
Her head turned slowly toward me. Slowly and deliberately. She shook it. Small but certain. No.
“I know,” I said. “I know I shouldn’t. I couldn’t help what I feel. It’s like he’s the only one who actually sees me and at the same time he’s not seeing me at all. He’s seeing her. It’s so messed up mum.”
I buried my face in her palm. "Please don't hate me. Once you're better, I'll fix this. I'll take you and we'll run away somewhere far. I just miss you so much."
After a while, I cleaned my face and stood up. I couldn't let the guards see me like this. "I have to go, Mum. I'll see you soon."
I stepped out into the hallway, desperate for fresh air. Luke was there, ready to shadow me, but l held up a hand. "I'm just going to the rooftop for some air. Please... can you not follow me? I just need five minutes alone."
He looked at my red, swollen eyes and, for the first time, his expression softened. He nodded
once.
I headed for the stairs, my heart was heavy, needing to breathe. I was suffocating with everything going on. I never chose this part. I didn’t want this life but somehow I’m stuck.