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Layla's eyes flew open and she immediately shut them at the blinding overhead lights. The next thing she became aware of was the pain behind her head.
"Ouch," she softly gasped and rolled to her side to try to ease the pain. It didn't feel any better.
"You are awake," a familiar voice called.
She opened her eyes to see Davian seated right next to her bed, her palm in his grasp. "Davian," she softly called.
He was still dressed in the same outfit as the party. His black hair was a mess and he didn't look as though he had slept a wink.
"Are you in pain?" He asked, staring hard at her face.
She frowned slightly before slowly nodding. Her head hurt but she couldn't remember what had happened.
All she needed was a glance to know she was in the hospital and from the pain, she had clearly been the one hurt.
"What happened?" She asked.
"You don't remember?"
She shook her head. "The last thing I remember was talking to Celine and Rosa. Oh, I think I went to use the restroom."
She paused frowning deeply as she tried hard to remember but it only seemed to make her head hurt worse.
"You were attacked in the restroom."
"Oh."
"Yeah," he said with a saddened expression. "You were hit at the back of your head with a slab of concrete."
She winced and closed her eyes. But she still couldn't remember. She could feel he was telling her the truth but her memory was failing her.
"You still don't remember?"
"Not really."
"Perhaps it's for the best."
She shrugged. "Who was it?"
Davian looked torn for a moment but he couldn't hide it from her. She was bound to notice the butler's absence. "Arthur."
"Arthur?" She asked in horror.
She didn't expect him to go through this direct means to get rid of her. Why didn't he just try to get Davian to chase her off? Attacking her was dangerous.
"You don't sound completely surprised," he replied.
"Yeah," she mumbled. "I owed him a lot of money for a long time. He gravely disliked me."
"I am sorry," Davian muttered.
She peered at him, realizing it wasn't just sadness she was seeing but also guilt. "Why are you apologizing?"
"I should have gotten rid of him sooner; then none of this would have happened."
"Did you kill him?" She asked in horror.
"Let's just say wherever he is, he can't bother you."
"Don't kill hi—"
"Let's get you home. You should worry about yourself more than your attacker. You weren't badly injured but you will be in pain for a few days. Now that you're awake, we will do a few tests to make sure nothing is amiss so I can take you home."
"Davian," she softly called but he was already on his feet, calling the doctor.
Layla woke up by seven but it wasn't until two hours later that she was able to leave the hospital. They had done enough tests to make sure the baby was okay.
After that, the bandages on her head were taken off and a small patch was stuck to the back of her head. She was to leave it on for two days.
In the car, he barely spoke; he just held her close. If her head didn't hurt so much, she would have spoken earlier about what happened.
"You know it is not your fault, right?" she forced herself to say as they rolled into the mansion.
He looked down at her face as she leaned on his shoulders. "Doesn't change the fact that I should have protected you better. From the moment we met, I have constantly put you in danger."
"You haven't," she said with a sigh. "It has all been my circumstances and somehow I keep dragging you into it. I don't want you blaming yourself. I am quite happy with you."
He smiled. "Nothing makes me happier and I promise with my life that I won't put you in danger anymore."
"You didn't," she said with a tired smile. "I love you so much and would not want to be anywhere else."
He lifted her chin and kissed her. When he pulled away, his eyes no longer had that dull look to them. "I love you more than you will ever know."
"I know," she grinned, staring up at him.
"Shall I help you in?" he offered.
"Yes, please."
He carefully carried her across his arms and walked into the mansion. He didn't stop walking until he got her into bed.
"Breakfast will be served in bed," he announced as he got into bed with her.
"Hmm, sounds delicious," she said and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You're more delicious."
"Davian," she blushed, burying her face in his chest. "Don't say that."
He chuckled, a deep sound that reverberated in her own chest. "You know I am right."
"Oh, that reminds me," She lifted her head and looked at him. "How did the truce go?"
"Don't remind me; he's the reason you got attacked."
"Davian, please."
"Don't worry, we already concluded."
She let out a sigh.
Suddenly, his face turned serious. "Would you ever like to get in touch with your mother?"
She froze, her expression faltering for a second. "Why?"
"Arthur mentioned he knew her."
"Yeah, he told me," she said and pulled away from him.
"Did I ask something I shouldn't?"
"No," she said and twisted her fingers. "I am just wondering if I should tell you what I want. You loved your mother."
She wondered if he was bringing it up because of their unborn child. With his family dead, her mother was the only other family the three of them had.
"I am fine with whatever you decide. I understand exactly what she did to you and your father."
Layla sighed and moved closer to him. "I never want to see her again," she whispered. "What she did drove my father to an early grave. I could never forgive that!"
Davian did his best to hide the smile from his face; he preferred this very much. He wasn't planning to keep the fact that her mother had been behind the attack but he would tell her much later.
Right now, all he wanted to focus on was giving her everything she needed to get better and also birth their child.
"That is fine by me."
"Are you sure? I will be keeping our child from their only grandparent."
"I don't want someone that hurt you to be a part of our family."
She wrapped her arms around him. "Yes, we are a family," she loudly announced with glee.
"I love you, Layla. Very much so."
"I love you, darling,” she said.
He gently kissed her forehead as he held her close to his chest.