Chapter 46 Choking

Chapter 46 Choking

Lucian's POV

Tessa looked quiet, and almost too innocent for someone who had just caused Riley to fall down the stairs and end up in the operating room.

Dominic stepped forward calmly, his face serious but steady, then he quietly placed a hand on my shoulder and then moved to stand in front of me.

“How’s she?” He asked softly. His voice wasn’t loud, it wasn’t dramatic—it was just filled with concern.

I sighed and rubbed my face roughly with both hands.

I shook my head twice and tried to speak, but my throat suddenly felt blocked, and I'm that instant I knew I was just seconds away from breaking down completely.

If I tried to speak, I might not be able to control the tears, so instead, I just shook my head sharply again and let out a low sound, almost like defeat.

My eyes were already turning red, but I refused to let the tears drop.

Dominic didn’t stop at that.

He slowly stepped closer and started to talk in a very low, thoughtful voice, as if he was choosing every word carefully. His eyes never left mine, and somehow that made it harder to breathe.

“Riley's strong, man,” he said. “You know that. She's very stubborn. She won’t go down that easily.” Dominic tried to sound hopeful.

“Doctors are good here, and you can trust me on this one, I swear, they know what they’re doing. Head injuries look scary, I know, but people survive worse every day.” He paused, then watched me carefully for a passing second before he continued to speak again. “So don't give up before you hear anything. Hold it together, man.”

Dominic squeezed my shoulder tightly then he gave me one last quick nod before letting out a dry smile of encouragement.

Even as he continued to speak, I could still see the realness in his eyes—Dominic was just as scared as I was. But what the hell was he doing pretending to be strong and trying to give me hope, as if his crazy ass wasn't barely holding himself together?

I didn’t say anything at first, I just stood there, quiet and my eyes only grew redder.

My jaw tightened at the rough lump in my throat—it felt sore, and I could barely handle the feeling anymore.

I feel like being left alone right now.

So I swallowed hard and refused to blink too much because I knew if I blinked too long, tears might fall.

Just while all of this was happening, Tessa slowly stepped forward. “Master… I just wanted to say—” She started to speak from behind, but I didn't let her finish.

I suddenly turned so fast it startled both Tessa and Dominic.

My eyes were blazing. “Don’t,” I snapped sharply. “Don’t say a word.” I shouted at once, my chest rising and falling heavily. “This is all your fault.” My voice only grew louder. “You pushed her down the stairs, didn't you? You harassed her. You caused this.” I suddenly yelled.

I couldn't control my tone. I barely even acknowledged the fact that this was a hospital. I just kept yelling at the very top of my voice.

I just couldn't imagine what would become of me if I lost this chance of getting the truth of Riley.

First, I thought I would never find her after she left five years ago, but destiny gave me another chance and suddenly, Riley surfaced like she'd never left before…and now I won't mind getting rid of anything, anyone who dares to take away this rare opportunity from me.

Tessa’s eyes widened in shock. I bet I've never raised my voice on her like this before.

“No, Master, she was clumsy—” Tessa tried to speak again, but I didn't let her finish before cutting her off mid-sentence.

“What?” I suddenly barked, now stepping closer to her.

“She fell because of you!” I roared, my voice echoing through the waiting room. “You think I didn’t see how you treated her? You think I’m blind?” I spat angrily, my finger already pointing at her.

Tessa frowned, “But, Master—” she tried to speak again, but she suddenly stopped. The words might have got stuck in her throat. She started to tremble in fear.

Then she shook her head quickly, panic rising in her voice.

“I didn’t push her,” Tessa continued, her words tumbling over each other yet ate didn't stop, she kept talking. “She did this to herself! The floor was wet—she was careless and she fell! I didn’t even touch her!”

Tessa's breathing suddenly grew uneven as though she was all her strength to explain this to me.

Her eyes had gone wide—almost too wild—and for a second, I thought they would pop out of their sockets.

She swallowed hard and said again, “She’s always been clumsy. Even five years ago, she was reckless. Look what she did to you, Master.” Tessa's voice trembled before rising sharply. “She broke you. She destroyed you. She deserves to be punished—far worse than this.”

Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and she still wasn't stopping. I bet Tessa didn't know when to stop.

She took a step closer like a mother standing her ground even though she was wrong, “Wait—” she suddenly said.

Her brows furrowed even more, “Master, could it be that you're blaming me because you still feel something—”

She didn't finish, she stopped abruptly, as if she just realized that she had said too much.

But it was already too late.

That was it.

That was all it took for me to go wild and lose whatever little control I had left.

And before I could stop myself, I'd already stormed forward towards her and grabbed her throat instantly.

I wasn't gentle at all.

It was rough and I barely considered that she was a lady.

My fingers had already wrapped tightly around her neck and yanked her up at once.

Her feet left the ground completely and she began to choke loudly, her eyes wide with terror.

I wasn't thinking so I slammed her hard against the wall and the sound echoed sharply in the waiting room.

“Don’t you dare,” I growled, my voice dark and shaking with rage.

“Don’t you dare say another word about her.” I snarled as I pressed her harder against the wall.

Tessa’s nose started bleeding slowly.

Her face had completely turned red, then pale—her eyes widened so much they looked like they would pop out.

Tears started to fall from her eyes without control.