CHAPTER TWELVE: A Line Between Us
CHAPTER TWELVE: A Line Between Us
DAMIEN'S POV
My smile faded at Elena's words, and it was like the air between us shifted. Did she have to ruin it all just like that? Were my actions not evident enough?
Who the hell takes a knife for someone they don't love?
The warmth I had felt from her a few seconds ago disappeared like it was never there. The room was suddenly filled with tension but her expression told me that she didn't realize it.
Her words continued to echo in my head, and my jaw clenched in anger as I tried to block out the words, but it was futile. I had taken our contract too far.
I knew that I shouldn’t have cared because all of this was temporary. She was supposed to be a pawn used to revenge formy brother's death but…
But for the first time in a long time, I felt something real between us, yet she just threw it away like it never mattered
“Right. You're just my wife on paper, I won’t forget that.” I replied, my tone dropping to a colder level and she let out a sigh as she stood up.
“I'll go get you something to eat.” She said but I shook my head in response.
“Save it. You should go back home and rest.” I said coldly as I laid back down and when she tried to help me, I avoided her hand. She had a look of surprise on her face and I closed my eyes so that I wouldn't see her face.
From that moment on, I decided to draw a wide line between us.
“Are you sure you're okay? Your pillow looks crooked, let me help you with it.” She said but I didn't turn to look at her at all. She seemed to finally notice that I was giving her the cold shoulder so she left.
However, she returned minutes later and announced that she had brought food for me to eat.
“Here, you should eat so that you'll feel better. I'll feed you since you can't use your hand now.” She offered with a smile and I scowled at her offer before sitting up.
“You don’t need to do all this, you’re not my real wife, remember?” I muttered and she froze for a moment as she glanced at me with an expression that looked like it hurt.
“I know, I was just worried so I thought-”
“No need. I don’t need your worry or pity.” I interrupted her words with a harsh tone and I could see the hurt flash through her eyes as she dropped the tray before leaving the room.
Maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh…
Because I knew that no matter how hard I tried to push her away, I could never stop caring about her.
Elena wasn’t safe out there. Adrian was still lurking around and he could plan another attack against her since he knew I was injured. He might have been arrested but who knows what other tricks he had up his sleeves.
I decided to do the only thing that could keep her protected. Get her a bodyguard.
I reached for my phone and a groan escaped my lips at the pain that seared through my body immediately. I managed to grab the phone and called my most trusted ally: Gabriel, an ex-military who was trained to kill without hesitation.
He was beyond a fighter or killer; he was skilled enough to blend into the background like he never existed, but he was also sharp and swift enough to intervene when needed.
I knew that I could trust him with one thing and that was Elena’s life and safety. The phone rang twice before he picked it up, his voice echoing through the phone
“I have a job for you. I need you to protect my wife. Follow her everywhere,” I instructed him over the phone and when he was about to answer, I added another instruction. “She shouldn't know.”
“Yes, sir,” he replied curtly before I ended the call and I let out a sigh of frustration. This way, I could protect her without letting her get close to me again.
*******
After spending a week at the hospital, I was finally discharged. The doctors had advised me to stay and rest for a little while but I was done with the hospital. The sooner I returned to work, the sooner I would get revenge for Lucas.
Elena was the one who helped me with the signing of the discharge documents, and even though I was constantly cold towards her, she still hovered around me while making sure that I was okay.
It must be guilt. Why else would she stay with me?
“I’ll handle myself from here, you don't need to act like you're worried. The media isn't here and people aren't watching.” I said plainly as I walked out of the hospital with a cast on my shoulder.
“Are you sure you don’t need my help? You can't drive and-”
“Elena, stop it already. I can take a cab back home.” I replied harshly, my voice sharper than I wanted and she crossed her arms.
“You either get in the car with me or we both board the cab together. You can't argue with me.” She retorted as she walked past me and headed for the car. I knew I couldn't say no so I followed her and got into the passenger's seat.
The ride back home was silent as she drove and I couldn't help the guilt that filled my system. But no matter the guilt I felt, I had to remind myself that we were nothing but a contract agreement.
The moment we arrived home, I went straight to my study. I needed work to distract me even though I knew I wouldn't be able to type well but I still had to get myself busy.
But the moment I turned on my laptop, an alert flashed across the screen. A transfer had been made and it wasn't a small one.
I clicked on the details, and my heart nearly stopped when I remembered the only one who had access to my card.
Elena.
She had transferred a huge sum from my account without my permission.