Chapter thirty two

Chapter thirty two


Heather

I couldn't move. No matter how much I tried, my legs seem to have lost their sole purpose. I had to move or I was going to die. My brain knew it, but my body didn't seem to get the message.

I was frozen on the spot. I wanted to shut my eyes, to gently fall into the arms of death, to get all these over with, but I couldn't even do that. I couldn't do anything except stand and watch my death approach in slow motion.

Something heavy collided with me and I fell to a hard surface. I expected pain, or at least the monumental peace they say people feel when they were dying, but I felt…nothing. The car had hit me, I was sure of it. So why didn't I die?

A painful groan forced me to open my eyes, my vision was immediately filled with blond hair. I instantly recognized who it belonged to.

“Ethan.” I scrambled to get up from him.

His eyes were squeezed shut, his back splayed on the paved road as blood trickled down his nose. He was groaning in pain.

Panic shot in me, replacing the momentary shock I was feeling. I grabbed his hand and tried to pull him up. He wasn't unconscious, but he seem to have hit his head when he fell. He mumbled something I couldn't hear. I leaned forward to listen closely.

“Take me home.” he muttered.

“No, you have to go to the hospital. You're bleeding.”

“My medicine… take me home, Millie.” he groaned. He managed to sit up and held his head in his hand. I sat beside, bringing my phone out to dial 911, but he snatched it from me.

“I'm fine. Let's go.” he said, but his strained voice betrayed his words. He was clearly in pain.

“You need to see a doctor, you were just hit by a car.” I argued.

“Trust me, I just need to get home. It's just a few scratches.” he forced himself into a standing position, I rushed to help him. He gave me a tight smile as we walked to his car. The doors were still open with the keys in, like he'd rushed out of it immediately to save me.

“You drive. We're just a few blocks away.” he said. He took a tissue and wiped off the blood on his nose.

I didn't question why he wanted to go home instead of the hospital. Ethan had always hated the hospital. He would rather have a doctor come check on him. It was exactly what I planned on doing when we got to the apartment building. He had to see a doctor.

We got to the apartment building in three minutes. I made sure he leaned on me for support as we walked in. He'd tried to put the receptionist at ease as he flashed her a smile, I doubt it worked though. Definitely wouldn't have worked on me.

The elevator ride to our floor took forever. Ethan staggered towards his apartment immediately it stopped. I went after him without giving it much thought. I wasn't going to leave him by himself when he was hurt.

i held him as we walked into his apartment, while he was still groaning in pain. We reached his bedroom, he walked straight to the bedside drawers and brought out a bottle of medicines. He popped a few tablets on his hand and swallowed them dry.

I stared in confusion as he laid on the bed and sighed. His breathing became steady and the bleeding stopped, he didn't seem to be in pain anymore, but I was still worried.

His gaze dropped to me and he smiled.
“Come here.”

I stood there, confused, and wondered what just happened. When he saw, I made no attempt to move forward, he dragged my hand so I fell into bed with him. He pulled me closer, rested his chin above my head, and inhaled slowly.

“I'm fine now. I promise.” he said and began stroking my hair.

“You got hit by a car.” I muttered. I placed my hand on his chest and felt his heartbeat. I tried to calm myself with the rhythm. He was alive. He was here.

He laughed softly. “Well, technically, I simply dragged you out of the way. I didn't jump in front of the car. I have just a few scratches, I think. Nothing too serious.”

“Why?” I choked out. Why does he always have to put himself in danger for me? Why does he have to be the one who gets hurt every single time? Eight years had passed and nothing had changed.

He went silent for a while. Just when I thought he wouldn't respond. He said, “I saw you walking by the side of the road and parked to offer you a ride. That's when I saw what was going on.”

I had a strong feeling that wasn't what he wanted to say, but I didn't ask any questions.

“Are you okay?” he asked. I knew he was referring to the way I froze earlier. I couldn't tell him the reason when he didn't even know that part of my life.

“Yeah, I'm fine. Just…still in shock.” I tried to muster a weak smile and I hoped it didn't betray my emotions. I decided to change the subject before he asked anymore questions.

“What was that medicine you used earlier? You seem to immediately get better after using it.”

“It's nothing. Just some medications that helps with my migraine. I have terrible headaches after I've been through some significant stress, like working overtime.”he said.

I felt a sudden urge that he wasn't sharing the entire truth with me. But I couldn't judge him when I wasn't entirely truthful either.

We stayed silent for a long while, he continued stroking my hair while I feel his heart rates.
“Actually, I think I am in a little bit of pain.” he said.

I sat up immediately. “Really? Where? I told you we should go to the hospital.” I rushed my words, while scanning his body for ay visible injuries.

“Relax.” he chuckled.

He sat up and stared intently into my eyes. Just when I thought he was going to kiss me, he pulled my closer to himself and hugged me tightly. I shook against his body, my mind replaying the accident that almost happened.

“You're fine. You're safe.” he mumbled into my ears and continued stroking my hair.

Another different circumstances, I would have relaxed and drifted into sleep. But even that wasn't working now. I buried myself in his warmth, inhaling his scent, and tried to stop myself from shaking. I wanted to believe his words, that I was fine, that I was safe. But I knew deep down how untrue that was.

Because I would never be truly safe now that my sister has found me. Judging by the ‘accident’ that almost happened today, I knew Nadia won't stop until I was dead.

I just had to make sure I got to her first before she harmed the people I love.