“I wanted to come last night, when the Doctor phoned, but he said you were sleeping and that you needed to rest.”
“That’s Doctor Malone. He’s really nice.”
“That’s good. He sounded pleasant when I spoke to him.”
We go silent for a few seconds before Kim speaks again. “You can’t go back to him, Lucy.” Her eyes plead with me, her grip on my hand tightening a little, and I can hear every bit of emotion that she is feeling in her words.
“I know, and honestly, I’m not sure that I have a choice anymore. The doctor has had to inform the authorities of my injuries. I don’t think the evidence that I have is enough, but I may just have to hope that it is.”
“And when you get out of here, you’re not going back to that apartment,” she says.
“I don’t want to go back there.”
A clearing of a throat startles both of us, and our heads both turn to look at the door.
“Good, because you’re not leaving here unless you’re coming with me…”
Chapter Twenty
Hero
Neither of us had noticed that the door had opened, too wrapped up in our turmoil of my current situation, so his appearance was sudden and unexpected.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper.
“You didn’t think that I was going to not come and visit, did you?” he asks, moving into the room more and closing the door behind him. I shrug my shoulders and bite my bottom lip. I’ve kept the tears at bay but seeing him is pushing me to the brink.
Kim backs away, allowing him to take her place. His hand reaches for mine, lifting it as he places a light kiss on the back.
“Hey, you,” he says with a smile.
“Hey,” I manage to choke out as the first tear escapes.
“I’m gonna go and get us some coffee,” Kim says and then leaves the room.
“I’ve missed you.” His voice, God, it makes my broken heart swell.
“I’ve missed you too.” I barely get my words out as my elation from seeing him almost chokes me. He sits on the edge of the bed but keeps his body facing me. I move forwards, and as much as it hurts, I wrap my arms around his neck. His arms go around my waist, but he is careful not to squeeze me. He saw my bruises, and he will know that they are still there, with more added to the collection.
“I’ve got you,” he says quietly in my ear. “I won’t let him hurt you anymore, Lucy. I love you too much to watch him destroy you.”
His words open the floodgates that I have been desperately trying to keep shut. My grip on Cal tightens and I bury my face in his neck. He rubs my back, allowing me time to get my emotions out. I’m an absolute mess.
I’ve attempted to try and get some of my independence back.
I’ve allowed myself to believe that I can show Michael that he is going to pay for what he has done.
I’ve made out that I’m some sort of shitty heroine that has vowed to battle him.
I’ve hidden my feelings. Buried my true self.
And for what?
To end up in the fucking mess that I am in now?
To stop him from abusing another?
To give him more opportunities to push my health to decline, not to mention my mental state?
