His mask faltered before completely shattering at my feet.
Christian pummeled a fist into Harry’s face.
He looked like a madman, punching over and over again. Not once stopping. Contorted in excruciation—of the ache he suppressed for the past seven years. For his mother and for himself.
How have I never noticed the daunting expressions? The exhaustion sagging his skin? The look of utter depression coating his gaze?
He came for me, yet I never stayed for him.
It took four police officers to make Christian stop. The others were handcuffing the board members.
In the meanwhile, I rushed to Arun. Taking the jacket of my pantsuit off, I wrapped it as best as I could around his shoulders and pulled in for a hug. He instantly started sobbing.
We stayed like that until the paramedics took Arun away for a check-up.
Rowlen picked up the file and with his head told me he’d be outside.
Christian’s hand was covered in Harry’s blood.
“Adelaide—”
“Follow me,” I swiped the bottom of my nose.
Multiple police cars lined the driveway and the road in front of the house. Two ambulances were on sight, I walked to the first one.
A young woman turned her head as we approached. “Can I borrow a first-aid kit?”
She looked at Christian’s hand. “I can clean that up for you really quick.”
“That would be great?—”
“I’d prefer if my wife did it,” he gruffed.
The woman smiled as she grabbed the first aid kit from a top shelf. “My husband’s the same when he gets hurt. I’ll get out of your hair,” she jumped off the back.
Just when I grabbed the side handles to get in, Christian’s hauled me up with one arm. “I got you.”
He followed suit and took a seat on the empty stretcher.
Silently, I worked on the wound—tearing up when I noticed how many cuts he got. Nothing went right. Thisshould have worked but it didn’t. I thought I planned it out perfectly, but it was a mess. Arun was there and I didn’t know. More secrets were revealed. In a single day, I stole what Christian worked towards for seven whole years—denying him the satisfaction.
Now I was left with misery and pain and regret.
Was it worth it?
A tear fell on a cut.
The sound of our breathing paused.
In the span of a heartbeat, Christian smoothly pulled me onto his right leg with my own two cradled in between. I buried my face where his shoulder meets his neck and cried.
He rubbed soothing thumbs on my neck. “Let it out, baby.”
I’d let myself give into his comfort.
Only once.
When I pulled away, our eyes met.
