Chapter 128
Chapter 128
AARON
,(62)
The clock on the wall mocked me with every tick. Each second stretched, an eternity between one heartbeat and the next. I sat where I had been since they sedated her, hunched forward in the stiff hospital chair, her fragile hand cradled in mine like it was the last thread holding me to the earth.
It had been hours. The room was too quiet now, the earlier panic a violent echo replaying in my head on a loop. I could still hear her sobs, the way she begged not to be buried again, how she didn’t even know I was there until the very end. My name had left her lips like it cost her everything she had left.
And I couldn’t stop thinking about how many times she’d probably cried like that while I wasn’t there to save her.
What he did to her.
What he put her through.
And how everything that happened to her was ultimately my fault.
I ran a trembling hand down my face, exhaling sharply. My body screamed for rest, but my mind was a battlefield. Gerald was still breathing, still free, and my wife-my fierce, bright, untouchable Venus-was lying broken because of him.
Connor had called an hour ago, giving me a brief update. They had fresh tracks, they were closing in. I’d nearly told him to send me Gerald’s location so I could hunt him myself, but I couldn’t leave this room. Not while she might wake up again terrified and alone.
I swore I’d never leave her again.
I didn’t even notice my mother slipping back in until she placed a cup of coffee beside me, her hand squeezing my shoulder gently. “How is she?” she asked softly.
I didn’t look away from Venus. “She hasn’t moved,” I murmured, my voice low and raw. “But when she wakes up…” My throat tightened, fury and grief mingling like poison. “I need to be here, Mom. She needs to see me, not some nurse or stranger when she opens her eyes again p>
She said nothing, just moved to sit beside me, her presence steady but quiet. She didn’t try to make me leave this time. She’d seen my face during Venus’s panic earlier. She knew there wasn’t a force on earth strong enough to pry me away.
It was just past four in the morning when it happened.
The hand I’d been holding shifted slightly, a small twitch that had me instantly alert, heart hammering. I leaned closer, every muscle tense. “Venus?” My voice was barely a breath, desperate and hopeful all at once.
Her lashes fluttered against her cheeks before her eyes cracked open, hazy, searching. For one terrifying second, I braced myself for the panic, for her to wake up screaming and afraid again.
20:29 Wed, Jan 14 M.
Chapter 128
But this time was different.
ନୂର (62)
She blinked slowly, confusion clouding her expression as her gaze roamed the room before landing on me. My breath caught, terrified to move, afraid I’d scare her back into that nightmare she’d been living.
Her lips parted, a soft rasp of my name breaking the silence. “…Aaron p>
God, the sound of it-it broke something in me and mended everything else at once. My free hand came up to brush her hair gently from her face, careful not to startle her. “Yeah,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I’m right here. I’m not leaving you p>
Her brow furrowed faintly, her eyes glassy as tears welled up. She tried to speak, but it came out as a hoarse croak. “Is… is it over p>
That question gutted me. No woman should ever have to ask that. My throat felt tight as I forced the words out, firm but gentle. “Yeah, It’s over. You’re safe now. I’ve got you p>
A small, shaky breath left her, but the fear didn’t vanish completely. Her eyes darted to the corners of the room, her body tensing as if she half-expected Gerald to materialize out of the shadows. My hands tightened around hers instantly, grounding her, keeping her anchored.
“There’s no one else here,” I promised fiercely, leaning closer so she couldn’t look anywhere but at me. “Just me and you, Venus. I swear to you, no one’s touching you ever again. I’ll kill them before they get close p>
A tear slid down her cheek, and it undid me. I brushed it away softly, my chest aching from how fragile she felt under my touch. “You don’t have to fight anymore,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple, my lips lingering there. “I’ve got all the fighting covered from now on p>
Her small, trembling hand tried to curl into my shirt, weak but desperate to hold on. I immediately leaned closer, letting her clutch me as tightly as her exhausted body allowed.
“It’s okay,” I soothed, rocking her slightly, ignoring the wires and monitors beeping softly around us. “Sleep. You need rest p>
“No…no what if this is a dream? and you’re not here when I wake up?” my heart clenched.
“I’m not going anywhere. Not now, not ever p>
“I didn’t give Dorian the contract, it wasn’t me. My mom she-” she started weak and drowsy.
My heart dropped. The last argument we had before she was taken.
I was at fault for everything.
It was my fault she left in the first place and got taken
If I had just removed my head from my godanm ass. She wouldn’t have gone out alone that night.
“Shh Venus. I know. You just get some rest okay p>
“You believe me?” Her voice cracked. It cracked me.
20:29 Wed, Jan 14 M p>
Chapter 128
“I’m so sorry Venus. I never should’ve doubted you. This is all my fault. I’m sorry p>
62
The room was silent. Her body sagged against me, her breathing uneven but calmer, like she finally believed me enough to rest.
“I hope you can forgive me one day p>
I kissed her forehead.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.