Chapter 39
As I slowly open my eyes, the harsh glare of lights assaultings all my senses, and I wince as a dull ache reverberates through my body. Blinking away the blur of consciousness, I gradually become aware of my surroundings, the sterile scent of antiseptic permeating the air as I realize that I’m lying in a hospital bed.
Confusion clouds my mind as I try to piece together what happened and the events of the past few hours.
Memories of the attack flood back to me in a rush.
After Lysa showed up at my apartment with a gun, I tried resisting going with her. We ended up trashing my apartment, and she hit my face with the butt of the gun, causing my nose to bleed.
Then, I passed out when she brought a handkerchief to my nose. I woke up later to discover I was tied to a chair in a strange room with Lysa torturing me and screaming about how I stole her life.
I shudder at the thought of what could have happened if Ethan and Drake hadn’t found me in time.
And then, as if on cue, the sound of footsteps draws my attention, and I turn my head to see Ethan standing beside me, his expression wrought with concern.
“Ethan?” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper as I struggle to sit up, every movement sending a jolt of pain through my battered body.
He’s at my side in an instant, his hand reaching out to gently support me as I prop myself up against the pillows.
“Hey, baby,” he says softly, his voice filled with relief as he meets my gaze. “How are you feeling?”
I try to muster a response, but my throat feels dry and scratchy, words catching in my throat as I survey the myriad of bruises and bandages that adorn my body.
“I’m so sorry, Jessy,” he says, his voice thick with emotion as he reaches out to brush a stray lock of hair from my face. “I should have been there to protect you.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I reach out to grasp his hand, the warmth of his touch providing a sense of comfort amidst the chaos of my thoughts.
“It’s not your fault, Ethan,” I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. “You saved me.”
He meets my gaze with a mixture of gratitude and guilt, his eyes reflecting the depth of his emotions as he leans in closer, his forehead resting against mine.
“I love you, baby,” he murmurs, his words a solemn vow as he presses a tender kiss to my forehead.
And in that moment, surrounded by the sterile confines of the hospital room, I know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we’ll face them together.
I spentthe next few days at the hospital with Ethan refusing to leave my side, and when I was finally discharged from the hospital, he insisted I move in with him to keep me safe until Lysa is caught by the police.
I can’t start my new job at Drake’s company until I have completely healed, and Drake has been kind enough to hold the job for me until I recover.
I’m sitting on a couch in Ethan’s living room when the front door opens, and he walks in. He looks a little stressed from the day’s work, but he is still incredibly handsome. And as he flashes me a smile, I feel butterflies in my tummy.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says as he comes to meet me.
“Hello, handsome.”
He dips his head, and our lips meet in a soft kiss.
“How was your day?” he asks, his lips ghosting mine. Before I can respond, he kisses me again.
“I spent most of the day reading and talking to my mom on the phone,” I respond when he finally lets me go.
He comes to join me on the couch. “How is she?” He swings his arm across my shoulders, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“She is okay. She still wants me to come back home, even though I keep telling her that I’m fine.”
“Maybe I should send the jet to bring her over?” Ethan suggests.
“That will be nice, thank you,” I lean in and kiss him.
“I have good news,” he announces, his excitement palpable.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Lysa has been apprehended. The police caught her at the airport when she was trying to flee the city.”
Relief washes over me like a tidal wave, flooding my senses with a sense of liberation I hadn’t realized I’d been yearning for.
For so long, Lysa’s looming presence had cast a shadow over my life, a constant reminder of the trauma she inflicted.
But now, with the promise of justice on the horizon, I find myself exhaling a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
“Thank you,’’ I say with so much relief, throwing my arms around him in a tight hug. Now, I feel safer knowing Lysa is behind bars.
Ethan kisses my head. “You no longer have to be afraid,” he murmurs into my hair. “I’m sorry it took this long to get her.”
I respond by coiling my arms around his neck and kissing him. Ethan releases a throaty groan as he carries me off the couch.
“I was thinking we would have a celebratory dinner, but I think that will have to wait,’’ he murmurs against my lips as he carries me to his bedroom, with me helping him out of his shirt on the way.
Three WeeksLater
Things are now back to normal. I’ve started working at Drake’s company, and I love every bit of it.
“Goodnight, Jessy,” my colleague calls out as we all head out of the office’s building.
“Goodnight, Sam,” I blow her a kiss before walking in the opposite direction to catch a cab back to my apartment.
As I hail a cab, I reach for my phone and text Ethan.
Me: Hey Ethan, are you up for dinner tonight? I could swing by your place.
The seconds stretch into minutes, each passing moment filled with growing unease as I wait for his response.
Finally, the notification chimes and I eagerly unlock my phone, my heart jumping for joy at the sight of his name.
But as I read his message, a pang of disappointment washed over me, mingling with a nagging sense of concern. His words are brief, almost curt.
Ethan:Sorry, Jessy, not tonight. Maybe another time.
I can’t help but furrow my brows, a knot of worry forming in the pit of my stomach. Ethan’s behavior has been increasingly erratic lately. It’s almost as if he is avoiding me.
With a sigh, I tuck my phone back into my purse and hail down the next cab to my apartment. On my way home, I get a text from Amy letting me know that she is coming over to my apartment.
I had just finished taking a shower when I got a text from her that she was at my door.
“Hey, Amy,” I greet her, motioning for her to take a seat beside me on the couch. “Thanks for coming over.”
Amy settles in beside me, her eyes filled with concern as she takes in my troubled expression. “What’s been going on, Jessy? You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
I let out a sigh, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly as I prepared to unload my worries onto my dear friend. “It’s Ethan,” I admit, my voice tinged with frustration, “he’s been acting strange lately, and I can’t seem to figure out why.”
Amy nods sympathetically, her gaze unwavering as she listens intently to my concerns. “Maybe he’s just stressed out about work,” she suggests gently, reaching out to place a comforting hand on my arm.
I consider her words, knowing that she may have a point. Ethan’s responsibilities as CEO can undoubtedly take a toll on hi.m, bBut something about his recent behavior feels different, as if there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
Before I can dwell too deeply on my worries, Amy changes the subject, her eyes alight with excitement. “Speaking of which, I’ve got the perfect distraction for you tonight. There’s a dinner party happening, and I want you to come with me.”
I hesitate, my mind still clouded with doubts and uncertainties. “I don’t know, Amy. I don’t even have a dress for the occasion.”
Amy grins mischievously, reaching into her bag and pulling out a beautifully wrapped package. “Not to worry, Jessy. I’ve got you covered,” she declares, handing me the package with a flourish.
I accept it with a curious expression, my fingers trembling slightly as I unwrap the gift to reveal a stunning dress nestled within. My breath catches in my throat as I take in the intricate lace detailing and flowing silhouette, the dress a perfect embodiment of elegance and sophistication.
“It’s gorgeous,” I breathe, my heart swelling with gratitude for Amy’s thoughtfulness. “Thank you so much.”
Amy’s smile widens, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Consider it a distraction from your worries,” she says, her voice filled with warmth and affection. “Now, let’s get you ready to turn heads tonight.”
As we step into the lavish surroundings of the five-star hotel, I’m immediately struck by the opulence that surrounds us. The air is filled with a sense of an air of anticipation, and I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling within me as Amy leads the way through the dimly lit hallway.
But as we make our way further into the room, my heart begins to race with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. The room is eerily quiet. The only sound echoing through the space is the soft rustle under our feet.
I turn to Amy, my brow furrowed in confusion. “Why is it so dark?”
She simply offers me a reassuring pat on my shoulder before slipping away into the shadows, leaving me standing alone in the center of the room.
And then, as if on cue, the lights suddenly flicker to life, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. My eyes widen in astonishment as I take in the breathtaking sight before me.
The entire hall is adorned with roses, their delicate petals arranged in intricate patterns that wind their way across the floor and up the walls. And at the center of it all stands Ethan, his eyes filled with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine.
I feel my breath catch in my throat as Ethan steps forward, his gaze never leaving mine as he drops down to one knee before me. My heart pounds in my chest as I watch him, my mind struggling to comprehend what is happening.
And then, as he reaches into his pocket and produces a small velvet box, everything suddenly becomes clear. My hands tremble slightly as he opens the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring, its brilliance catching the light as if it were alive with fire.
“Jessy,” Ethan begins, his voice filled with emotion as he takes my hand in his. “From the moment I met you, I knew that you were the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Will you marry me?”
Tears well up in my eyes as I gaze down at him, my heart overflowing with love and joy. I feel as though I’m standing on the precipice of a new chapter in my life, and I couldn’t be more excited to take the leap with Ethan by my side.
“Yes,” I whisper, the word escaping my lips in a breathless rush. “Yes, Ethan, a thousand times, yes.”
As he slides the ring onto my finger and pulls me into his arms, I feel as though the entire world fades away, leaving only the two of us wrapped up in the glow of our love.