Chapter Four
1465 Words
ARYNA
My eyes flickered open, and I found myself in a strange room. I looked around, my brows furrowed in confusion.
The scent of antiseptic hit my nose, its heavy smell wafting through my nose.
The familiar scent got a smile creeping up my face, but it soon vanished when the painful memories of the past hours came flooding my thoughts.
I felt empty, so dry. My hands trailed down to my tummy and a tear slipped from my eye.
How I caught Gina and Ryan having s*x on our matrimonial bed. The way he dragged me out and lastly — the last straw that broke the camel's back; how Gina pushed me into a running car.
The thoughts broke me more.
I remembered everything…..the sight of blood.
No, I couldn't have lost my baby. He's….not dead.
A nurse walked in and I sat up.
"What happened to my baby? "Is he dead?" I asked, trembling with fear.
She nodded gravely, a pitiful look on her face. "I'm so sorry, Mrs Moore." You were rushed to the hospital by a good Samaritan, and we could only save you, but you lost the pregnancy before you could arrive here."
I…..I had a miscarriage? No, that couldn't be true.
I gripped the bedsheets, tears welling in my eyes.
I would never forgive Ryan for this. He and Gina would pay for what they'd done.
The nurse patted my shoulder softly, saying, "You'd be fine, it's just a matter of time until you heal completely."
A painful chuckle went out of my lips.
I clutched my tummy, I would never be able to get back my lost baby. How could I ever heal from this pain?
She knew nothing about what I had been going through. She knew nothing about the fierceness I had been thrust into for three years now.
"I'd go get the doctor to check your vitals and prescribe some drugs, then he can decide when you'll be discharged."
"Thanks." I mumbled, forcing a smile and just as she left the VIP ward, Gina stepped in, a smug smile playing on her venomous lips.
My teeth grinded together in provocation.
What was she doing here?
"Aren't you satisfied yet? "You must be surprised now to find out that I'm still alive." I bickered. She moved closer, hovering over me.
"It's not over yet, Aryna Elfold." She growled, her taunting tongue ready to bicker more. "It'll never stop until you're dead and out of this world."
"You pushed me to the road, yet you lied to Ryan that I had committed suicide. "You're a devil, Gina." My voice shook with fury as I hissed through clenched teeth, "You would always play to be the victim, but I would make sure you and Ryan pay for everything!"
Her lips curled into a sneer as she spat with the words like poison, "You'll never get me, Aryna. You're a puppet, and you'll always remain one, no matter what."
My eyes burned with unshed tears, but I refused to yield.
"I am no one's puppet!" I growled, my voice rising with every word.
She paced back and forth, her clenched fists trembling. I watched her, eyes widened as she grabbed the glass on the bedside table and smashed it on the wall.
Immediately, Ryan stormed in, the door banging hard behind him.
He must have heard the shattering noise and thought his sweetheart was hurt.
His forehead knitted into a deep frown when he saw me, his face flushed red with surprise. He must be wondering why I was still alive.
Turning around, he gasped when he set his eyes on Gina, who fell to the floor at that instant, shedding crocodile tears.
"What's going on here? Gina!" His voice etched with worry. He rushed to her side. "What's wrong, you're bleeding!"
She pointed at me, fake tears streaming down her cheeks. "It's Aryna again, she hurled the glass at me, and it pierced my knee."
My breath caught in my throat. What a liar!
Ryan stood up abruptly, his nostrils flared as he grabbed my neck.
"Why did you come back to life?" he seethed, "You're here again to taunt my Gina. When will you stop being jealous?"
I winced, almost choking as he tightened his grip on me.
"S….stop this madness.." I muttered in muffled breaths, my voice low.
He snarled, "I'm going to kill you again!"
I shut my eyes, giving in as I couldn't fight him. His strength was beyond me, it'd be hard.
The next thing I heard were loud groans and when I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar man grabbing Ryan by his collar as he lifted him off the ground.
He was tall and brooding with a retreating figure.
Who was he, I wondered.
"What do you think you're doing?" He growled, his teeth gnashing.
Ryan's brows shot wide. He seemed to recognise him.
"Y...you…" he mentioned, his eyes darting more wildly. "What are you doing here?"
"Pick up your mistress and leave now!" The stranger growled in command and, letting Ryan down, he carried Gina like a princess and walked out, but not without rolling his eyes at me.
The stranger turned around, walking closer to me.
For a fleeting moment, I was stunned by his handsomeness. My eyes trailed down his emerald green eyes, his straight nose and dangerously pink lips.
His broad chest looked like a safe haven, the perfect place to rest and forget all about life's sorrows.
Two of his buttons were undone and when my eyes landed on his tanned body, I gulped down, more astounded.
When he moved closer, I sank more into the bed. He placed his hands on either side of the bed, and I was trapped in between his arms.
As he leaned in, I saw a bit of familiarity in his eyes, like I knew him from somewhere but I couldn't quite place it.
Maybe it was just a flicker of my imagination.
"Are you okay?" His husky voice drew me out of my thoughts and I cringed as he moved closer.
Silence.
Pin drop silence was all that dwelt in the room. I was lost in my own world, his closeness seemed to affect me and I didn't know why.
His face was now an inch apart from mine, his warm breath fanning against my cheek.
"Why are you silent?" He questioned, his thumb tracing my lips.
"Uh?" I gasped and he chuckled, standing straight.
He adjusted his suit and cleared his throat, moving backwards.
"W...who are you?" I demanded, stuttering.
He chuckled, brushing his fingers along his silk arm-length black hair.
"It's quite funny you can't recognize me. "Do you watch TV at all?" He paused for a moment, his eyes locked on mine. "Ever heard of Holland Sinclair? You should recognize me well, Aryna. Your husband tried to ruin me two years ago."
My chest tightened, surprise washing over me.
The infamous Holland Sinclair? The man rumored to have murdered his father?
"Why did you help me?" I asked, my brows furrowed.
His silhouette clicked against the marble floor as he moved closer.
"I don't help without a reason," he said, his arms folded across his chest. "Let's fix a deal, Aryna Elford."
"W….what deal?" Questioning, I arched my brows at him.
He seemed so mysterious, just like the news had painted him and, as much as I didn't want to believe it, the dark glint on the face pushed me towards more confusion.
What did he want from me?
"He made you lose your baby, tried murdering you too. What do you think is best to do? Forgive and forget?"
"Forgive my ass!" I hit my balled fist on the hospital bed, my jaws clenching in anger. "That's not happening. Tell that to the dummies."
Holland clapped, his lips curled up in quiet amusement, eyes never leaving mine.
"I like the new you, Aryna. Now let's fix a deal." His voice dropped low, his gaze intense on me.
"W...what deal?"
"Ryan and I have unfinished business and now that I've found you, my interest in paying him back is more piqued. "Aryna..." He called slowly, leaning in close as a wicked grin played in his lips, "two souls hungry for revenge— that's interesting, don't you think?"
"Now here's the deal," he continued, his tone more serious, "I want you to divorce Ryan Moore and be mine. That way, we can work this out together—you and I. What do you say, Aryna? Are you willing to take my surname and erase that bastard's?"
I didn't say a word. I just stared at him blankly.
The crooked smile on his face gave me shivers. How on earth did he know so much about me?
- Writer
