For you, I hope the grass is greener

Chapter 27 Partially My Fault

Daphne's POV

I observe Nicolas scrub away at the white carpet and white walls around the floor that are covered in blood while he listens to me talk. As a nurse, he must come into contact with plenty of blood for this to not even look like it's phasing him at all. I'm surprised by how easily he is cleaning this, not cringing or anything.. I would have had a hard time, so I'm even happier that he is helping me right now.

"No, Daphne, you're not a bad person. You're entitled to your own opinion. There is nothing wrong with how you feel." he states as I nod, thinking about that. "Thank you.. I'm just confused.. I just don't understand why he was here trying to protect me.. I don't know why he is acting so protective as if I'm still his wife, and I'm not.. so it made me uncomfortable.. I appreciate him wanting to be here for support, but why be touchy-feely in the process? Why practically claim me? I don't understand it." I explain my frustrations as I grab the broom and dustpan in a huff.

Believe me there is a part of me that was hoping and praying all this cheating and wanting a divorce was just a nightmare and that he would come running back, talking about how big of a mistake it was.. but now that I have had time to think about it.. I don't want that.. I want to be someone's first choice, not the logical choice.. yes, it's logical for us to stay together because of everything we have made together.. but I'm not his first choice. I'm the second if not third.. but I don't want that.. I don't want to wonder if he ever regrets being with me.. and I honestly feel that if he stayed with me , he would regret it. But why act like I am a choice at all? That's what I don't understand.

"I'm sure he partially feels responsible for this mess." Nick states as I reply. "How so?" He looks over at me while still on his hands and knees scrubbing the carpet floor. "I bet he feels responsible because it was his brother that attacked you, probably only after he heard that you were recently single because of him leaving." He states as I nod at that, but before I have a chance to respond, he is adding on.

"I bet he never made this move because you were still with his brother, but once he knew his brother was out of the picture, he wanted to take advantage of your vulnerability that your ex had caused.. so, in a way, this is slightly Daniel's fault since he caused the trauma, even though he never told him to come here or even knew he would do this." he explains this as I nod and hum in response while sweeping up the big chunks of glass in the kitchen into one big pile.

"I don't know if that's true, that he is partially responsible.. because people get hurt all the time, that doesn't mean they deserve to be harassed in response.. but I could see why he would feel responsible, I guess.. But he chose a life away from us, so why come back here to protect? He wanted to be away, so go away." I declare sweeping my hands out as if I'm sweeping something away with them.. I notice Nick nodding with me as if it should be obvious, and to us, it probably is.

"Well, he came because he feels responsible not just because those involved are his family, but because he loves you still.. yeah things haven't been going well for the two of you, but that doesn't change the fact that you two were together for a long time and have a love for each other that no one could change or replace.. even if he fell in love with this new woman, it wouldn't be a love like anything he ever had with you." He explains again as I nod. "You're so smart and understanding, Nick."

He smiles over at me before scrubbing again. I find myself staring at his flexing muscles with every push he makes on the floor. He is detailing my floor, giving it the treatment it has never had before. The cloth and mixture must be helping make the blood go away since it's looking brighter every time I look over at it.. which is good, great, actually.

But I do notice that the blood is coming through the cloth and over his hands. Luckily, his hands are still tapped up, but that must not feel good. "Are your hands ok?" I ask him before dumping the glass into the trash can. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Don't worry about me." He states as he hops up with satisfaction painted on his face. "As good as new!" He declares to me. I walk over to the corner where the mess is, and he is right. There is nothing really there.. he works miracles.

"Thank you so much.. for helping me in more ways than you ever should've.. I feel like such a burden, but I appreciate everything you have done.. I don't know what I could ever do to repay you." I state with so much appreciation in my tone that I can see his smile growing. "Your safety and friendship is all I need in return.. don't worry about paying me back.. because your life and safety are priceless, so there is nothing that would make you feel like it is rightfully repaid.. So don't even try.." He responds, making me nod.

"So.. friend... is there anything I can get for you to make you feel better since you're done here?" I ask him as he shakes his head. "I don't need anything, but I'm not done.. give me just a second, and I'll be right back. he leaves out the open front door as I glance around the room, still confused. That is until he comes back in with his hands full of a tarp and tape.. I don't know what he plans to do with that, but I will try to help. He starts by taping the tarp to my open patio glass door, which is just a door frame at the moment with no glass in it.

"You don't have to do all that." I declare to him, coming up right behind him as he shakes his head but keeping his eyes on the task at hand. "I broke your door. I'm going to take care of this now, and I will fix it tomorrow." He says as I shake my head. "I don't want you to have to do all that.. can't I call the insurance or the owner and figure out something?" I ask him as he instantly shakes his head.

He turns around as he says in a soft tone. "Daph.. I broke your door and made a huge mess in this place.. please just let me make it up to you by fixing this." I stare up at him as I silently nod my head. "Ok, so it's getting late, and you need to get some sleep.. I will be back tomorrow to fix this, ok?" He asks me as I vigorously nod my head again, causing him to smile this time around.

He turns to leave as I reach out, grabbing his arm, and when he turns to see why I instantly hug him. His arms aren't wrapped around me at first, but once his stiffened body softens, I can feel them wrapping around me. "Thank you.. for everything." I say to him as he whispers. "I'm just happy I was here to be able to help."

"I don't know if I can relax enough to sleep." I say softly to him. "When I'm having a hard time, I just take a hot shower to help.. maybe that would work for you." He declares as I nod while we separate. "Thank you.. have a good night." I say as he shyly nods and then turns and walks out of my place, shutting the door behind him. leaving me alone for the night.

Daniel's POV

I speed away in my car, feeling like I can't go fast enough in this neighborhood I have driven through thousands of times before. I wanted to demolish my brother for what he did.. Daphne didn't deserve that treatment.. My brother always made comments about her, but I never thought for one second that he would do something like that.. I always thought he was better than that.

I wonder what clicked in his head to make him do something like this? and not only execute the action, but think that it was actually ok to do any of this.. Or maybe he knew it wasn't ok, but wanted to do it anyway.. I don't know.. Was it a psychotic break? Or an obsession turned into something like this? I have no idea, but it's terrifying, to say the least.

Seeing that crazed look in his eyes was something I had never seen before and never wanted to see again. I hope, for the life of me, that I never have to see it again.. I won't be visiting him or helping him out after this, and I hope he never goes near my family again.. but to make sure he doesn't weasel his way back in, I need to tell my family what has happened here tonight.

I grab my cell phone, dialing my mother's number. It takes a couple of rings before she picks up. "Danny? What's going on?" she asks, knowing I never call her in the nighttime unless it's urgent. "Mom.. Scott.. is in trouble.. big trouble." I declare before she quickly interrupts out of worry. "What happened? Is he ok? what can I do to help?" she inquires as I shake my head.

"Mom, let me explain." it goes silent on her end as I feel the tears welling in my eyes from having to explain this to my mother of all people. "Scott went to my house.. and attacked Daphne.. he tried to... force her into things by forcing himself on her." I declare not wanting to explain further in detail, just hoping she gets the picture. The gasp of shock on the other end shows me that she is understanding the hard news I am giving her.

"What?! You hurt her, then my other son hurts her! What is happening?! This is not how I raised you boys! What's going on?! Poor Daphne! You guys need to stay away from her! This is ridiculous! And your poor babies don't know how to feel! They didn't see any of it, did they?!" She has so much panic in her tone as she squeaks through all of her questions.

"No, they were at a movie when he attacked her." I explain that little bit, but she is still confused. "So, did he assault her or not?" she asks me as I groan out, not wanting to talk about the neighbor that has been there more for her in her hard times than I have lately.. because of my doing. "The neighbor heard Daphne yelling for help and came over to help her... Scott was found hurting Daphne to try to make something s****l happen.. but nothing had really happened yet as far as I know.. and then the neighbor beat Scott up." I state as she lets out a deep breath.

"Thank God he was there to help her since she was all on her own.. I'm sure she is feeling more alone than ever right now! her husband leaves her, her mother passes away and then is attacked because she is alone.. poor girl.. I have to call her." she declares as I instantly reply. "No, mom.. she is probably feeling overwhelmed and doesn't need everyone pitying her at the moment.. I offered to stay with her and help her clean up the house, but she said no.. so let's not bother her." I ask her for some space, and to not cross boundaries with Daphne. She hums but doesn't say she is not going to bother her.

"Mom, the only reason I called you about this is to make sure you don't help Scott out by letting him come back around my family." I say as nicely as I can conjure up. "Your family? Do you mean the family you ditched for this hussy? I'm trying to be nice because Daphne asked me to be nice to her and you.. but I don't know if I can.. You know this is partially your fault! if you hadn't left Daphne, then none of this would have happened. I know you can't control your brother's actions, but you can control your own, and you're hurting her more than your brother has.. maybe you should just stay away from her." She states as I feel my heart clenching.. Maybe she is right.. But.. The thought of never seeing her again or having her in my life is never anything I would want.. I know we are not together because of my doing, but I never wanted to lose my best friend.. ever.