The wife he bought

chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

Damien's POV

I found her in about forty-two hours.

Forty-two hours of no sleep, of calling in every guy I had in all corners to check all free hospitals within three hundred miles. I found her finally in a hospital two town away, registered as jane, she was on a bed had IV on.

She looked dead already.

The nurse tries to stop me. “Family only.” she said

“I am her husband,” I said. “Move.”

Zara opens her eyes as I walked in. Dull. Slowly. But she sees me.

“No,” she whispered. “Go.”

I didn't. I sat close to her took her hand in mine. Her fingers were cold. Too cold.

“Come home,” I said.

She pulled her hand away. Or tries. She didn't have enough strength. “I left. You don’t—” she said but I cut her off

“I don’t what? Care? You think I care about the contract?” My voice cracks. I hate it. “You think I sent all my men out, told Roman I’d burn his whole operation, if he has you because of a contract?” I said to her.

Her lips moved. No sound.

I leaned in. “You said you loved me. You don’t get to say that and then disappear to die alone. You don’t get to make that choice for both of us.”

She closes her eyes. A tear leaks out. “Burden.” she said.

“You are not a burden.” I’m begging now. Damien Voss doesn’t beg. “You’re the only thing in this life that isn’t blood and concrete. Come home, Zara.”

She shakes her head. “Can’t. Won’t. Let me—”

“No.” I stood up. The chair scrapes the ground. “We had a contract. One year, remember? You signed. Five million dollars for compensation. You’re still mine for seven more months, Zara. You don’t get to void it just because you’re scared.” I said to her

Her eyes snapped open. Anger. Good. Anger is alive. “You bastard. You’re using the contract?” she said feeling alive

“I’m using whatever I have to.” I looked at the doctor in the doorway. “Discharge her. Now. She’s coming with me.” I said

The doctor hesitates. “She’s not stable for—”

“Now.” I said again this time coldly

Zara helped herself up. “Fine. You want the contract? Fine. I’ll come. Happy?”

She stands. Takes one step.

And collapses.

The monitor screams. Nurses run in. I’m shoved back.

“Zara!” I caught her before her head hits the floor. She’s seizing. Blood at her mouth. Her body is white, wax. “Do something!” I shouted

They took her from me. Running in and out of the room. OR doors. They took her there.

Operating Room. No Entry.

I was left in the hall with her blood on my hands.

The clock says 11:03 PM.

Kessler shows up at midnight. She didn’t say “I told you so”. She said, “We found a donor. Money works. Match came through an hour ago. We’re prepping her now.”

A donor. After weeks of nothing.

I don’t believe in God. I believe in leverage. Someone, somewhere, owed me. Or feared me.

“Will she—” I couldn’t finish.

“We’ll do everything.” Kessler touches my arm. “Wait here.”

Wait.

I’ve waited through hits. Through wars. Through my mother’s funeral. I’ve never waited like this. This wait hits differently.

The hours went by. 1 AM. 2 AM. 3 AM. Flashes or memories of her came flooding my head.

Her on the balcony. First kiss. Her with the red dress. The kiss to her shoulder.

Her at the ware house on her need. She saying she loves me. “You are important” was the only thing I gave her.

Her at the auction.her feeling resigned. All her expressions I thought I hadn't noticed were flooding in.

I’ve never been so afraid. Not of Old Voss. Not of Roman. Not of death.

But……I’m afraid now.

It’s 4:17 AM already, I was pacing around now hands through my hair.

Flashback continues. her asleep on my knee, bandaging my head.

her saying _I love you_ in the car. Me, too cowardly to say it back. I should have said it. Why didn't I?

If she dies……………

my head in my hands. My shoulders shake. Once.

5:09 AM. The OR doors open.

Kessler comes out. Mask down. Tired.

My heart stops.

Then she nods. One small nod.

“She’s alive,” Kessler said. “The transplant took…well It was rough. We almost lost her twice. But she’s stable. She’s in recovery.”

The air comes back into my lungs. It hurts.

“Can I—”

“Not yet. ICU. Maybe later today.” Kessler studies me. “You should sit down, Mr.Voss You look worse than she does.”she said

I didn't sit. I stood staring at the doors she disappeared into.

Longest night of my life.

And I understood, finally, what Roman meant. What Old Voss built me to never have.

A heart.

She’s it. I love her and it would kill me if I'm never able to say it to her.

Because I love her.

I love her and I didn’t say it. I love her and she almost died thinking she was a contract. A burden. Important but not loved.

Never again.

When she wakes up, I’ll tell her. I’ll say it until she believes it. Until the word means more than blood, more than anything, more than death.

The sun came up. I didn't move.

I waited.

Because Damien Voss finally has something to lose.

And her name is Zara.