CHAPTER FIVE
923 Words
Adrian Cross stepped out of the hospital, the sunlight hitting his face felt just like a slap. He squinted, his head still throbbing from the accident, and he leaned heavily on Belinda’s arm. She smiled up at him, her auburn eyes filled with adoration.
“I’m so glad you’re fine, babes,” she said, her voice soft and sweet. I was so worried about you. I thought I lost you.
Adrian stopped walking and turned to her, his face serious. “Belinda,” he said, his voice rough. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” "Don’t leave me, okay?"
He clung to Belinda like a drowning man to a safety rope, his lips brushing against her temple as he whispered, "I love you. Don't ever leave me."
She let out a soft chuckle, her fingers tracing his jawline. "Oh, Baby, you’re being so dramatic." She leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed as if savoring the moment, and not wanting it to pass.
“Never, I'm never leaving you,” she whispered.
Lena stepped into the room just in time to witness it.
Her heart fell before she could catch it. The sight of them, so close, so perfect, shattered something deep inside her. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.
She was trying to help find what was wrong with him, and he was flirting with his ex.
In her face.
He didn’t even glance her way. He continued caressing Belinda, his voice dripping with affection.
Lena stood there, frozen, her head hung up.
He was literally ignoring her.
Completely.
The jealousy that surged through her was white-hot, consuming. She hated it. Hated him.
All over again.
But what hurt more was the way he didn’t even glance in her direction.
She yanked open her closet, grabbing her clothes in angry fists and shoving them into a suitcase. Every second Adrian spent doting on Belinda replayed in her mind, fueling the rage bubbling in her chest.
Her hands trembled as she zipped up the suitcase. She grabbed a duffel bag and stuffed it with Emily’s things, especially her favorite stuffed bunny, her clothes, her tiny shoes. She wasn’t going to let Adrian or his mother or Belinda take her daughter away from her.
"It’s better this way," she told herself, zipping up the bag. I don’t belong here. I never did.
But it still hurts.
She slammed a drawer shut, sucking in a sharp breath. She didn’t care if Adrian hated her, but he had loved her once. Or at least, she had convinced herself he did.
Now, she had no illusions.
Then she walked out, her steps steady. As she passed Adrian’s bedroom door, a soft moan reached her ears.
"Babe, stop… what if someone hears?"
Belinda’s voice.
Lena clenched her jaw, her grip tightening around the suitcase handle.
She kept walking, refusing to acknowledge the sting in her chest.
Emily was fast asleep when Lena arrived.
She bent over her daughter, brushing a few curls from her face. So peaceful. So unaware. Kissing her forehead, she lingered there for a second, inhaling the soft scent of baby powder and warmth.
"I love you, sweetheart."
Emily stirred slightly but didn’t wake.
Lena tucked her in and straightened, but instead of heading to bed, she walked down the hall to her room.
The walls were lined with weapons, knives, guns, batons, even a crossbow. Tools of her old life.
Tonight, she will use them again.
Her fingers traced over a dagger before she selected a sleek black pistol.
Someone had threatened her daughter.
She was going to find out who.
And she knew exactly where to start.
Her ex-boss, Damien Cole, was in a seedy bar on the outskirts of the city. She had found him sitting in a corner booth, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He looked up as she approached, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Lena,” he said, his voice wary. “What are you doing here?”
She didn’t answer. She grabbed him by the collar and dragged him out of the booth, slamming him against the wall. The other patrons didn’t even blink, this wasn’t the kind of place where people asked questions.
“Get in the car”
The warehouse smelled of rust, sweat, and old blood.
Damien Cole was bigger than her, stronger than her, but not faster.
He swung at her, but she dodged, landing a sharp elbow on his ribs. He stumbled back, cursing.
"You should’ve stayed gone, Lena," he spat, clutching his side.
"You should’ve never sent those threats," she spat back.
They grappled, but Lena was faster. She slammed his head into a metal table, twisting his arm until he let out a strangled scream.
Then she straddled him, pulling a knife from her boot.
"You’re going to tell me why you came after my daughter."
His eyes widened in shock. "Daughter? What the hell are you talking about?"
She pressed the blade onto his cheek.
"Don’t f*****g lie to me, Damien."
"I swear on my life." "I didn’t send any threats." "I didn’t even know you had a kid, congrats… I guess."
Lena studied him for a moment, then released him with a shove. “You’d better not be lying to me.”
He gasped for breath, eyes darting. "I ain't lying." "But… I think I know who did it."
"Who?"
Damien swallowed hard. "You’re not ready for this."
Lena narrowed her eyes.
"Try me.”
- Writer
