Chapter 6
1025 Words
The room became frigid.
I gazed, astonished, at the man who had just intruded. His presence was captivating, featuring a tall, broad-shouldered man in a costly black suit, his hair swept back perfectly, his dark eyes igniting with intense rage.
The defined contours of his jaw clenched as he marched angrily to the bed, disregarding Zack completely.
My spouse! the outsider echoed, his voice booming like thunder, rattling the walls.
Zack reacted instinctively, positioning himself between us like a guard dog, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Who on earth are you? Zack yelped.
The man merely grinned a perilous, deliberate grin that failed to fully reflect in his eyes.
He took out a smooth black wallet and showed something to Zack too fast for me to see.
Eric Winters. Lawyer... and spouse, he stated, stressing the final word as his gaze fixed on me.
I closed and opened my eyes. Spouse? What was he discussing?
I attempted to sit up, bewilderment overwhelming my already tired mind.
You’re wrong, Zack snarled. "Leena is MY spouse."
Eric laughed softly. "Is she?" "From what I can see, it appears that you aren't treating her as such."
The strain between the two men was so palpable it could be sliced with a knife. Karina hurried back into the room at that moment, wide-eyed and panting.
"What is happening?" she exclaimed, glancing between Zack, Eric, and me.
Eric faced her in a courteous manner. "I apologize for the disturbance." "I'm here for work purposes... as well as for personal reasons."
His eyes mellowed as they met mine, and for the first time since the nightmare started, I sensed something unusual — comfort.
"Leena," he remarked, his tone softer at that moment. "I've come because your father requested me."
I quietly inhaled sharply.
Dad?
"My dad?" I rasped out, my voice hardly louder than a whisper.
Eric nodded, his gaze locked with mine. "He organized all the details." Your marriage agreement with Zack was merely provisional, a facade for a larger arrangement. You are legally free. And consequently... He hesitated, retrieving a folded piece of paper from his inner jacket pocket. "You are now under my care."
I gazed at the paper in his grasp as if it were a dangerous snake.
Accountability? Marriage agreement? What was occurring?
Zack grabbed the paper from Eric's grip and glared at it with an angry expression.
"This is crap!" he shouted, crumpling the paper and tossing it to the ground.
"Not at all," Eric replied icily. "This is the legislation." You made a mistake, Zack. Your family's assets are secure, the media possesses their dream wedding photos, and Leena has completed her responsibility. "She no longer belongs to you." Zack faced me, his expression a whirlwind of anger and shock.
"You organized this?!" he exclaimed.
Tears filled my eyes once more, but this time, it was not solely from sorrow but from relief.
I weakly shook my head. Please provide the text you would like me to paraphrase. I was unaware.
Eric moved closer, positioning himself beside my bed in a protective manner. "You’ve caused enough harm, Zack." "Leave now."
Zack tightened his fists. His jaw twitched ominously as he looked at me one final time, not with animosity this time, but with a glimpse of something raw and fractured in his eyes.
He appeared as if he intended to speak. However, he did not.
Instead, he turned on his heel and marched out, banging the door so forcefully that the walls shook.
The room was enveloped in silence.
I looked at Eric, my heart racing intensely.
It appears your message got cut off. Please provide the rest of the text you'd like me to paraphrase, and I'll be glad to help! "What is the reason for your actions?" I inquired in a raspy voice.
He eased himself onto the chair next to me, allowing for distance yet remaining near enough for me to notice the worry marked on his attractive features.
"Because you shouldn't have to endure the consequences of others' errors," he said gently. "Since someone had to rescue you... your father ensured you wouldn't face this alone."
I released a shaky breath. By oneself. That term had followed me for such a long time.
"You probably have countless questions," Eric went on. "And I will respond to each one." However, initially... you must improve. "Prioritize your health above all else."
My hands shook on the hospital cover. "But why act as if you are... my husband?"
He gave a faint smile, one that was sad.
"Since it’s the sole method to safeguard you from Zack... and from anyone else who sees you merely as a piece to be maneuvered." If I hadn’t stepped in, Zack’s family might have kept you trapped legally and unhappy for many years.
I looked at him, uncertain about whether I could trust him. Given everything I had experienced... how was I supposed to trust anyone?
Noticing my uncertainty, Eric said, "You don't need to trust me immediately. I'll work for it, Leena. "I give you my word."
For some reason, I felt compelled to trust him.
Karina awkwardly cleared her throat. "Um, I’ll allow you both some private time."
She gave me a wink before quietly exiting the room, leaving Eric and me by ourselves.
There was an extended, intense silence.
"I truly don't want you to stay," I murmured.
He reclined, his piercing gaze fixed steadily on me.
"I wish to remain." "If you allow me to."
My heart pounded vigorously within my chest.
After months, perhaps even years, I experienced the tiniest spark of hope arise within me.
Perhaps... just perhaps... this wasn't the conclusion of my tale.
Perhaps it marked the start of something completely different.
I shut my eyes, allowing fatigue to drag me down once more.
Before slumber overtook me, I sensed the gentle touch of Eric’s hand softly encircling mine.
A quiet promise.
He is present.
And in some way... I realized, deep inside, that my ordeal with Zack was genuinely finished.
However, a fresh chapter, brimming with unpredictability, threat, and perhaps even affection, was on the verge of starting.
- Writer
