CHAPTER 15: Resolution
Victoria’s POV
The sterile scent of disinfectant stung my nose as my eyes fluttered open. Harsh, fluorescent light flooded my vision, and I blinked, groaning softly as the dull ache in my body made itself known. My throat was dry, my limbs felt heavy, and the rhythmic beeping of a machine nearby kept time with my disoriented heartbeat.
“You’re awake.”
The deep, familiar voice startled me. I turned my head too quickly, wincing as the movement sent a sharp pain through my neck. Sitting in the chair beside my hospital bed, dressed impeccably despite the faint creases in his shirt, was the man from the arrogant man from the cafe.
“Wh–what are you doing here?” My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.
He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, and studied me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. “You nearly drowned. I was there. I pulled
you out.”
Images of icy water and my frantic struggle against the waves flashed through my mind. I had been so scared, I had been unable to breathe. I had been unable to do anything as the water dragged me deeper into it’s cold embrace. Panic bubbled to the surface, but I forced it down. “You… saved me?”
He nodded, his dark eyes never leaving mine. “What happened?”
I froze. The memory of Lily’s cold gaze, her hands clawing at me, shoving me, and the feel of the ocean swallowing me whole surged forward. My chest tightened, and the words caught in my throat.
“I…” My voice faltered. His gaze softened slightly, almost imperceptibly, and that tiny shift was all it took to break the dam inside me.
“Lily,” I choked out. “It was Lily.”
He obviously didn’t know who Lily was, but I didn’t care at the moment; I wasn’t thinking straight. His brows furrowed, but he remained silent, waiting for me to continue.
“She… I paused, my voice trembling as anger and despair fought for control. “She attacked me; we struggled and I fell into the water. She left me there. She knew I couldn’t swim, and she just… watched.”
The weight of my own words hit me like a tidal wave, and tears blurred my vision. My breathing hitched as I struggled to hold back the sobs threatening
to escape.
His jaw tightened, his expression darkening. “Who is Lily?”
“She used to be my friend.” I replied quietly, my words barely sounded at all. “My best friend.”
He shook his head.
“And why would she do that to you?”
I let out a bitter laugh, though it sounded more like a sob. “Because she’s a monster. Because she betrayed me, just like Ethan They’ve both been lying to me, using me. And when I tried to fight back, she tried to kill me.”
The words tumbled out in a rush, raw and unfiltered. I was probably over–sharing but I couldn’t stop myself now. I told him everything–Ethan’s infidelity, Lily’s betrayal, the video, and her attempt to buy my silence. My hands shook as I spoke, the weight of my anguish too heavy to bear.
ever.
!
‘I can’t believe Lily would let me die,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “We were friends once.”
Dominic leaned back in his chair, his face a mask of calm, but I could see the storm brewing in his eyes. “So, Ethan Sterling cheated on you with her?”
I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms as I nodded. “They deserve each other. I hate them both.”
Saying the words aloud felt like ripping open a wound, but it also brought a strange sense of clarity. I hated them. I wanted them to pay now more than
“You want revenge,‘ Dominic said, his voice low and even.
I looked at him sharply. There was no judgment in his tone, only a quiet understanding that both comforted and unnerved me,
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CHAPTER 155PRechitoon
“I can’t let theangeconwydtly this.11 replied quietly. I want them to pay.”
He nodded his expression anscrutable.Good.”
I blinked, taken abackk:God?”
“It’s good that youure dinnyt hhiking as you should, Victoria. he said.
His words hung heavily betweennussandybbreath faltered as I stared at him, all the whole my chest heaved heavily from the emotions I kept restra For a moment, neither of us spokee Thedeepping of the heart monitor and the faint hum of hospital machinery filled the silence.
Unable to take anymore, 1 bbhkedcndd bha sears I had been trying so hard to restrain went streaking down my cheeks. I lowered my gaze from his, to ashamed that I had let myself cryinghis spreeeccce.
“Hey, it’s okay. He spoke to my surprisee Myggage flickered back to his and he spoke again. “Don’t cry.”
The sincerity in his voice caught me off grunddThis was the same man who had exuded arrogance and cold detachment at the cafe, yet here he was, sitting by my bedside, his presence steady and groundding,
“You’re safe. You’re fine.. He said, his stone soochhing.
“Thank you,” I murmured, the words feeling inadequate but necessary.
He gave a slight nod, his gaze held mine and founddayyelisining hood his eyes; trying to understand what was going on in his mind.
I lay back against the pillows, exhaustion pulling at race Theanaccondd deppair still simmered beneath the surface, but I was exhausted. My body acl but my heart ached even more; it felt almost shattered in my cheest.
More tears left my eyes as I blinked once more, my shoulddess boobs bigbrywiths cobs! I bit my lips to stop myself from making a sound.
“It’s alright.” He spoke again.
This time around, he reached out and took my hand into his, and scorettiggbboothhis touch was just as startling as it was intriguing; it felt like a s of electricity suddenly cursing through my veins. I wanted to pull hwwy but this fingers dosed round mine comfortingly.
“Breathe. His voice was low, soothing. It had a shuddering breath leaving mocAbdownappartof me was pacificd by his presence, the other scream that he was arrogant and infuriating, but I ignored it and let myself be comfdcrabblebyyhhim.
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