The Arranged Bride

Chapter - 41

Nick's POV

There was a dead silence , no one bothered to speak . Everyone was anticipating of what the doctors would say. After what seemed like hours, the doctor came out. I was trying to read his expression but his neutral face gave away nothing.

" Doctor , how is she ?" I asked.

" The abuse she faced was serious. She is thoroughly bruised and a few ribs were broken. She is out of danger now but she is extremely weak due to lack of food in her system. Also , there was a huge amount of sedatives in her body . She will need few hours before she is conscious again." No one uttered a word simply because we simply didn't know what to say.

" Was there - was there any sign of - any sexual abuse?" Ryan asked the question that I was dreading so much. No matter what , I couldn't bring myself to ask it .

" No. Fortunately, there were no signs of molestation." I breathed out in relief . I don't know what I would have done if the answer was what I dreaded. I would have possibly never forgiven myself .

" Can I see her ?" I asked him.

" You can see her once we shift her to the ward but one person at a time." I nodded and he left us there in our thoughts.

" That bitch . I want to fucking kill her with my bare hands." My Mom yelled. She was never the one to curse but her bloodshot eyes were enough proof of her unfettered rage, directed towards Christina. My Dad had the similar expressions whereas Sophia's father held a pained expression. Sophia's mom stared off into space while tears rolled down her cheeks .Charlotte was crying in Ryan's chest who was trying to keep his emotions at bay.

" Nick , where is she ? How is she ?" Caleb asked as he was panting like he ran all the way up to the hospital.

" Out of danger, badly bruised and broken ribs." I gritted out the words. Thinking that I was speaking of Sophia's condition, seemed so unreal. He clenched his eyes shut in aguish.

" Any - any kind of ..?" He sounded so hesitant as if he couldn't bare to hear the answer.

" No." As I let that single word out , I could taste the relief on my lips.

He sighed as if relieved but then a gloomy expression covered his face.

..........

After Sophia was shifted , I went in to see her. Just on entering , the familiar feel of heaviness in my heart, reappeared. I started walking towards the bed and the sight of fragile and bruised Sophia broke my heart.

Her face looked exhausted and sad.

I settled down beside her and took her small hand in mine. Bringing her hand close to my lips I kissed the back of it and that's when my emotions betrayed me. Tears roll down my cheeks not expressing even a bit of the agony that I was feeling inside.

" It's it's my fault. It's all my fucking fault that you had to go through you so much. I was supposed to protect you and I-I couldn't." I paused as my voice cracked.

" I am so so sorry baby. I don't know what I would have done if something happened to you. I love you so much Sophia. I love -." By the end of it I was choking on my tears. It was hurting so bad. I wanted someone to take away the heartache.

...........

Sophia's POV

I could hear a faint beeping sound. My head was hurting real bad but my whole body felt numb. I didn't want to wake up because I knew that once , I am conscious, I will be beaten to unconsciousness. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

But soon the beeping was clearer and louder. I opened my eyes only to close it again. After adjusting to the bright light I properly looked at my surroundings. I wasn't in the cold, dark room anymore. I felt a hand holding mine in it. I looked to my left to see Nick resting his head on the bed while sitting beside it. That's when everything came crashing down. Nick came , he saved me.

I looked at our intertwined hands. Although he was sleeping, his grip on my hand was firm , like he was scared to lose me again. I looked at his face. His hair was disheveled, there were dark bags under his eyes as if he hadn't slept in days. Even in his sleep his expression wasn't one of peace.

I brought up my other hand to run it through his hair but even at the slight movement, there was a sharp ache in my ribs. I couldn't stop the whimper that left my mouth and Nick bolted awake at that. He looked straight up at me and for a second it seemed like he couldn't believe that he was looking into my eyes.

" Sophia ." He spoke in disbelief. When I offered him a faint smile, his face broke into a large , genuine smile.

He got up as if he was going to hug me but then most probably realised that he couldn't. So he settled at sitting down back beside me and clasping my hand in his.

" Sophia , baby you're fine - you're up - shit. I don't know what I am saying. I am so happy." He kissed the back of my hand repeatedly. Never before had I seen him behave like this. He was always composed and matured.

I tried calling his name but I could only cough. He immediately rushed to fill a cup of water and brought it to my lips. I took a few sips before he put it away.

" How are you feeling?" He looked at me with so much of concern that it tugged at my heart.

" My head is aching and my ribs pain a lot." I honestly told what I was feeling.

" Now tell me ,where is Ethan?" Immediate a happy face of Ethan popped up in my mind .

" He is fine, with Amy at home." He filled me in on how he thought that I had left him and how much he had missed me and cried for me.

" He will come tomorrow."

" Aww, I missed my baby so much." I dreamily sighed.

" And what about me?" He faked hurt.

" Oh I missed you so much. I always thoughts about you. I knew you'll come to save me." While I smiled at him, his face morphosed into one of utter grief and guilt.

" I am sorry." Looking down , he said in a small voice , full of regret.

" Nick, it's not your fault. "

I tried convincing but he stubbornly shook his head. And no , I am not a dumb little bitch who is clueless of why is he apologizing.

" It is Sophia. It is my fault. I am supposed to protect you . It was for me that you had to face so much . You didn't deserve all this. I am s-sorry." Hearing his voice crack , broke my heart. His face held so much of guilt and sadness .

" Nick, I am saying it for the final time. It's not your fault. You are not to be blamed that your ex- girlfriend is a psychotic bitch." I joked trying to lift his mood which clearly didn't work. If anything , the remorse on his face increased.

" Yes, it's obviously my fault. I shouldn't have encouraged her after I was married to you." I agree that it was low of him to continue his affair after our marriage but then he acts on impulse. He did make up for those things.

" Yeah, it wasn't the right thing to do but we have come past that right? Moreover , this couldn't have been stopped even if you had cut off all relations with Christina immediately after our marriage. Did you look at her expression? Her obsession for you is so huge that she is unable to chose wisely. She still would have held me responsible for your separation with her. " I softly explained.

" But still, I shouldn't have left you there alone." He looked like a beaten puppy and I was desperate to snatch away his pain. He was beating himself over it.

" None of us saw it coming, Nick. You can't control everything but you can be happy that I am here safe and fine with you, you know." I grinned to which he raised an eyebrow.

" Safe ? Yes. But fine ? .." He trailed off . I dropped my smile and looked at him with a pissed expression.

" Nick, you'll stop blaming yourself for it right now and be happy that your wife is here with you , or I swear to God I'll beat your ass up till you are lying here on an adjacent bed." I tried giving one of his famous intimidating glares but my attempt clearly failed as he chuckled and then nodded.

" Say with me, 'It's not my fault'" I demanded.

" Sophia-"

" Nick." I deadpanned to which he rolled his eyes .

" Fine, it's not my fault. Happy?" I grinned and nodded.

" Very. Now come and kiss me." He raised his brows staring at me questioningly. I myself wouldn't have believed that I was the one saying this but I had missed him too much to be the shy girl right now.

" Wow ! You're the same Sophia right ?" He looked amused.

" I am waiting." I looked at him bored.

He chuckled at that came up to kiss me. He gently cupped my cheeks, careful to not hurt the bruises and softly kissed me. The comfort I felt, when his lips softly moved against mine , made me feel safe.

I was safe , I was home.