Chapter Two

Jane Pov 

My chest pounded louder as I felt the world collapsing around me. The thought of my stepsister and my husband holding a wedding made my breath hitch in pain.

The memories that happened eight weeks ago played in my ears.

“No…” I choked, shaking my head in disbelief. “No! This can’t be real!”

In a few minutes, I started yanking the IV drips from my arm, ignoring the sharp sting of the needles. “I have to go! I have to stop this!” I cried, my voice breaking with pain as the doctor's eyes widened in shock, preventing me from moving an inch.

“Mrs. Jane. Calm your nerves.” He said in a smoothing tone but I wasn't ready to listen. 

Before I could pull myself out of bed, the door swung open, and a man stepped inside. 

He was tall and broad shouldered, his presence commanding silence all over the room. His face was hard, locked by dark hair and piercing eyes that held a concerned look on.

“Stop,” he said firmly, crossing the room in quick strides. He gently but firmly grasped my wrists, preventing me from doing further harm to myself. “You’re not in any condition to leave.”

“And who do you think you are to order me around? Let me go!” I shouted, struggling against his hold. “I need to be there! I need to see him! He needs to give me a damn answer about what happened weeks ago.” I screamed at the top of my lungs, tears rolling down my cheeks.

The strange man didn’t let go but softened his tone, instead.“I understand how you feel,” he said quietly. “But hurting yourself won’t change what’s happening.”

I stiffened, tears still not stopping as I turned up to meet him. “Who are you?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Why are you here? What do you even know? You don't have the slightest knowledge of how I feel, so leave.” I snapped at him in annoyance.

He hesitated for a moment before answering. “I’m the one who found you,” he said simply. “You were lying on the side of the road after the accident. I couldn’t just leave you there.”

My eyes widened as his words settled over me. “You… saved me?” I whispered in disbelief and he nodded.

 “And I’ve been here ever since.”

I felt grateful, staring at him in appreciation but it immediately followed with plead as I remembered the news.

“Please,” I pleaded, my voice desperate. “You don’t understand. I have to stop this wedding.”

The man's eyes studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a reluctant sigh, he released my wrists. “If you’re sure this is what you want, I’ll go with you.”

***

I arrived at the said venue, looking like a wretched soul. I was still in my hospital gown, my pale body not fitting into it and my hair hard and unkempt.

My bare feet slapped against the pavement as I approached the grand entrance, my heart pounding in my chest but the strange man's voice stopped me.

“Wait, you might need this.” He said, his hand holding a pair of slippers.

I smiled through the pain as he walked towards me, handling me with the pairs.

“I wish you luck in whatever mission you have.” He said, more like a whisper and I nodded.

“Thank you.”

I turned back to the event, determined and desperate all over my face as the security guard's standing at the door entrance eyed me with disgust and disdain. 

They had a cold gaze on me like I was some piece of trash.

Well, am I not? Just taking a look at myself in the side glasses was enough to kill.

“You can't come in here,” one of them barked and I almost lost my steps.

“Please,” I begged, my voice now hoarse. “ I need to see him. I need to talk to him.” I pleaded, my hands pointing into the hall.

But the guards didn't budge. They looked at me as if I were invisible, mad, an intruder disturbing their perfect scene.

I stood there, frustration all over my face. I peeped my neck, desperately searching the crowd for a familiar face.

And then, I saw him.

My husband stood at the altar, dressed handsomely in a tailored suit. He was smiling, a smile that used to be mine, as he gazed at the woman beside him. 

The bride, my stepsister, elegance in a flowing white gown. The sight was a dagger thrown into my heart.

“Blair!” I screamed, my voice carrying over the crowd but it was effortless and it was obvious he wouldn't hear a thing. 

But surprisingly his head snapped in my direction, his eyes locking onto mine, for a moment he gave a shock expression and the next was unreadable.

 He turned away, pointedly ignoring me as if I were nothing more than a ghost.

My knees weakened and I retreated backwards, my body failing me. It was just too much. The in remorseful betrayal. It all made my head spin and I lost vision of my sight.

I felt myself falling but as I was about to surrender, a strong arm caught me.

It was him again__the man who had saved me. 

He scooped me up effortlessly, his face filled with worry. “You’re not strong enough for this,” he murmured, his voice steady but filled with concern. “You need to rest.”

I felt the urge to argue but I couldn’t muster the strength to argue. My head laid against his chest as he carried me away from the chaos, my tears soaking into his shirt.

***

Back at the hospital, I laid motionless in my bed, my body fragile and my spirit shattered. The strange man sat by my side, his presence a relief of comfort. 

Although he didn’t speak, didn’t try to offer me soothing words but his presence alone was enough to calm my nerves down. 

As the hours passed, I finally found my voice. “Why?” I whispered, my eyes fixed on the ceiling. “Why did you stay? You don’t even know me.”

The strange man leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Because no one else did,” he simply said. “And because I couldn’t bear to see you go through this alone. Although I have said I would leave once you are okay.”

I turned my head to look at him, my eyes searching his face. For the first time, I noticed the kindness in his eyes, even though there was something cold. I didn’t know what the future held, but in that moment, I felt a glimpse of hope.

And for now, that was enough.