Chapter 3

Valerie

“Where am I?” I half winced and groaned while my eyes adjusted to the sharp blinding lights of wherever I was.

Remembering I was being chased to be killed I snapped up immediately, looking around and panting like a five-year-old who had a nightmare about her dog's brutal death.

I noticed the difference in the walls, curtains, and practically everything else and I was a hundred percent sure I wasn't in my old hospital room. But it was definitely a hospital.

Thinking Daniel finally caught up with me, I carefully began to unhook myself from every goddamn machine, ready to escape for the second time today.

“Oh my! What are you doing, ma'am?” A woman came in trying to stop me. “He told me you'll try to run. Can you give me a moment to explain,” she quickly blurted after seeing the fear on my face but that didn't make me pause. 

“You're safe. Master brought you here for treatment, and you've been unconscious for two days now. No one is going to hurt you, not while the Master is here.”

“Master? You mean Daniel?” I asked in a hoarse tone and she quickly poured me a glass of water while she nodded.

“No. Not your husband, my Master. I'd let him know you're awake now. I wouldn't dare introduce the Master,” she said with a sweet smile. “Now, please lie down while I fetch the doctor to check up on you.”

Reluctantly, I eased myself back onto the bed, my mind reeling with confusion. Who was this master that saved me? What was his connection to the Allen family?

As I waited for the doctor to arrive, my thoughts raced with questions, each one more perplexing than the last. But before I could make sense of it all, the door swung open and a middle-aged man in a white coat entered the room.

"Good afternoon," he greeted me with a warm smile as he approached the bed.

I nodded, still feeling a sense of unease lingering in the pit of my stomach. He introduced myself and asked how I was amongst other things but I didn't know which answer to give. My husband cheated and betrayed me. Could I ever be okay?

"I'm... I'm not sure," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, I guess."

The doctor nodded sympathetically, his expression gentle and reassuring. "That's perfectly understandable. You've been through quite an ordeal. Just try and limit your movement and your stitches will heal in no time.“

He proceeded to examine me, asking me questions about my health and any pain I might be experiencing. I didn't even know they operated on me till he mentioned stitches.

As the Doctor left the room, my thoughts turned to what would be happening back home. What would Daniel be doing now that I've been missing for two days?

Before I could dwell on it any longer, the woman who had initially stopped me from leaving returned with a tray of food.

"Here you go, dear," she said cheerfully, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "I brought you some food. You must be hungry after everything."

I nodded gratefully, my stomach rumbling at the sight of the food. As I began to eat, savoring each bite, a sudden knock on the door interrupted my meal.

Curious, I glanced up to see a man standing in the doorway, his tall figure silhouetted against the harsh glare of the hospital lights. The woman stylishly excused herself and the man walked in.

“Hello, ma'am," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "I heard you were awake, and I couldn't resist coming to see you myself. Are you feeling better now?”

I studied him carefully, noting the air of confidence and authority that surrounded him. His dark hair was neatly styled, his sharp features softened by a warm smile.

"Yes, thank you. Who are you?" I asked cautiously, my instincts on high alert.

With that creepy look, it could be the man Daniel sent to drug me.

The man chuckled softly, stepping further into the room. "Forgive me, where are my manners? My name is Ares. I'm the one who brought you here."

Before I could respond, he spoke again, his tone earnest. “You might or might not know me, Valerie,” he said then removed his glasses and I could swear the joints holding my jaw in place went loose when I saw his whole face. 

"I know you must have a million questions," he said, his eyes locking with mine. "But for now, all you need to know is that you're safe here. No one is going to hurt you.”

It took me a while to recollect myself from the shock. “You won't let them hurt me or you won't hurt me?” I asked with trembling lips as I locked into those black eyes.

“What do you think, Valerie?” He replied with a question, now moving closer to me. “Would I hurt you to get revenge on the rest of the family?”

I was about to say something, a plea maybe when his index finger landed on my lip and he flashed a mere smile. 

“Eat first, then we'll talk about business.”

His presence in the room was suffocating, it took every energy in me to finish the food in front of me before it was carried away.

“Can we just talk about it now? The suspense is killing me…” I whispered, since I hadn't gotten my voice back fully, not to mention, his presence here was giving me chills.

“Only if you're ready, Valerie…”

“Thank you for saving me, sir. I really didn't think…”

“Someone like me would save you,” he ended my sentence with a chuckle. “Let's cut all of that. Why were you running from Daniel? Was he the one trying to kill you?”

“I- he-” I began to stammer, not knowing where to even start from. “It's a long story, sir,” I choked, my throat becoming dry while tears built up behind my eyes. 

“Valerie,” he called softly. “You don't have to say it if you don't want to… I just wanted to know how to help.”

“Yes, he was. I don't even know why,” I broke down immediately and the next thing I felt was a pair of arms wrapped around me, trying to calm me down. “I have done nothing but love that man, be a submissive and obedient wife. How could he cheat on me and then dare to even order my death.” I poured out all my tears, questions, and frustrations on his chest and he took them all without any interruption until I was done.

“Did he make mention of what papers he made you thumbprint when you were unconscious?” He asked and I shook my head.

“Do you know what they are?” I wiped my tears and asked but he just stared at me like he was looking for the appropriate words to use. Was it that bad?