6.

Evelyn

"I don't think it's a good idea to cut it off from this direction," one voice said.

"If we cut from this part, it will last longer," another voice responded.

What are they talking about? What are they planning to cut off? My legs? My hands? Or my head?

Why can't I open my eyes or move my legs? Am I dead? Their voices echo in my head, discussing how to sever something, while I struggle to regain control over my limbs and open my eyes.

"Get the axe," one of the voices commands.

What! They're coming for me. Nira, wake up! We're about to die again!

Nira!

Nira!

And then I jolted up, as if struck by lightning, only to be met with a sharp pain in my abdomen. Two men with slender builds stood before me. One was holding an axe, while the other had a piece of wood. My heart raced, and fear washed over me as they began to approach.

No! Don't come near me!

Wait... why can't I hear my own voice? Have I become mute?

I clutched the covers tightly, preparing myself for whatever was about to happen, when the man holding the axe dropped it. "You're finally awake," he said, a glimmer of something in his eyes. I furrowed my brow in confusion.

"The herb really worked," the other man remarked. They both continued to stare at me, as if I were some kind of possession.

First of all... No, I fell off a cliff and my soul had left my body. I know there's no way I could have survived that incident. If that's the case, then are they angels? Are they planning to take my soul away for the second time? Had Lucian ordered them to kill me again?

"Hunter, pass me the herbs on the stool over there," the man ordered. The other man, called Hunter, took a few steps towards a stool and returned with a bowl. As soon as the lid was removed from the bowl, a pungent smell invaded my nostrils and throat. I instinctively covered my mouth with my hands. What kind of smell is that?

"Here, drink this. You'll feel better," he urged, pushing the bowl towards me. The noxious smell intensified with each passing second. I shook my head, refusing it. "No!"

Was that my voice?

Both of them stared at me, their eyes wide, as if they didn't expect such a reaction from me. "Please, take it away. And who are you people?" I asked, my eyes darting between the two of them.

They exchanged glances. "Miss, I think what you should be concerned about is getting better because you were seriously injured."

"Did he send you to kill me again?" I shouted, but there was only silence. Great. That means they are Lucian's men. I pushed aside the covers that were hiding my body and attempted to put my feet on the ground. "Argh!" I cried out in pain as my arms twisted.

"Take it easy, miss. You're still injured," one of them said.

"Leave me alone," I snapped. My gaze fell on the axe he had dropped on the floor. Despite my weakened state, I managed to lift it up.

"Don't come near me," I warned. I knew that at any moment, my legs might give out due to their weakness, but I refused to give up. I had allowed them to shoot me before, but I wouldn't let these men kill me again. Lucian wouldn't have that satisfaction.

"Calm down, woman. We're not here to harm you or anything. We were the ones who saved you," one of them insisted. My body went rigid, but I quickly regained my composure.

"Do you think I'll believe your lies? I know he sent you to kill me. Shooting me wasn't enough for him; he wants to see my limbs torn apart!" I didn't care that my voice was rising with each breath I took. In a matter of seconds, the hunter guy pulled me forward, twisting my arm behind my back. I felt a surge of something like adrenaline rushing through my body before my vision started to turn blur. Next thing I knew, I fell into darkness.

When my eyes slowly focused on the white ceiling, I turned my head to see the man sitting with his arms crossed over his chest, eyes closed. All I could think about was escaping. Quietly, I got out of bed, clutching my side and tiptoed towards the door. Just one more step and I'd be out. "You should do yourself a favor and rest," he said, and I swear my bladder almost lost control. I was on the verge of peeing my pants.

I closed my eyes and turned back, pursing my lips. "Thought you were sleeping?"

"There's a difference between closing your eyes and actually sleeping," he replied, lowering his hands and standing up. "Come back and have a seat," he ordered. I could choose to ignore his words, but the look in his eyes didn't sit well with me. It felt like he was giving me a warning that said, ‘I will harm you if you don't behave.’

Reluctantly, I made my way back and sat down on the bed, but my mouth didn't stay quiet. "How could you people be so heartless? Don't you value human life?"

"Drink this," he handed me the same bowl of liquid that had almost made me throw up earlier.

"I won't drink it. I thought you wanted me dead," we locked eyes. I wasn't about to back down.

"Okay, how about this. I'll tell you what really happened. Since you don't want to appreciate the fact that we saved your life," he pulled a stool in front of me and sat down.

Don't trust him. Nira reminded me.

I kept my gaze steady, even though I was curious to know how I ended up alive in this situation. "So first of all, my name is Gabriel. Hunter is my brother. We found you hanging on a tree branch, covered in blood and bruises. At first, I didn't want to risk my life and go up the hill, thinking you might already be dead. But Hunter convinced me to check on you. That's how we brought you down, brought you to our house, and took care of your wounds. You were in bed for three days. Your heart was beating, but your pulse was weak. And now, you're accusing us of wanting to kill you. We are not killers here."

It took me some time to process everything he had said. Shivers ran down my spine. So I was given a second chance. I had never thought I would survive. I had already given up, seeing my body floating down the cliff. “It’s a miracle that you’re alive. I guess the moon goddess favors you.”

Unbeknownst to me, tears were streaming down my face, falling onto my hand. I sniffed, trying to compose myself. “I’m sorry. I got too emotional.”

“It’s fine. Sometimes we can’t control our emotions. Things happen in life. Thank God your baby is safe.”

I froze, my tears coming to a halt. “Which baby?” I asked, my eyes widening in shock.

“You don’t know? You’re pregnant.”

Every nerve in my body went weak. It felt as if I had been shot in the chest for the second time. Pregnant? Me? With Lucian’s child? No, that couldn’t be possible.

I shook my head in disbelief. "No, that's not possible. I can't be pregnant. I can't have his child. I don't..." The words choked in my throat as I broke down in tears.

"No... not Lucian. I don't want this baby!" I cried out, hitting my stomach. He reached out and grasped my hands. "Pull yourself together, Miss."

I jerked my hand away, my eyes bloodshot. "Leave me alone. You won't understand. I can't have his baby. Lucian is a wicked man. He wants me dead. He doesn't care about anything. I can't..."

He didn't interrupt me or say anything. I continued to cry, letting out all the pain inside me. But deep down, I knew that no matter what, I couldn't change what had happened. I couldn't change what he did to me, how he took advantage of me. And most of all, I couldn't change what was growing inside me.

"Are you done?" his voice finally broke the silence in the room.

"Are you mocking me?" I retorted, my eyes red from crying. "What do you even know? Men are all the same."

"Not all men. You just didn't get lucky. You're destined to fall into Lucian's trap. Don't blame all men for his actions."

"Get out."

"This is my house and my room. Behave yourself. A baby is growing inside you. Acting stubborn won't solve the problem. If Lucian were here, he would definitely take you away. And I won't hesitate to do the same."

Bile rose in my throat, and the urge to slap the man in front of me grew stronger. And so I did. I slapped him. "You don't know anything. So leave me alone and get out! I don't want to hear anything about Lucian!" I yelled, throwing everything I could grab onto the floor.

"I'll be outside. I'll come back when you're calm. I won't go easy on you. I don't care if you don't want the baby or if you hate Lucian. You're going to take the medication!" With that, he stormed out of the room, closing the door with a loud thud, sending shivers down my spine from the sound and his threats.