Brought By Destiny

Chapter 14

Safety in His Arms

Lilly’s POV:

I slowly pried my eyes open, the sterile, white environment slowly coming into focus. I was in a hospital room. The rhythmic beeping of the monitor was the only sound in the quiet space.

Fragmented memories drifted back to me, the warehouse, the cold floor, and the moment Michael lifted me into the ambulance before everything went black.

I turned my head slightly and saw him. Michael was asleep on the small couch by the wall. He looked utterly exhausted, his brow furrowed even in sleep, appearing stressed and uncomfortable.

A wave of guilt washed over me. He was enduring all of this, the danger, the sleepless nights, the police because of me. A single tear escaped and tracked down my cheek.
I turned my face away, unable to look at him. I didn't know how I would face him when he woke up. The memory of the state he found me in, broken and half-naked
filled me with a deep sense of embarrassment.

Yet, despite the shame, I couldn't deny the truth: I felt safer in his arms than anywhere else. There was a strange, undeniable pull whenever he was near me.
The sound of the door opening brought me back to reality.

A nurse walked in, followed by Jack, Andy, and Jeni. My friends rushed to my side, their faces a mixture of relief and sorrow. Jeni sat on the stool next to my bed, clutching my hand and kissing it, her tears falling onto my skin. Andy placed a hand on her shoulder and gave me a small, supportive smile, which I tried my best to return.

Jack nodded at me kindly before walking over to the couch to wake Michael. I kept my gaze fixed on my blankets, though I could feel Michael’s eyes on me the moment he stirred.

"You can take her home by tomorrow evening," the nurse said, looking at Andy and Jeni as she checked my vitals. "But you must be very careful with her left leg. The fracture hasn't fully healed yet."

"That’s great news!" Andy said, his eyes brightening as he looked at me. I offered him a weak smile.

"Thank you so much, nurse," Jeni added, her voice thick with emotion.
The nurse nodded and then turned her attention to Michael. "Mr. Knight, I need you to step out and finish some remaining formalities."

"Of course," Michael replied. They both exited the room, and I let out a long breath of relief the moment the door clicked shut.

"If it wasn't for him, you wouldn't have survived," Jack said softly, watching me with a faint, knowing smile. I kept my expression blank, unsure of how to respond.

"Seriously, the guy was ready to drop five thousand just to save you,"
Andy muttered, his tone edged with annoyance. "I can't believe it. I think he’s just trying to play the 'good guy' act."

"Can you guys please stop?" Jeni snapped, glaring at Andy. "She just woke up."

I took a deep, shaky breath and tried to speak, but my throat felt like it was lined with sandpaper. "Where is Ryan? How is he?" I asked, my voice coming out as a raspy whisper.

"He’s at home with Jazz. Don't worry, Lilly, he’s doing great," Jack reassured me with a gentle smile.
"Do you want anything?" Jeni asked concernedly.

"Water," I croaked.

She nodded quickly, leaning over to the side table to pour a glass from the jug. Jack helped prop me up against the pillows while Jeni held the glass to my lips. As the water hit my throat, it felt both terrible and wonderful, stinging the raw tissue but providing desperate relief.

The door opened again, and Michael walked back in. My heart skipped a beat, and that familiar wave of uncomfortable tension returned.
I hated feeling so vulnerable, so unable to handle the weight of my own emotions. Michael stood beside Jack, and for a moment, the room fell into a heavy, pin-drop silence.

"Are the formalities finished?" Jeni asked, trying to break the awkward air.

"Yeah, everything is taken care of," Michael said, his voice sounding steady and confident.

I kept my head down, staring at my fingers and picking at the hospital gown, avoiding his gaze at all costs.
"I think we should head out," Jack announced suddenly. I looked up at him, my eyes wide with shock.

"Yeah, you're right," Jeni agreed, giving me a small, pointed smile. "Now that we know you're fine, we'll head home and visit again tomorrow morning."

I looked at her in disbelief. They were doing this on purpose. I knew my friends; they were leaving me alone with him. I hate them so much right now, I thought, even as I felt a spark of panic.

"I’m staying here with her," Andy cut in, and I gave him a look of pure gratitude.

"No, you're not," Jeni said, grabbing Andy by the arm and glaring at him.
"Michael is here. Besides, my parents are coming over for dinner tonight, and you are coming with me."

I pouted Andy, silently begging him to stay, but Jeni’s glare was clearly the stronger force. She pulled him toward the door, pausing only to kiss my forehead. Jack gave me a quick side-hug and whispered something into Michael’s ear before leaving. Michael smiled and nodded in response.

Once they were gone, the silence in the room became deafening. My heart was thumping against my ribs. Michael moved to the edge of my bed and sat down. When he reached out and took my hand, I stiffened, my eyes snapping shut.
I felt his finger under my chin, gently tilting my face upward.

"Look at me," he said. His voice was soft, but it carried a weight of command that I couldn't ignore.

I slowly opened my eyes and looked into his dark brown depths. There was an emotion swirling in them that I couldn't quite name, but the intensity of it broke something inside me.

Without thinking, I lunged forward and threw my arms around him, hugging him with everything I had.
I sobbed against his shoulder, and to my immense relief, he wrapped his arms around me instantly.

He held me tight, stroking my back and pressing a gentle kiss to the side of my head. When we finally pulled apart, he cupped my face with his hands, wiped away my tears, and kissed my knuckles. I just stared at him, lost for words.

"Feeling better?" he asked, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

"Much better," I whispered with a faint, genuine smile.

"Good. Don't worry anymore. You’re safe here," he said, his expression turning firm and protective.
"Anthony is finally in prison. He can't hurt you ever again."

I nodded lamely, the reality of my freedom finally starting to sink in.
"Get some rest," he said, standing up. "I'll go find you something to eat."

He helped me lie back down and tucked the covers around me before heading out. As soon as the door closed, the exhaustion took over, and I drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.