Someone Like Hugh -Draft Complete And EDITING-

Chapter Nine:

Amelia's POV:

Hugh disappeared from the crack in the door. I felt relief wash over me. "Have you learned your place yet?" my mother growled.

"Yes mother," I replied flatly.

"Good," she spoke as she stepped onto my back and walked over me. "Go clean yourself up for dinner, you're a mess."

She then left the room. I pushed up carefully on my arms. I felt weak, but I fought through the pain. I coughed painfully and quickly covered my mouth. When I pulled it back, my hand was coated in blood. I leaned up and grabbed the box of tissues from the small table beside me.

I groaned as the box slid and toppled onto my head. I grabbed a few tissues and wiped my hands. I forced myself to my feet and looked in the mirror. I wiped my face and left the room, making my way painfully towards my own. When I got there, Hugh was standing outside my door.

"You should be getting ready," I teased.

"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly taking my head in his hands and looking into my eyes.

"I'm fine, that was nothing, I've dealt with much worse," I smiled. It was meant to be reassuring, but the moment my words left my lips, I realized just how messed up that sounded.

Concern flooded his eyes, but I held back. I didn't need him to save me, or protect me. "Amelia, that's not something you should just be used to," he spoke.

I opened my door and ushered him inside. "Thank you for caring, and for worrying, but I have this under control," I spoke.

"This isn't right," he replied shaking his head.

"This isn't about right or wrong! This is about doing what needs to be done to protect my family," I exclaimed. "Sometimes the world isn't fair, sometimes it's not all sunshine and fucking rainbows. Sometimes we need to just do what we have to so we can keep the ones we love safe. This is one of those times!" I yelled back at him. I felt a trickle of warm liquid slide from my nose. "Fuck!"

I rushed to the bathroom and gathered a few tissues to stop the bleeding. "Who will take care of you, then?" he asked.

"I don't need anyone to take care of me, I'll manage. I always have, and I always will," I smiled softly. "Go get ready "Henry" it will be time for dinner soon. Do you have dress clothes?" I asked him.

"Your brother lent me some. Something tells me my tux from my wedding would be too formal and my sweats too informal," he smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes.

"How are you holding up?" I asked. "You were supposed to be married today. Even though you called off the wedding, it must be hard."

"You're standing here with a bloody nose after you were just abused, and yet you're asking how I am?" he chuckled darkly.

"What? Would you rather I be a heartless bitch?" I asked defensively, crossing my arms.

"You couldn't be if you tried. I slammed you into a wall and you brought me home like a lost puppy," he chuckled. "Joanna and I were childhood friends. As we grew older both of our parents kind of forced us into becoming something more. We grew apart, she cheated, and it made me realize that we weren't really right for eachother. I love her, but like a sister, not how a man should love his wife," he explained in a much more serious tone. "I guess it bothers me more that she couldn't tell me, that she had to sneak around."

"I'm sorry, that has to be rough," I spoke, washing my face now that the bleeding had finished.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked. I nodded in response. "Are you really okay?"

"Yes," I smiled, throwing the tissues away and grabbing new ones.