Inessa

11

Something had changed, and I couldn't quite place my finger on it. Ever since that night, when I stood outside her door with a bouquet in one hand and dinner in the other, things had shifted.

She had looked so frail, sitting on that couch, exhaustion evident in every movement. But it was that one word she had uttered—"Stay"—that had unsettled me. I wasn’t the kind of man who got easily affected, yet something about her plea stirred something deep inside me. I had no idea what was wrong with me, but I knew one thing—I enjoyed being around her.

Our dinners had become a quiet routine. Silence had never been an issue for me; I spoke only when necessary. Yet, with her, even the silence felt peaceful. Her presence had crept into my life like a soft breeze, and before I knew it, I had started looking forward to our evenings together. She was healing, her wound almost fully recovered. And despite my usual restraint, I had to admit—I missed her presence in my home. I missed seeing her every morning, preparing breakfast, humming a soft tune. Now that she wasn’t coming over, there was an unfamiliar emptiness.

I finished the last of my work later than expected and checked my watch. I was late. Would she be waiting? Did she care if I showed up? Pushing aside the ridiculous thoughts, I picked up dinner and made my way to her apartment.

As soon as I reached her door, a weak, pleading voice reached my ears.

"Please. No."

My blood ran cold.

Inessa.

I didn’t think—I acted. The door wasn’t locked, thank God, and I pushed it open.

Rage exploded inside me at the sight before me. A filthy bastard was hovering over her, his disgusting hands too close to her body. My dinner bag hit the floor with a thud as I launched at him, dragging him off her with a force that sent him sprawling.

I didn’t hold back.

I punched him. Again. And again.

The rage inside me burned hotter with every second, every thought of what could have happened if I hadn’t arrived in time. I saw nothing but red as I rained blows down on him.

"Leo!"

Her voice, soft yet firm, snapped me out of it. I froze, breathing heavily. The bastard was barely recognizable, his face bloodied and swollen.

Police arrived within minutes. I had no idea when I had called them, but I must have because they took one look at me—at him—and didn’t ask questions. They hauled him away without a word.

The moment they were gone, I turned to her. She was trembling, her usually bright eyes filled with fear. My chest tightened painfully.

I knelt before her, carefully untying the ropes around her wrists. Bruises were already forming, dark against her pale skin. My jaw clenched as I gently caressed her cheek where a red mark from his slap still lingered.

"Where's your first aid kit?" I asked, my voice lower than usual.

"Bathroom. Second cabinet," she whispered.

I found it easily and returned, kneeling beside her. She flinched slightly when I touched her, and something inside me cracked. I forced myself to be gentle, applying ointment to her bruises with careful hands.

She didn’t say a word, but as soon as I was done, her fingers gripped my shirt tightly. And then she broke down.

Silent sobs shook her small frame, her tears soaking my shirt as she hid her face against my chest. Without a second thought, I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close.

"Shh," I murmured, running a soothing hand down her back. "You're safe now. No one will ever hurt you again. I swear it."

She didn’t reply, just clung to me like I was the only thing keeping her together.

I glanced around at the wreckage of her apartment, my decision made.

"You’re coming with me."

Before she could protest, I scooped her into my arms. She didn’t fight me. She didn’t say a word the entire drive to my home. She just stared blankly out of the window, lost in her thoughts.

And I… I was consumed by my own. What if I had been a few minutes late? What if I hadn’t come at all? The thought alone made my grip on the steering wheel tighten.

When we arrived, I carried her inside and straight to my bedroom. I set her down gently on the bed and crouched in front of her, cupping her tear-streaked face.

"I promise you, Butterfly, you're safe here. Nothing will ever touch you under my roof. Now, get changed and rest. We’ll talk in the morning."

I handed her a T-shirt and a pair of trousers. She nodded silently and disappeared into the bathroom. When she returned, the clothes were far too big on her small frame, but she looked comfortable.

"Good night, Inessa."

"Please stay."

It was the second time she had asked me that.

I nodded and settled on the couch. She curled up in my bed, facing me, and within minutes, her breathing evened out.

I, however, couldn’t sleep. I watched her, the moonlight casting a soft glow on her face. She looked so small, so fragile.

Then she whimpered.

"No… please…" she mumbled, thrashing slightly. A nightmare.

I was by her side in an instant.

"Inessa," I murmured, taking her hand. Her fingers tightened around mine.

Her breathing slowed, her brow smoothing out. She didn’t let go, even in sleep.

With a sigh, I leaned against the headboard, still holding her hand.

Morning came too soon. I awoke to find her staring at me, confusion evident in her eyes.

"You were having a nightmare," I explained, stretching. "I stayed."

She nodded slowly. "Thank you, Mr. Rossi… for everything."

I frowned. "You don’t have to thank me, Inessa. I owe you more than you know. And stop calling me Mr. Rossi. Call me Leo."

"Leo," she whispered, testing the name.

"Now, go freshen up. There’s an extra toothbrush in the bathroom. I’ll make breakfast."

She came down a while later, dressed neatly, but still hesitant. We ate in comfortable silence until she broke it.

"I’m sorry for troubling you," she murmured, staring at her plate.

I sighed, setting down my fork. "Don’t say that again. You are not a trouble, Inessa. And one more thing—you're not going back to that apartment."

Her head snapped up. "Leo, I—"

"No." I cut her off, holding her hand. "You can't live there anymore. It’s dangerous. I won’t risk something like last night happening again. You’re staying here. End of discussion."

She looked at me, eyes searching mine for something. Finally, she nodded.

"Okay."

And just like that, she became a part of my world. A world I had no intention of letting her leave.