Light to Her Darkness

Chapter 3

He rubbed his face with his palm while the other hand was in his pocket. His dark brown eyes darkened and I could feel the anger that was burning in his veins. 

"And why the fuck did you faint?" He asked. 

His low but deadly voice sent shivers running through my body and my eyes watered with fear and agony.

My heart was beating so loud that I was sure he could hear it. 

I breathed heavily in order to calm myself and said, "The doctor said my body lacked the proteins causing it to shut off."

"Emma, I'm going to ask you this one last time. Why. The fuck. Did you faint?"

His voice frightened me and I'm pretty sure I was visibly shaking. I was afraid of him and at the same time, I was afraid for Lily. I felt scared, and angry, and alone. 

"I hadn't had proper food for quite a few days," I said trying my best to avoid his burning gaze.

After a moment of silence, I finally looked at Adrian to see his reaction which was a huge mistake. As soon as my eyes captured his, I felt my insides crumbling. Pure hate, rage, and disgust were visible in his eyes. My heart was breaking and I could do nothing about it.

"You stupid woman!" He said in a low dangerous voice which made my body tremble in fear.

I took a step back from his tormenting figure which he considered as an invitation because he took long strides towards me and pushed me to the wall while his hand wrapped around my throat. The IV pole that was connected to me was long gone and I could feel the blood trickling down from where the needle was inserted.

"Lily was your responsibility. How dare you played with her life. How dare you fucking drive that car when you knew you weren't well. If anything happens to her, I'm going to kill you." 

With each sentence, the grip of his hand tightened on my throat blocking my airway.

I opened my mouth to speak but wasn't able to find my voice. I stared into his furious gaze staring at me with nothing but pure hatred. I silently begged him to leave me. At least for now. 

As if hearing my thoughts he left my throat making me lose my balance and fall to the ground coughing and trying to catch my breath. My face was wet from the tears.

"I love Lily... More than my life... You should know it better than anyone." I said in between my coughs. Once I was breathing normally I stood up with my shaky legs and looked directly into his eyes. 

"You don't have to kill me if something happens to her because I'd already be dead. You know damn well that she is the only reason I'm breathing today. My life belongs to her... you don't get to tell me that I didn't carry my responsibility well enough because I know I tried my fucking best to fulfill her every wish even if that meant I have to go empty stomach for days."

"And yet she is the one fighting for her life and you are here giving me your damn justification." He sneered.

Before I could reply someone knocked on the door. I looked behind Adrian to see the officer standing at the door."

We need your statement regarding the accident."I nodded and looked back at Adrian as I said, "Sure officer."

I walked towards the bed while he settled on the visitor's chair near my bed. The officer turned to look at Adrian who was still standing there but facing us. 

"I would like for you to step out for a moment while I have a word with this young lady." the officer said.

"I'd rather stay." 

He said while putting both his hands in his pockets and leaning against the wall. I shift awkwardly when the gaze of the officers shifted to me. 

"Would that be okay miss?"

No. 

Definitely not. 

I don't want this guy to hover over me while I talked to the cop but instead, I just nodded my head and said, "Yeah. Go ahead with your questions."

"Alright then. How exactly did the accident happen?"

"As my doctor might have already told you I fainted while driving and crashed into a tree."

"What was your speed limit?"

I furrowed my eyes trying to remember the speed limit, "I'm not sure but I know I wasn't exceeding the speed limit."

The officer nodded accepting my answer.

"Why did you lose your consciousness?"

"Due to the lack of protein in my body."

"And why is that?"

"I might not have had a proper meal for days."

"Might?"

I shook my head and said, "I didn't have a proper meal for days."

"Why is that?"

"I didn't get paid for the last two weeks."

"Did Lily also have to skip her meals?"

"What? No!" I said immediately. "I make sure she eats her food. I have enough money saved to provide her meals every day."

"Are you sure about that?" the officer said while narrowing his eyes.

"What do you mean? Lily doesn't have to go skipping meals officer. You can ask her after her surgery if you want." I said harshly hating how they are questioning me about Lily.

I would do anything for Lily. And I mean anything. I would never risk her health even if it meant I had to be the one to skip the meals. 

"Oh, I'm going to need to have a word with her as well. And since the accident was your fault, your license might get suspended for at least six months." 

My eyes widened as I heard his statement. No no no I don't have enough money for cabs and the nearest bus stand from my place of work is like five miles.

"No need of that," Adrian spoke for the first time after standing silently for the whole conversation. 

Wait. Is he taking my side? 

My brows furrowed in confusion as I looked at him. He was typing something on his phone. 

Once he was done he kept his phone in his pocket and looked at me as he said, "I've asked the judge to revoke her license. Permanently. And it's done." 

Horrified, I looked at him. 

"No" I whispered. His mouth curved into a dangerous smirk when he sensed my fear.

"You can't do that Adrian," I whispered while tears gathered in my eyes.

"Sorry, who are you again?" The officer asked while confusion clearly lingering in his mind."Adrian Cromwell."

"The CEO of Cromwell&Sanders Enterprise, Adrian Cromwell?" His smirk deepened that gave away the answer to the officer's question and suddenly the officer was nervous and uncomfortable in his presence.

I turned to Adrian and said, "Adrian please don't do this. I need my license I—"

"Shut up! Shut the fuck up, Emma. You've done enough damage for a lifetime!" I flinched making my eyes squeeze. The pace of my heart increased and I felt the trembling spreading in my body. 

"Please," I whispered and closed my eyes. A hand touched my chin making me look at the person behind them. He lifted my face and made me look into his eyes.

He brought a finger to his lips and said, "Shh," my stomach twisted in fear as I looked at his dark eyes with the hint of cruelty hiding beneath. 

"Not one word, Emma," he whispered making my heart clench as tears left my eyes.

I gave a slight nod making him release my face and take a step back. I looked at my lap as I kept fidgeting my hands unable to hide my restless state.

The officer who was clearly uncomfortable excused his leave. Being alone with this monster was not an ideal situation and him watching me like a hawk was clearly not helping.