Two Steps Behind

Part 29

 Elizabeth laid in the bed, her entire body trembling uncontrollably. It had taken twenty minutes for them to get her calmed down. The doctor had resorted to giving her something through her IV. It had taken the edge off but she still felt like she wanted to dart from the room, though the pain pounding at the base of her skull was deterring her and the pain in her ribs was indicating she wouldn't make it far. No medication was going to take away the fact that her worst nightmare was standing across from her, her own personal monster was staring right at her.

Her eyes moved around the room, desperately seeking but only seeing David, Angie, her mom, a cop, a doctor, and a nurse but not the only face she really wanted to see. The only face that would bring her comfort, make her feel safe.

"Where's Eddie?" she asked, avoiding David's gaze as she did so, knowing the very question would only ignite fury within him. But she could feel his eyes as if they would burn right through her.

"Well, sweetheart," David replied through clenched teeth and her whole body seized at the sound of his voice, her fight or flight response kicking in. "I didn't think it was very appropriate for your lover to be here right now. I am your husband. I was so worried about you. Can you imagine what it was like for me to get that call, to hear that you'd been so badly injured you'd been taken to the hospital? I thought I was going to lose you. You already ran away from me, breaking my heart. I was riddled with grief and worry. I hope you can forgive me if I wasn't comfortable sitting here with the guy you cheated on me with and left me for."

"He made him leave," Debi added quickly, leaning forward, her eyes speaking volumes. "Elizabeth, Eddie didn't want to go. He would have been right at your side when you woke, but if he didn't go, the cop would have arrested him. We didn't want him going to jail. Gareth had to practically drag him out of here. He was trying to refuse."

"He's been sitting in the parking lot this whole time. He won't leave until he knows you're okay," Angie continued. "I saw him on my way in."

"I want to see Eddie," Elizabeth stated, eyes focused on her mother, still refusing to look at her abuser.

"That's not happening," David snapped, sneering at her. "I am your husband. I am in charge of this situation. It is my word that matters and I am allowed to say if I don't want someone allowed in this room."

"Actually," the cop interjected, stepping forward, "that little rule only applies when she is unable to speak for herself. When she was incapacitated, you had the power to make choices in her best interest, if that's what you can call it. If she's awake and alert, and she clearly is, she can make her own decisions about who she does or does not want to see or talk to. Speaking of which, I am going to need you all to clear out for a moment so I can speak with her about the events of last night."

"Absolutely not. I am her husband and I demand that I am here while you talk to her," David said harshly.

"Husband or not, I need to question her alone," the cop snapped. "She is not your child. She is your wife and a grown woman. Your power trip ends here, I'm afraid. She's awake and perfectly capable of speaking for herself. Considering you're a suspect in the attack, it would be unethical to have you in the room when we talk to her."

"Me a suspect? That's absurd," David scoffed, and damn if he wasn't a good actor. He truly looked shocked and offended at the very accusation. "I have been sitting by her side this whole time, scared to death I was going to lose my wife. I have been doing everything I can to get her to come back to me because I love her. Why the hell would I hurt her? If you should be looking at anybody, it should be that long haired freak!"

"Eddie would never hurt me. He is not a suspect. He didn't do this. Can my mom stay while you question me?" Elizabeth asked, trying the best she could to ignore David and his serpent tongue full of lies. How dare he try to point a finger at the one man who would never cause her harm.