A Fresh Ending

Chapter 6

A/N:  I feel like this chapter is all over the place.  I really appreciate the reads and the votes.  Comment on what you want to see happen.  I am always opened to suggests.  

I spent the next few days in Steve's room, sitting in front of the fire with a book in my hand. We didn't say much to each other since the night he expressed his feelings. It was the usual 'Hi.' upon I entered the room, a few longing glances between us and a sweet 'Good night!" But we remained engrossed in our books and food when lunch rolled around. Even without exchanging words, I enjoyed my time with Steve with each passing day.

I watched his face slowly heal, bruises turning yellow and cuts turning to scars. His pain seemed to lessen each day. The nurse even taught me how to change Steve's bandages. Steve said he rather have me helping him. I had to admit hearing Steve wanting me to care for him made me feel desired.

Today started differently. My door was closed when I woke up. I frowned, knowing I left it open on purpose because I wanted to be able to get to Steve if he needed me. I threw my robe over my body, shuffling to the door. I slowly opened it, finding Alec, one of Steve's many guards, standing outside.

The man smiled at me, "Good morning, Ms. Y/L/N. Breakfast will be delivered to your room this morning."

"Why?" I whispered, leaning my head against the door.

"It's at Mr. Kemp's request," Alec answered, keeping his eyes trained forward.

I scowled, taking a step outside my room and peeking down the hall. I found guards standing outside Steve's room with a blonde woman gracing his doorway. I gazed up at Alec, pointing at the display down the hall.

"Mr. Kemp wants you to stay in your room," the guard responded. "Please, just go back inside."

It sounded as if he was almost begging me to do so. I turned to return to my room, but not before looking eyes with the woman. Alec pushed me inside the room, insisting for I remain quiet. He shut the door rather hard, shuffling his body in front of my closed door.

Who was that woman? I never saw her around the house since waking up over a week ago. I nibbled on my bottom lip, contemplating every possible person she could be. And why did I have to be shut up in my room while she was here?

I decided that I would wait till she left and ask Steve. Obviously, he would tell who she was. Or would he? Knowing he cared didn't amount to him telling me every detail of his life. Did I even have a right to ask him about the woman? Why did I even care? A strange woman in his home didn't mean anything.

I repeated that last sentence in my head continuously. I wanted to believe it so much. I didn't want another woman taking Steve's attention away from me. I knew I had no right to feel jealous. I was still just Steve's prisoner, still unsure of what my fate would be.

I curled into my chair next to the window, watching the gray clouds move across the sky. A storm was brewing, and I couldn't wait to hear the rain crash against my window panes while thunder cracked all day and night.

I jumped at the sound of a woman's voice just outside my door. I glance over my shoulder, finding the door slowly opening.

"You are not allowed in there," I heard Alec express.

"You don't get to tell me what to do," the woman said as she tried to push her way into my room.

"Mr. Kemp told me to keep you out of here, so that's what I'm going to do," Alec responded, keeping himself between the woman and myself.

"Alec, move now!" she demanded.

"Mrs. Kemp, you need to leave now!" he commanded, pushing her back, and closing the door tightly.

Mrs. Kemp? Steve's married? No, it can't be true. I wrestled with the thought, leaving my heart hurt. I believed with Noa gone, I would have his full attention. A tear cascaded down my cheek just as the clouds opened, realizing a massive amount of rain.

I moved to my bed, hiding under the oversized comforter, allowing it to swallow my body and all I felt. I remained there all day, not moving even when Ms. White delivered my meals. I heard her question if I was okay, but I remained quiet. Truth being, I didn't know if I was okay.

I cried, wondering if Steve actually cared about me. Hearing he had a wife meant he could have just said those words to get me to trust him. He was a master at manipulation. Steve charm lured me to the cell in the basement, along with all those other women. My stomach turned, hating myself for believing he could care about anyone but himself.

I wanted nothing to do with the man down the hall. I knew keeping my distance from Steve wouldn't bode well for me, but I couldn't look at him, knowing he lied to me again. More tears covered my cheeks, feeling like a fool for believing anyone would ever care for me.

"Ms. Y/L/N, Mr. Kemp requests your presence," Alec called from the other side of the door.

I answered him with silence, praying that he would think that I was asleep. The very thought of seeing Steve made me sick to my stomach. Things would change once Steve became mobile again, but for now, I knew my best option was hiding in my room.

"Please, Ms. Y/L/N," Alec begged, hearing my door creak open.

I kept still, hoping it would encourage the man to leave me alone. Defying Steve wasn't probably my best move, but it was the only control I had over this situation. I knew he would come to me, ordering me to tell him what was wrong. I would face Steve another day. I needed time to deal with learning about the wife.

I sighed once I heard my door close. I allowed my eyes to close slowly, feeling myself relax a bit. I allowed myself to open up to Steve, so shutting down would definitely set the man off. Sure enough, Steve's voice echoed through the house.

"Y/N!" he screamed from across the house.

I pulled the comforter over my head, trying to drown out the man's voice. Steve kept calling for me, almost sounding desperate at moments. I sobbed, listening to his pleas, begging me to see him. I wanted to run from my room to his arms, begging him to hold me. I needed him to tell me the blonde meant nothing. As much as I desired Steve, I knew that wouldn't happen. So I lay in my bed, crying till I fell asleep, dreaming about the man down the hall.