Love, Evangeline

47.

Song: Possibilities by Lykke Li-the song above is for later on in the chapter, after the lady Evangeline helps off the ground runs away.

Sitting with my back against the headboard, my eyes glued themselves onto the end of the bed. I hadn't blinked, moved, I could barely feel my heart beating. After yesterday's collision at the fashion show, my mind didn't know what to believe. A sudden wave of anxiety every now and then would wash over my body, sending a dense feeling into my chest. I forced myself multiple times last night to believe that who I saw wasn't who I saw. He was gone, Domenico made sure of it. From the way his piercing voice stung my body, to his skin crawling, devilish smirk, I spent a majority of the night manipulating myself into knowing he was gone.

Walking out of the closet, Domenico buttoned up his white dress shirt before slipping on his suit jacket. I physically and mentally couldn't tell Domenico that the man who kidnapped, tortured, and nearing killed me might've been at the fashion show yesterday afternoon. Talking about it, let alone thinking about it made it seem like it was true, that he was still alive. " Hey," Domenico said softly as he walked up to me. My entire body felt utterly numb and listless, even if I attempted to move a limb, it was pointless. " Evangeline," Domenico said softly. Inhaling deeply, I looked up at Domenico. Tucking strands of hair behind my ear, Domenico asked, " are you okay?" My body melted against the warmth of his touch, desperately craving it.

I nodded, even though the raging feeling of complete exhaustion and fear hugged its arms around me. The way Domenico stared down at me informed me that he knew that I was lying. " We talk about things to each other, remember?" Domenico asked. " I know," I simply said back. A small smile tugged at the corners of Domenico's mouth before slowly fading away, slight concern gleamed in his eyes. " You wanna talk about something?" Domenico asked. I shook my head, not wanting the nightmares of last night and the strangling fear that had captivated me at the fashion show to resurface again. Sitting down in front of me, Domenico said, " I know that what happened to you can't be undone, trust me, I blame myself for it every fucking day. We're in this together, so please Evangeline, I need you to talk to me."

I averted my gaze down to my hands as Domenico stared at me with eyes full of tenderness and slight worry. Taking my hands in his, Domenico begged, " scream, hit me, cry, do whatever the hell you need to do, but please Evangeline, don't push me away." Shoving back the choking tears that were threatening to fill my eyes, I looked up at Domenico and said softly, " I am so tired Domenico, I can't breathe." An unexpected tear trickled down my cheek, I instantly wiped it away as my eyes instantly filled up with tears. " Baby, come here," Domenico murmured. Instantly wrapping my arms around Domenico's neck, I pulled my body up against his. Hot tears began streaming down my face as Domenico'a massaging hands rubbed my back.

" Breathe baby, it's okay," Domenico hushed me as he slid his arms around my waist, pulling me tight against his body. I sucked in air as a dense feeling nestled itself in my throat. " Evangeline, I need you to breathe," Domenico calmly instructed me. I shook my head, I didn't have any control over anything, I was locked out of my own body. " It h-hurts, Domenico," I choked out as tears stung my numb cheeks. " I know baby, and I'm so sorry," Domenico said, his voice shook as his arms tightened their embrace around me. Squeezing my eyes closed, I buried my face against the side of Domenico's neck. " I promise you Evangeline, I am never letting you go again," Domenico assured me.

From the surreal dreams that had haunted my sleep to the heart stopping event from yesterday, I knew something was wrong. Domenico had taken care of Giuliano, weather that meant killing him or threatening him out of Rome. Those cold nights spent in the rusty, bloodstained cell tortured my memory, worse than before. " Evangeline," Domenico whispered. Opening my eyes, I stared at the bathroom door as the residue of tears blurred my vision. " Baby, please look at me," Domenico murmured. Inhaling softly, I unwrapped my arms from around Domenico's neck before turning my head towards Domenico.