Bound by Shadows

5

I tried to keep it cool, but the pain seeped through my words, "You know, it's funny. Sometimes, I feel like my words are nothing to you. I've been telling you how I feel, but it's like I'm talking to a wall."

He ignored me, focused on his paperwork and seemingly unfazed, as I continued, "I miss the 'us' we used to be. It's like we're running on parallel tracks. I want you to really hear me, not just nod and let my words be utterly baseless."

There was a pause, a moment where I hoped for a flicker of understanding, but his response was indifferent, "Yeah, I get it." The unsaid words hung in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the distance that quietly proved my point.

I took a deep breath, a silent plea lingering in the air. "I don't want to be a stranger in my own marriage, Caelus."

He pauses, "Then leave."

Bolting upright, my heart races with the persistent knocks reverberating through the room, waking me from the dream—or was it not? I pushed myself to move quickly towards the door and opened it to reveal an unexpected guest.

"What are you doing here?"

Zavian grins, entering with unsettling ease. He promptly locks the door behind him, slamming the door on Tadashi.

"Pack your bags. We're leaving," Zavian orders, marching to the wardrobe. With purposeful urgency, he flings my clothes onto the bed, adding a layer of mystery to the abrupt intrusion.

Outside, Tadashi's frustration echoed through the continuous pounding on the door. "Open this door, Ian, you piece of shit!" his shouts reverberated, heightening the intensity of the situation.

As my hand inched toward the doorknob, ready to open it, my brother intervened, catching my hand and shaking his head solemnly.

"You weren't happy in this marriage; that's probably why you reached out to me, wanting to leave for New York. Our family was the reason your marriage didn't work well. I'm sorry I wasn't honest before things became official. I didn't want to shatter things for both of you."

My brows knitted in confusion, "What's the connection between our family and my marriage?"

Tadashi halted his door-banging, footsteps receding as he left, assuming he called for backup.

"I'll explain on the way. Pack your needs; we're short on time," he urged.

Caelus's words from last night couldn't leave my mind. Was leaving the right choice? He's been nothing but kind since I left the hospital—sweet, caring, always by my side. The idea of hurting him by leaving gnawed at me. He even started opening up to me yet, I couldn't shake off the doubt—was his kindness genuine or a manipulation because of my condition?

Pushing aside those thoughts, I trailed behind Zavian, gripping the hem of his shirt. He carried my suitcase as we descended the stairs, only to find Tadashi and a group of bodyguards blocking the exit. Eight of them, to be exact.

"Drop that bag and leave, Ian," he warned, his gaze shifting between us.

Zavian's voice dropped, "Tadashi, do you really want a challenge?"

"Please, don't complicate things for me," he drew a handgun, pointing it at my brother. Those behind him followed suit.

A surge of fear gripped me as the metallic glint of the handgun caught my eye. My heart pounded, and a knot tightened in my stomach making me sick.

Zavian blinked, breaking into a hysterical laugh. "We all know you wouldn't harm a friend," he drawled, diving into his pocket and retrieving a remote. "I've planted bombs around the house. If you won't let my sister and me leave, I'll bring this place down, and we'll all meet our end."

I stood in stunned silence, witnessing the tense situation unfold. Tadashi appeared conflicted, his gun still trained on Zavian. "You wouldn't dare," Tadashi's voice rumbled low.

My brother's laughter ceased, replaced by a frown. "You underestimated a Bianci," he declared, pressing the remote, and suddenly, a thunderous explosion reverberated through the house.

I screamed, getting to my knees, gripping the railings tightly as I desperately covered my ears. With eyes tightly shut, I braced for impact, but as I cautiously opened them, I witnessed the spectacle through the expansive window—a Mercedes engulfed in flames. It dawned on me that it was the very car Caelus always used for work. A surge of relief washed over me, realizing he had opted for a different vehicle today.

"So, old friend, will you let us leave?" My brother raised his voice, "Another press of this button, and it won't be Hudson's favorite car exploding next," he threatened, sending a shiver down my spine as fear gripped me.

Tadashi stood fearless, unwavering, yet his eyes simmered with anger. The others exchanged bewildered glances, clearly deeming this situation as absurd as I did. Suddenly, a ringing phone disrupted the tension. My brother, glancing at the caller ID, answered and put it on speaker.

"Let them leave. Do not fire."

Caelus's command cut through the tension, drawing a smirk from Zavian. He lifted an eyebrow at Tadashi, who remained unmoved, while the rest lowered their guns, hands raised in surrender.

"Can you tell your dog to put his gun down?" Zavian demanded over the phone.

"Put that damn gun down, Tadashi. If my wife gets hurt just because the both of you decide to be idiots, I'll kill you," Caelus's menacing threat was enough to make Tadashi grunt and put down his gun.

Zavian then turned his back to me and handed me the phone. "I'll be in the car," he stated, gracefully descending the stairs and effortlessly shouldering my bag while shoving his middle finger at Tadashi's face.

Shaking with fear, I turned off the speaker, clutching the phone to my ear. "Yes?" My voice trembled.

"Do you wish to leave, darling?" His soothing voice eased my nerves, but I remained silent, still gripping the railings, unsure how to respond. The whirlwind of events left me speechless, uncertain of my own desires. I had no idea what was going on, what I wanted, or if I had any say in the whole thing.

"I'll come to you, I promise," he assured when I didn't say anything, ending the call.

Releasing a lingering sigh, I took my time standing up. Tadashi wordlessly draped his suit jacket over my pajamas as I walked towards the car parked in the driveway. Slipping into the seat, I didn't exchange a word as my brother started the engine and drove away.