Roel smiled as he heard from Oliver that Ivy and Nick were back. He quickly left the house. He arrived at his parents' house minutes later and found Ivy seated alone at the settee. He looked around then back at her.
" Ivy."
She quickly stood, turning to him. He walked towards her. She turned upstairs. He also turned upstairs. Oliver was standing there, looking down at them. She turned to Roel. He was still looking at Oliver. Oliver gave him a slight nod and walked to his room. Roel knew he was going to keep Nick inside and he was grateful for that. Ivy wondered why Roel was not scared of Oliver. She noticed he was already gone.
" Ivy. " He said getting closer to her. She turned upstairs again and before she knew it, a hand held her waist and she felt him close.
" Stop looking for him. I'm sure he is discussing important matters with my father."
" Let go of me." She tried to pull away but it made matters worse as he held on to her tightly. She winced at the pain she was feeling. He made the grip tighter.
" You did not listen to me, huh?" He was furious and she could sense it in his voice. They heard movements and he quickly covered her mouth then dragged her to the balcony. She tried to fight him but he was stronger.
Nick walked downstairs wondering where Ivy had gone. He looked around and started shouting her name. Oliver watched him as he took out his phone. He smiled. He called her and her phone rang on the settee. He took it and looked around.
" Ivy?"
" I am sure she didn't go far. I think you should wait for her here. As you wait for Gabriella." Nick nodded and sat down on the settee, taking out his phone.
Roel let go of Ivy's mouth warning her not to scream. She looked at him angrily.
" I am a married woman. You should not try to get any clos..." She stopped when he filled the gap between them and forcefully kissed her. She tried to pull away but it only made him furious. He pulled away from the kiss and grabbed her hair, pulling it. She groaned in pain, her eyes shut.
" Are you insane Ivy? You belong to me. To ME ALONE." He said, annoyed of her sudden courage. He then turned to her lips. He hit her head against the wall angrily. She felt weak and tried to open her eyes but her eyes remained shut. She felt him kissing her again and she could do nothing. She was still feeling the throbbing pain in her head. Now she wanted to scream, but she was too weak to do so. The next thing she felt was his hand on hers and her ring leaving her finger.
She thought Roel would respect the fact that she was now married, moreso to his brother. Clearly, she was very wrong. It made him worse. Now her fear came back. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. He gently wiped off her tears.
" It's not yet time to cry Ivy. The time to cry is coming. You can leave now." Ivy did not wait for another word. She weakly ran to the living room. He smiled.
Nick looked up at Ivy. He stood up.
" Ivy, what have you been doing at the balcony?" She hugged him tightly, trying to hold back her sobs. Nick hugged her back and closed his eyes. Roel slowly walked to the living room. Nick's eyes were still closed. Roel looked at them and walked away. Ivy lost consciousness in Nick's arm. Nick held on to her worriedly. Roel was outside when he heard Nick shouting out Ivy's name. He turned and walked back inside. Nick was now carrying Ivy, bridal style. He quickly walked out of the house. Roel turned to Oliver who was giving him a questioning look.
" What?"
" What did you do to her?"
" Nothi... Oh no! I hit her head against the wall." He said as he recalled it.
" I am sure you were angry. Learn to control it. You might end up killing her."
" I can never kill her."
" Actions speak louder than words. After what you just did, it is clear that if she pushes you further, you will not hesitate to hurt her."
***
Nick waited for the doctor's report. He was seated next to Ivy on her hospital bed. She was still unconscious. He wondered what was wrong with her. She had never collapsed and he did not know why she did now. He looked away.
The doctor entered the room and Nick turned to him.
" Doctor, how is my wife?"
" It seems like she hit the back of her head against a surface. It has slightly affected her brain's occipital lobe. She is fine though since it was not greatly affected. However, she should be careful not to hit the back of her head again. To prevent damage to her occipital lobe."
Nick nodded and the doctor left. He turned to Ivy. A drop of tear fell off her right eye. He touched her hand and she opened her eyes quickly and pulled her hand away.
" Hey hey, Ivy it's me."
She sat up and looked at him then at the door.
" How are you feeling?"
" I am feeling okay. Let us go home."
" Not until you tell me what happened to you. How did you hit your head?"
" It was Roel. Nick, Roel did this to me." Nick squinted at her in confusion.
" Roel? Ivy, are you sure? Ivy, he entered the house just as I was carrying you out."
" He was with me at the balcony Nick. Believe me. He... He kissed me by force and when I tried to pull away, he hit my head against the wall. Nick, don't you trust me?"
" I trust you Ivy but I'm also sure I saw him entering the house when I hurried to my car with you." Ivy raised her right hand and looked at her fingers.
" My ring. He took it." Nick looked at her fingers then at her. He thought she was becoming confused and wanted to consult the doctor about her current state.
" Ivy, are you sure you did not misplace it?"
" Nick, I'm not careless. He took it. You can go ask him about it."
" I think you need to get some rest. I will talk to the doctor." He stood and turned to leave.
" All this while Nick? Why?" He stopped and turned to her confused.
" Why what?"
" Why have you not been believing anything I say?"
" Ivy, I want to believe it all but what I know is the barrier. I know Roel usually has hate and anger issues but he... He cannot kill. I know you hit your head and you are blaming him yet I saw him entering the house after you lost consciousness. Ivy, do you think it is easy for me to believe all of this? I'm trying to but I can't." He saw the pain in her eyes and realized the weight of his words. He walked to her and hugged her, apologizing.
Ivy knew she had no option than prove to Nick that everything she tells him is true and was willing to go to any extent to do so. She believed that as long as Nick knew the truth, she had strong support.
***
Roel whistled happily as he entered the house. He looked around and did not see Trevor. He got bored and sat down sadly. He always enjoyed bothering Trevor with his whistling. He recalled his kiss with Ivy and smiled.
It is just the beginning Ivy. Soon I'll have you all to myself. No marriage certificate or ring will stop me. You belong to me.
