Crimson fears and Comforting arms

Esmeray's Pov

As we drive away from the chaos that happened in the blink of an eye, I gather my thoughts, reflecting on everything from the moment Daniel and his men took me from my home to where I am now. Emiliano saved me—he actually saved me. I can't help but feel a deep sense of relief and amazement that this man risked his life for mine. But why? We had just met. I wasn't someone he should have cared about, right? Yet, he did. He took not one, but two bullets for me.

His head rests on my lap while he applies pressure to one of his wounds. His eyes are fading in and out, but he keeps them on me instead of his injuries. I didn't even realize my eyes were wet from crying and processing everything until he gently wiped them away with his free hand and said, "Baby, I'm okay. There's no need to cry." That's when I knew I was already deeply attached to this man.

"Why did you come and save me, Emiliano?" I ask, the question running through my mind over and over in the last few minutes.

"Because," he begins, his voice breaking. His eyes close, and I start crying even harder at the thought of losing him after he had already saved my life. I remember screaming so much that the driver increased his speed to get to the place where I was hit. Nurses and medical staff were waiting for him and Marco when we arrived. Everything happened so quickly. I followed them to where they took Emiliano, determined to stay with him. He had stood by me from the very beginning and risked his well-being for mine. It felt like hours and hours as I prayed repeatedly, hoping he would make it out okay.

When Bella entered the waiting room, she cried out my name. I knew she was worried about me, considering everything that had happened. We both broke down in tears. Bella told me that Abuela had passed away the night I left the mansion. I was devastated and heartbroken. Abuela had been family to me. She welcomed me with open arms after my parents died and claimed me as her granddaughter. She taught me so many things that I carry with me to this day. She will forever hold a place in my heart, as one of the three women who helped me rebuild my life. Bella and her mother continued to raise me even after I was legally an adult. I knew how much it hurt Bella to not have Abuela at her wedding, and that's something that will affect her innocent heart forever.

After what felt like an eternity, the doctors finally gave us the good news that Emiliano was okay, and I was allowed to see him. When I walked in, his eyes were closed. I thought he was asleep, but when he heard my footsteps, he immediately opened his eyes and gave me the biggest smile. I tried to sit in the chair next to his bed, but he insisted I sit on the bed instead. There, I met his honey-colored eyes that I could never get enough of.

"I'm so glad you're okay," I began, my voice trembling. "I was really worried that you wouldn't make it. I kept thinking about how I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if you had risked your life for mine. The wait felt so long; I wanted to barge into the operating room just to check on you and see if everything was okay, but I had to control myself." I started crying again.

"Why are you crying, amor?" he asked, gently caressing my chin.

"Because I was scared," I sobbed. "I was scared that I might never return home, that everything I fought for—my freedom—would be taken away again. Daniel told me that Danny wanted to see me since he's getting out in a week, and I panicked at the thought of seeing him. I thought it was all over for me until I heard the gunshots. I thought it was nothing until you came in, and that's when I was finally able to breathe again. You saved me, Emiliano." I sobbed so much that he pulled me closer, kissing my forehead. "I can't thank you enough for bringing me back here. I don't know why I went home; I shouldn't have. I should have stayed where I was safe. I just—"

"Hey, hey, hey, relax, Esmeray. I had to do the right thing and get you out of there. Bella explained your past, and I knew I had to do something. The thought of letting you suffer again was out of the question because you never deserved any of it. You're safe now, my love, and I promise nothing and no one will hurt you again."