God of Strength (Light of Obsession #1)

Chapter 30

Alicia

    As the door clicked shut behind my parents, the sudden silence in the room felt heavy and strange. I turned my head slightly to meet Vaughn's gaze, his expression a mix of relief and something darker that I couldn't quite place. Regret coiled in my stomach at the sight of him so pale, so shaken.

       "Kukolka..." His voice was soft, almost a whisper, cracking under the weight of his emotions. "You scared me. I thought—" He struggled to finish the sentence, emotions festering behind his eyes.

     I could feel the weight of his words, the fear that had flooded him while I was unconscious. Reaching out, I squeezed his hand, the painful grip he'd had on me loosening as I did. "I'm okay, really. Just a little tired." I tried to summon a reassuring smile, even if it felt like a stretch.

      His knuckles brushed against my skin, warm and rough. "You have no idea what it's like to sit outside and wait while they operate on you," he said, his voice thick with lingering tension. "I felt completely helpless. I wanted to threaten to kill them if they fail. Well, you father did threaten to sue the hospital to the ground if anything goes wrong.

"Of course he did," I say through chuckles. "I'm here. I'm alive. That's what matters."

         He nodded slowly, his eyes drifting away for a moment as he took a breath, like he needed to wrestle with his thoughts. "You mean everything to me, Alicia. You're my whole world. I don't know what I would've done if..." His voice trailed off, and for a moment, I saw it—the vulnerability he rarely allowed the world to witness.

        "What you would've done?" I prompted gently, wanting to draw him back from whatever dark abyss threatened to pull him under. "You're strong, Vaughn. You carry a lot."

     His gaze captured mine again, and for a brief moment, the chaos of the world outside faded. "Maybe so, but strength doesn't mean I wouldn't fall apart if I lost you."

       "Then let's promise not to fall apart." I squeezed his hand again, my serious tone inviting him to reflect. "Let's promise to be there for each other through all of this. You don't have to shoulder everything alone. How about we share the burden? You'll keep me safe while I keep you sane."

      His eyes softened at that, a warmth filling the space between us that felt comforting and familiar. "Deal." He laughed gently. "But you know I have a bit of a reputation when it comes to protecting what's mine."

        "Hmm, possessive, are we?" I grinned, enjoying our playful banter, the familiar tug of affection curling in my chest. "Maybe I can just be a little more difficult to handle then."

       Vaughn raised an eyebrow, a mock seriousness adorning his face, though the glimmer of amusement lingered in his eyes. "Don't make me chase you after I just almost lost you."

       The weight of his words settled again, but this time with a sense of understanding. I inched closer, feeling the warmth radiating from him like a protective shield. "I'm not going anywhere, Vaughn. Not without you."

       For the first time since I'd woken up, Vaughn visibly relaxed. "Good," he murmured before rising slightly from his chair. He leaned in, brushing his lips softly against my forehead, a gesture that both soothed and ignited a spark of warmth within me.

        "I love you," I said softly, reflecting the sincerity of my words in my tone.

        A flicker of something flashed in his eyes, but it quickly transformed into calm. "Good. Because I love you more than anyone has ever loved anything. I'll never stop fighting for us. For you. And I promise to work on being less of a—let's say, bossy protector. Just... maybe after you're fully healed."

        We shared a laugh, the sound resonating like a balm over all the heaviness that had filled the room just moments before. It felt like the beginning of something new, a glimmer of light penetrating the darkness we'd been traversing. We were in this together, and as long as we faced it side by side, I knew we'd find our way through.

        After an hour or so, Vaughn finally left the room, allowing my barrage of friends charge in. First came the girls, Cecy hugging me tightly as Ava cried into my shoulder. Glyn and Annika wrestled them off me and pulled me into a hug.

        There were a lot of questions from them. It felt safe, warm.

       Once the girls left, the guys also came barging in. Bran spared no time and immediately began to fuss over me, hugging and cooing at me like a mum. Remi and Lan, despite their words of not being worried, had a visible sense of relief to them.

          Daddy then came in and -very incessantly- made me go back to sleep. As he stroked my hair like I was a little girl once again, I closed my eyes and let the dream world take me.

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Vaughn

     When Aiden finally left my Alicia's room, telling Elsa that she's finally asleep then instructing Eli and Creighton to take Elsa home, I had a feeling he was planning something.

      The way his eyes darkened and shoulders tensed, I didn't ask about Dominik yet but I know he's in Aidens possession.

       And I'm sure as hell not letting him get vengeance on his own.

      I stride over to him, grabbing his shoulder and turning it to me. "Whatever you're going to do to him, I want in."

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A/N:
Yayyy, everyone's okay!! I'm planning on maybe two or three more chapters before writing the epilogues!!
Thank you so much for all the support!!
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