Found Obsession

Chapter 52: The Greco's Case III

Rose jolted awake, the sharp pain making her sit up abruptly.

She found Lucas pressing on her wound. The shock of pain made her suck in a breath, trying to calm herself as it surged through her. “You asked me to wake you up, didn’t you?” Lucas said dryly, watching her as she struggled to manage the pain.

Breathing hard, Rose glared at him, her hand instinctively pressing against the soaked fabric of her shirt. It was wet with blood.

Lucas glanced down at his hand, noticing the fresh blood coating his fingers. “I thought it would’ve closed by now,” he muttered under his breath.

“Well, maybe you should start thinking,” Rose snapped, her voice filled with irritation.

He shot her a cold glare in return. “Feeling better?” he hissed back, his tone mocking, but beneath it, something else lingered.

Rose leaned back in the car seat, clutching her wound, her body exhausted yet fighting the sleep that kept creeping in. Every time drowsiness threatened to take over, she pressed harder on the wound, forcing herself to stay alert, her teeth gritted in pain.

"Really?" Lucas mocked, noticing her struggle. "You just—"

"Shut up," Rose snapped, cutting him off.

Despite the pain, she reached for her jacket, wincing as she managed to slip it on. Her clean hand then moved towards her purse and the folder, the one she’d endured hell to get. There was no way she’d leave it behind.

“Move,” she demanded, swinging herself towards the car door. But Lucas remained unmoved, standing in her way. They now faced each other, tension thick between them.

“Do you really want to save Mr. Jones?” Lucas asked, his voice steady but probing.

Rose tilted her head slightly, calculating. She needed to be careful, but also convincing. A part of the truth might do the trick.

“No,” she replied honestly, her voice low but firm. “But I’m into settling scores with someone who tried to drown me.”

Lucas’ expression faltered, his face paling at her words. He hadn’t expected that.

Lucas seemed convinced by her response. "Come on, I’ll help you out," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle.

Rose wanted to throw in a sarcastic remark, but the searing pain in her body reminded her that now wasn’t the time. She let him place a firm hand around her waist, his arm supporting her as she draped her bloodied hand over his shoulder. His hand covered hers, offering stability as he closed the car door with his leg.

Each step up the stairs was agony. Rose leaned heavily on Lucas, her breath labored with each movement. Then, she stiffened, a sense of being watched crawling over her skin. She glanced up and spotted a figure in the shadows, leaning against the wall, observing them. Her heart pounded.

"I think I should just carry you," Lucas said, pulling her attention back to him.

Rose felt a surge of nervousness, as if she had been caught in the act. Just as she was about to respond, Lucas accidentally grabbed her wound. A sharp groan of pain escaped her.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean it this time," he muttered.

Stars danced before her eyes as she held her breath, trying to push through the pain, her grip tightening on Lucas’ hand. "This time?" she hissed. "So all the other times you did?"

The pain jolted her fully awake, though her body screamed for relief.

Lucas stayed silent, his hand pressing down on her jacket, now smeared with blood. His jaw clenched as he glanced at the fresh crimson on his palm.