Under His Protection

Chapter 66: A Fragile State

The villa was quiet, but the tension in the air was thick. The mission had been completed, Santino's organization dismantled, but the cost was evident in the way Taylor clung to Travis, her body almost fused to his, as though she feared he'd vanish the moment she let go. She had been like this for days, her attachment to him growing so intense that he could barely leave her side for even a few minutes.

Bronze and Sterling played on the floor, their innocent laughter a stark contrast to the atmosphere in the room. Sterling giggled as Bronze carefully stacked his blocks, but both of them often glanced over at Taylor, their faces filled with confusion. They loved her-she was their second mother-but even they could feel the shift.

"Come on, Mama, look!" Bronze said, holding up his block creation. His wide, innocent eyes sought her approval, but Taylor didn't even flinch. Her focus remained on Travis, her fingers tightening around his shirt. She barely looked up at him, her eyes unfocused, her gaze distant, and Travis could see the fear there-an underlying terror that wouldn't seem to leave her.

When the door opened, everyone filed in, their eyes immediately drawn to the two figures on the couch. Travis had his arms around Taylor, holding her as though she might slip through his fingers at any moment. He hadn't let her go in days, and it was becoming harder to pretend like everything was fine.

Patrick, Brittany, Ross, and Isiah all stood in the doorway for a moment, their expressions heavy with concern. It was Brittany who stepped forward first, her maternal instincts kicking in as she gently approached Taylor.

"Taylor?" Brittany said softly, kneeling beside her.

But Taylor recoiled, shaking her head, her grip tightening on Travis. "Don't," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Travis's heart ached, but he held Taylor tighter, his arms wrapped around her protectively. "It's okay, Sunshine. It's just Brittany."

But Taylor wasn't having it. She buried her face against Travis's chest, her body tense and rigid, and her fingers twisted into his shirt, pulling him closer. "No. No one can touch me. Not even the doctors. I don't want anyone else near me."

Brittany, Ross, and Patrick exchanged worried glances.

"You've been through a lot, sweetie," Brittany said gently, not wanting to push too hard. "We're all here for you. We just want to help."

Taylor lifted her head slightly but didn't look at Brittany. Instead, she kept her eyes locked on Travis, her gaze pleading.

"I'm sorry," Taylor whispered, the strain in her voice unmistakable. "I just need him. Only him."

Travis stroked her hair gently, his expression full of worry. "It's okay, Sunshine. We'll figure this out, together."

Later that evening, after the team had settled in, the doctor arrived again, but this time, Taylor was having none of it. As soon as he stepped into the room, she stiffened, pulling even tighter against Travis.

"No doctors," she muttered, her voice barely audible. "I don't need them. I don't need anyone except him."

Travis tried to soothe her, but she was relentless. Her body pressed against his as if she were trying to disappear into him. Her fingers dug into his skin, and her eyes were wide with fear.

"I'm not letting anyone else touch me," she repeated, her voice a whisper, but there was a sense of finality in her tone. "I can't. Not after everything. Just you. Please."

The doctor, a quiet, observant man, stepped back, his concern deepening as he exchanged a look with Travis. The tension was palpable in the room. The situation wasn't just emotionally taxing-it was becoming dangerous.

"I understand," the doctor said after a long moment. "But I still believe Taylor needs professional help. I'll leave the medication I've prescribed with you, and if you change your mind about seeing someone, please let me know. I can recommend specialists who will work with her at her pace."

Travis nodded, but his mind was racing. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. This wasn't just about supporting Taylor anymore-it was about keeping her from falling apart completely.

As the evening wore on, the villa grew quieter. The kids had gone to bed, and the house settled into a heavy stillness. But Taylor still couldn't let go of Travis.

When he attempted to get up to grab a drink, she immediately sat up, her eyes searching for him. Her breath quickened as if the very idea of being away from him for even a few minutes was too much to bear.

"I'm coming with you," Taylor said, her voice shaky as she stood up and reached for his hand. "I can't stay here without you. I need to be with you. Please don't leave me."

Travis's heart shattered at the sound of her voice, so full of desperation. "I'm not leaving you, Sunshine. You're safe with me. Always."

He helped her to her feet, gently guiding her as she clung to him. She was like a lifeline to him, but he knew that something deeper was happening-something that couldn't be fixed by just being close to him.

Later, after the house had quieted down, the team gathered in the kitchen, their faces filled with concern. The mission had been a success, but this? This was something they didn't know how to handle.

"I've never seen her like this," Patrick said, his voice low. "It's like she's completely dependent on Travis now. She won't let go of him, even for a second."

"I know," Ross said, his tone grim. "But we need to respect her wishes. She's been through hell, and right now, the only thing she can hold on to is Travis. But that doesn't mean we can just ignore what's going on."

"Is she even eating or sleeping?" Brittany asked. "I haven't seen her eat anything since yesterday, and she looks so pale."

"No," Travis said, his voice tight with worry. "She won't eat unless I'm there. She won't sleep unless I'm holding her. And I can't leave her alone long enough to even take a shower."

"She needs help," Isiah said, his voice firm. "But we can't force it on her. She has to be ready to accept it."

Patrick shook his head. "I think it's going to be a long road, my friend."

As Travis sat next to Taylor that night, his hand resting gently on her back, he could feel her trembling in his arms. She had fallen asleep, but it was restless, fitful. Her breathing was shallow, and her grip never loosened.

"I don't know how to fix this," Travis whispered into the quiet room, his voice cracking with frustration. "I don't know what she needs, but I'll do anything to help her."

Taylor's soft breathing interrupted his thoughts, her body relaxed, but her fingers still curled tightly into his shirt. She was still clinging to him, still unable to let go.

And Travis, helpless and heartbroken, knew that this was just the beginning.