Under His Protection

Chapter 75: The Breaking Point

The villa was quiet, save for the soft hum of the wind brushing through the olive trees outside. Travis sat at the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. His body was exhausted, his mind frayed, but he didn't have the luxury of breaking down-not when Taylor needed him.

Behind him, Taylor clung to his pillow, her fingers gripping the fabric as if it was the only thing tethering her to reality. She'd barely eaten since the kids left, and she was even more withdrawn, speaking only in murmurs when she addressed Travis and refusing to acknowledge anyone else.

"Sunshine," Travis said softly, turning to face her. She flinched at the sound of his voice but didn't let go of the pillow.

"I'm fine," she whispered, though her trembling hands and tear-streaked face told a different story.

Travis sighed, moving to sit beside her. He reached out, brushing her hair away from her face. "You're not fine, Tay. And that's okay. I just need you to tell me what you need."

Her lip quivered, and for a moment, she looked like she might break down again. "I need you," she finally said, her voice cracking.

"I'm here," Travis assured her, his chest tightening. "I'm not going anywhere."

Later that day, Travis paced the kitchen while Ross sat at the table, nursing a cup of coffee.

"You can't keep doing this alone," Ross said, his tone firm but not unkind.

"I don't have a choice," Travis snapped, slamming a hand against the counter. "She needs me, Ross. Who else is going to take care of her?"

"You're going to burn out," Ross replied. "And then what? Who's going to take care of both of you?"

Travis didn't answer. Instead, he rubbed his hands over his face and leaned against the counter. The weight of everything was crushing him, but he refused to let it show-not when Taylor was so fragile, not when she needed him to be strong.

That night, as Travis helped Taylor get ready for bed, she clung to him like a lifeline.

"Don't leave," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I'm not leaving," Travis replied, tucking the blanket around her.

"Promise?"

"I promise, Sunshine," he said, his heart breaking as he saw the desperation in her eyes.

But even as he held her that night, his mind was racing. He knew Ross was right-he couldn't keep going like this. The stress, the lack of sleep, the constant fear of doing the wrong thing-it was all eating away at him.

The next morning, Travis woke to find Taylor already awake, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"You okay?" he asked, brushing a hand over her arm.

She nodded, but her silence spoke volumes.

As the day went on, Taylor barely moved from the bed, only shifting when Travis brought her food or water. She wouldn't touch the meals unless he coaxed her, and even then, she ate sparingly.

Ross stopped by briefly, offering to sit with Taylor so Travis could get some air, but Taylor refused to let anyone near her.

"She'll come around," Ross said after Travis walked him out. "But you need to take care of yourself, too, man."

"I'll be fine," Travis lied, closing the door behind him.

By the time the sun set, Travis felt like a hollow shell of himself. He sat outside on the balcony, staring out at the horizon. The twins were safe, Bronze and Sterling were with Brittany and Patrick, and the villa was eerily quiet without the sound of children's laughter.

He didn't notice Taylor until she stepped onto the balcony, wrapping one of his sweatshirts tightly around her.

"You okay?" she asked, her voice soft but tired.

Travis forced a smile. "I'm fine, Sunshine. Just thinking."

She nodded but didn't move to sit beside him. Instead, she lingered near the door, her gaze fixed on the distant lights of the town below.

"I'm sorry," she said suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"For what?"

"For being... this," she said, gesturing vaguely to herself. "I know I'm not easy right now."

Travis stood and crossed the balcony to her, wrapping his arms around her. "You don't have to apologize for anything, Tay. We're in this together."

But as he held her, he couldn't shake the sinking feeling in his chest. He knew he couldn't keep this up forever, and the cracks in his façade were starting to show.

The villa seemed peaceful that night, but the tension hung heavy in the air. Travis stayed awake long after Taylor fell asleep, staring at the ceiling and wondering how much longer he could hold everything together.

And as the first rays of dawn broke through the curtains, Travis made a silent vow to protect Taylor at all costs-even if it meant sacrificing his own sanity in the process.