A Promise Kept
Nicholas's POV:
Nicholas stood at the counter, staring into his coffee mug as if it held the answers to all the questions racing through his mind. The past few days had been a whirlwind, and he couldn't stop replaying your broken voice in his head, the way you clung to him like you were drowning and he was your lifeline.
He gritted his teeth, the muscles in his jaw tightening as the familiar wave of anger surged through him. It wasn't directed at you, of course. No, every ounce of it was reserved for the man who had made you feel so small, so helpless.
What kind of monster does that to someone they claim to love?
Nicholas set his mug down a little harder than he intended, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He wasn't the type to lose his temper easily, but thinking about your husband—the man who was supposed to protect you, cherish you—made his blood boil.
Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself that his anger wasn't what you needed right now. You needed him to be steady, to be your anchor. And he'd be damned if he let you down.
Later that morning, he found you curled up on the couch, staring blankly at the television. The dark circles under your eyes were a stark reminder of everything you'd been through. He hated seeing you like this—defeated, weighed down by fear and doubt.
"Hey," he said softly, sitting down beside you. "How you holding up?"
You shrugged, not meeting his gaze. "I don't know. I feel... stuck."
Nicholas nodded, giving you the space to find your words. He'd learned quickly that you needed time to open up, and he wasn't going to rush you.
"I know I need to do something," you continued, your voice barely above a whisper. "I can't just... pretend this didn't happen. But I don't know where to start."
Nicholas reached out, placing a gentle hand on your knee. "You don't have to figure it all out at once," he said. "We'll take it one step at a time. And I'll be with you every step of the way."
You looked at him then, your eyes glassy with unshed tears. "I don't even know what to do about him," you admitted, your voice trembling.
Nicholas's jaw tightened. He wanted to tell you that the man didn't deserve to breathe the same air as you, let alone be in your life. But he knew you didn't need that right now. You needed solutions.
"I've been thinking about that," he said carefully. "I think the first step is finding a lawyer. Someone who can help you get out of this legally and make sure you're safe."
Your eyes widened, a flicker of hope breaking through the despair. "Do you really think that's possible?"
"Absolutely," Nicholas said, his voice firm. "But we need someone who knows what they're doing. I'll help you find the best person for the job."
Nicholas spent the next few hours scouring his laptop, researching lawyers who specialized in domestic abuse cases. He didn't just want someone good—he wanted the best. Someone who wouldn't just fight for you but make sure you never had to look over your shoulder again.
Every so often, he glanced over at you, curled up on the couch with a blanket wrapped around you. You were scrolling through your phone, but he could tell you weren't really looking at it. You were lost in your thoughts.
He hated seeing you like this. It wasn't just the sadness that tore at him—it was the way you seemed so unsure of yourself, like you didn't believe you deserved better.
When he finally found a lawyer he felt confident in, he called them immediately. After explaining the situation (leaving out anything you weren't comfortable sharing), he set up an initial consultation for the next day.
Closing his laptop, Nicholas turned to you. "Hey," he said, drawing your attention. "I found someone. A lawyer who specializes in cases like this. They're supposed to be really good."
Your eyes widened, a mix of relief and apprehension crossing your face. "You... you already called them?"
"Of course," he said, his tone gentle. "You don't have to do this alone. I've got your back."
The tears came quickly then, and Nicholas was at your side in an instant, pulling you into his arms.
"You're doing so much for me," you whispered against his chest. "I don't even know how to thank you."
"You don't have to thank me," he said, his voice steady. "I just want you to be safe and happy. That's all that matters."
The next day, Nicholas drove you to the lawyer's office. He could feel your anxiety as you fidgeted in the passenger seat, your hands twisting in your lap.
"Hey," he said, glancing at you as he stopped at a red light. "It's okay to be nervous. But you're doing the right thing. And you're not alone."
You nodded, but he could see the tension in your shoulders.
When you walked into the lawyer's office, Nicholas stayed by your side, offering quiet support as you explained your situation. The lawyer—an older woman with a kind but no-nonsense demeanor—listened intently, asking questions and taking notes.
By the time the meeting ended, you had a clear plan in place. The lawyer would help you file for divorce and a restraining order, ensuring that your husband couldn't come near you.
As you left the office, Nicholas could see the faintest glimmer of hope in your eyes.
"How do you feel?" he asked as you climbed into the car.
"Overwhelmed," you admitted. "But... hopeful. I feel like maybe I can do this."
Nicholas smiled, relief washing over him. "You can. And you will. I'm so proud of you."
That night, as you sat on the couch with a mug of hot tea, Nicholas couldn't help but marvel at your strength. You didn't see it yet, but he did. You'd been through so much, but you were still standing, still fighting.
"You're amazing, you know that?" he said, breaking the comfortable silence.
You looked up at him, startled. "What? No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are," he insisted. "You've been through hell, and you're still here. That takes strength."
You shook your head, tears welling up in your eyes. "I don't feel strong."
"That's because he made you doubt yourself," Nicholas said, his voice firm. "But you are strong. And you're not alone anymore. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
You set your mug down and leaned into him, your head resting on his shoulder. Nicholas wrapped an arm around you, holding you close.
As he sat there, his heart ached for you, but it also swelled with pride. You were taking the first steps toward freedom, and he would be by your side every step of the way.
Late that night, as Nicholas lay in bed, he stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. He couldn't stop thinking about your husband, the man who had hurt you so deeply.
Nicholas wasn't a violent person, but the thought of what that man had done to you made his blood boil. No human should ever treat the person they're supposed to love like that.
If I ever see him... Nicholas stopped the thought before it could fully form. His priority wasn't revenge—it was you. And you needed him to be calm, to be steady.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He'd do whatever it took to help you rebuild your life, no matter how long it took.
Because he meant what he'd said:
Nothing's gonna hurt you, baby. Not anymore.
