The Fake Vows (Book 1)

Chapter 8

Everyone stood by and watched sympathetically as Dexter carefully took Elisabeth in his arms. He started for the stairs against his family's and the paramedics' opposition.

Elisabeth's cries could be heard all over the house. She was in extreme pain and all she wanted was to be relieved of it somehow. Dexter placed small kisses all over her face as he walked up the stairs. He whispered his heartfelt apologies and begged Elisabeth to not hate him. Even in her worst moments, hating Dexter was far from her.

As soon as they reached their room, he placed his wife on the bed. He made way for the medical experts to take over. He made sure to stay close and watch them like a hawk.

With each and every action that they took, he watched and would tell of any of them off if he thought they were not being gentle enough with Elisabeth. A few minutes later, the doctors couldn't take it anymore. One of them went and asked Mark and Gareth to take Dexter out of the room so that they could do their job.

It was a struggle but eventually Dexter was taken out of the room. He wouldn't let Elisabeth go to the hospital in fear of her safety. If she was in a public place she'd be vulnerable to Duke's men. He wouldn't risk it. Her life was his responsibility. It was hard enough to swallow the bitter taste of guilt he felt over hurting her physically. He'd make sure all she needed for medical attention was delivered to them at Tasha's house. Dr Evans and Dr Connor were his family's private doctors and were always firstly available for the Venoms.

'What is going on with you two?' Karen asked as soon as Dexter was out of his room. Everyone else stood staring between him and Mark waiting for an answer.

'It's none of your business mum. Mark and I are old enough to handle our own disputes.' Dexter answered.

'It doesn't seem like it right now. If that stupid girl is going to ruin your relationship with your brother like this, divorce her.' Karen said without hesitance. Tasha and Hillary gasped whilst Gareth warned his wife to stop talking nonsense.

'Don't you ever call my wife stupid again. It's me she's married to, so you don't have to bother yourself about her stupidity.' Dexter told his mother clenching his jaw.

'Dex listen to yourself. You've never spoken to me like that but now all because of Elisabeth.  Now she's playing both of you. Fools. You let a nobody tramp around right u...' Whatever Karen wanted to say got stuck down her throat as Dexter let out a furious roar. His mother looked with terror and she shut her mouth.

Dexter walked to his father with a controlled gait and looked him in the eyes.

'Get her out of here before I do some damage and I won't regret it this time around.'

Karen was stunned to silence by her son's behaviour. She held tightly onto her husband's arm and followed him to a room out of Dexter's sight.

Dexter turned to face away from his parents and came face to face with Mark. The awkwardness one would expect after such an incident between the two brothers was naught.

Instead, both Dexter and Mark felt relieved. They'd let their suppressed anger and emotions out. It'd been a guilty pleasure for both of them to express themselves. Mark was angry at himself for falling for his sister in law nevermind the real truth behind it.  He was also angry because whilst he wished to have her but didn't and wouldn't, Dexter did have her and was not using the opportunity well. He'd always known his brother was a player and it never bothered hm much, but now he just wanted Dexter to open his eyes and see what was right in front of him.

Dexter was driven by jealousy. It consumed him to the core when Mark played the hero for Elisabeth. Only for a minute he wanted to get the point that Elisabeth was his through to Mark. The only thing they both gravely regretted about their actions was the fact that they'd hurt her.