Her Innocence || Phantom of the Opera

Chapter Fourteen

Phantom POV:

"Get Raoul," she cried. Thankfully I already had a grip on her shoulders, so when she fell unconscious, I easily held her upright. It pained me to look into her face, torn at her request.

She didn't want me. She wanted Raoul.

I squeezed my eyes shut, determining what I should do. If I went to get her husband, I would be risking my disguise. Then again, if I didn't, I could be risking Christine's and her child's lives. I placed her in my arms in a gentle movement and threw my cloak around her, covering her in a blanket, and raced out of the Opera Populaire. As much as I wished to refuse it, Christine needed the Viscount.

I ran to the carriage, carefully placing Christine down in the seat, and instantly smacked the reins of the horses, causing them to quickly thunder back towards Madame Giry's home. I spun around corners and nearly tipped the cart a few times as I passed the slower moving vehicles. I looked over my shoulder to see Christine still secure in her seat and passed out. I cursed at the beasts pulling my weight-- we needed to be faster! The thought of loosing Christine had my head twirling in anger and confusion.

As I neared the apartment complex, realisation slapped me. How would I disguise myself and tell Raoul at the same time? I blinked and hopped out of the cart as soon as the horses skid to a stop. With limited time, I couldn't hide any longer.

Raoul POV:

Madame Giry came rushing into the library, red in the face. I instantly stood from my place on the sofa, abandoning the small novel I was reading. "Madame, what is the matter?" I asked, clear anxiety in my voice.

"Sir, it's your wife, Christine!" She said, panting. My eyes widened in fear. Regret for letting her go to town alone encircled me.

"What happened? Where is she!?" I threw questions in her direction as I jogged from the room and towards the front door. I was about to open it when I felt a firm hand on my arm.

I turned to see Meg holding me back, and tried to move her grip away. Madame Giry came up beside her. "Monsieur," Madame began, "there is something you should know-" I shrugged off Meg and left before Madame Giry could finish.

I swung the door open and let my eyes adjust to the bright sunlight. Directly in front of the building was the same carriage my wife and I had driven in to get here. I saw a figure in it, and thinking it was Christine, I ran up to it, but completely froze in my tracks as a half of a white mask came to view.