She Belongs to Me (Rewritten Version)

Chapter Nineteen

Vincent:

When I opened the closet door, I expected Emily to lunge out at me like she had done before, but what happened was much worse. I found her lying on the floor in the fetal position, her head buried so deep into her knees that I couldn't see her face. On the floor next to her was the engagement ring I had given her.  I couldn't believe she had taken it off.

"Emily," I set Captain Harold down on the floor and stepped towards her, "You need to get up.  The police are gone, and you haven't eaten yet."

She didn't move.

"Come on, love. Don't be like this."

She still didn't move. 

"Emily, are you okay?"  I kneeled down next to her and gently shook her shoulder.  When she still didn't move, I yanked her body to the side so I could get a better look at her.  Her eyes were closed tightly, and locks of her hair stuck to her pale and sweat drenched face. "Oh, God!" I scooped her into my arms and ran to the bathroom, lying her down on the floor and drawing her a cold bath. 

She must've passed out from heat exhaustion.

I didn't even bother to take her dress off. I placed her in the tub and allowed the cool water to run over her body. "Come on, baby." I said, gently patting her cheek. "Come back to me now."

She awakened a few seconds later with a dry cough, her eyes slowly fluttering open before they landed on me. "What happened? Why do I feel like I've been ran over by a truck?"

"You passed out."

She blinked her eyes, then looked up at me with a smile. "Wow, thanks for helping me. You sure are a nice guy."

I would've leapt for joy at her attitude, but I knew she was delirious. It was pretty common to initially be confused after waking up. Still, I decided to use this temporary lapse of sanity to my advantage.

"Anything for you, my love."  I leaned in and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips, which she returned until her senses came back to her. 

Then, she bit my lip and punched me in the face as hard as she could.  I pulled back and wiped away the small amount of blood that was drawn.  "That hurt, Emily!  You can't do stuff like that!"

"Are you kidding me!?"  She tried to scramble to her feet, but she was still too lightheaded. 

I caught her arm before she fell on her face.  "You need to settle down and rest for a while."

"How could you leave me in the closet for that long?"

"I'm sorry," I said, letting her go once I was certain she would stay still.  "I had no other choice."

"How many times are you going to use that full of shit excuse with me?" She forced herself to sit up straighter. "You had plenty of choices, but you had to resort to assault and kidnapping, you sick prick."

"Emily..."

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.  "No, I refuse to lose my temper right now."

"Good girl."

"It's not for your benefit, asshole!"  She growled, splashing a wave of bath water on me.  "My mind can't handle another meltdown right now."

I placed my hands on her arms. "I truly am sorry that it has come to this. Please, let me make it up to you somehow," She opened her mouth, and I held a finger up, "Just don't ask me to let you go."

"Fine," She sighed wearily, "If you really want to make it up to me right now, cook me breakfast."

My entire body twitched with excitement. This was a small step in the right direction. I helped her out of the tub and lead her into the kitchen, sitting her down on a chair before I began cooking some bacon and eggs. She mostly sat in silence while I told her a few stories about my grandmother, only speaking if I asked her about her folks.