Three Hearts Left Intact

Chapter 95: Unbreakable

As he began to stir awake an annoying beeping noise played on repeat, providing him with a large headache. Mallix groaned opening his eyes. As he did so he found himself staring up at a white ceiling. He could feel his clothes and uniform were now replaced with what felt like a gown. For a moment he felt panicked.

Looking around at his surroundings he noticed he was laying in a hospital bed. The beeping he was hearing came from a monitor only a few feet away from his bed. On one side of him sat a huge vase of fresh flowers and a little stuffed bear besides it. Looking over at the opposite side, he saw Lain sleeping with her head against the wall in the corner. Her ragged clothes were replaced with a neatly made summer outfit. The makeup on her face was able to hide the fading bruises underneath.

"Lain" his voice came out like a whisper. He could feel just how dry his throat was. As his raspy voice called out he watched her eyes flutter open. The second she saw that he was awake she jumped from her seat and got to his side.

Running her nails through his shaggy hair a tear ran down her cheek, "hey babe." The smile she had sent him blinded him to anything else. When he went to speak again Lain could hear how parched he was too. Grabbing her bottle of water near her chair she helped him take a sip.

Clearing his throat he felt words clearly running out of his mouth now, "what happened?"

"After you got out with Kaila you passed out. Alex took us back to a small cabin in the woods," she paused as another smile appeared, "I got to see Nina and Zander again," she sidetracked before getting back to topic, "while we were there we took off that bloody uniform you were wearing and cleaned you as best we could before bringing you here."

"How long was I out for?"

She grabbed his hand shaking her head, "not too long. Don't worry. It's only been a few days since we escaped."

"Where's Kaila? Is she okay?"

"Yeah babe, she's perfect. She's back at the cabin with everyone else."

He closed his eyes finally being able to fully rest. Not only did he know Lain was safe, but Kaila too. This was his one and only goal. His family was finally free to live in peace again. He felt himself becoming emotional as Lain slithered into the hospital bed with him. Laying her head on his shoulder and a hand on his chest, he relished this time with her.

His body was stiff but with a quick stretch he reached over his wife's shoulder. "I'm sorry about everything." He turned kissing her cleaned hair.

"Stop with your apologies already. We're safe now. I'm here besides you." She propped herself up looking at her husbands deep blue eyes falling in love all over again. Closing the gap between them their lips locked. Giving his wife a kiss she deserved they stayed stuck until she backed away. Rubbing her hand along his jaw line her eyes were becoming glossy. "Thank you for saving us." She whispered sweetly to him.

He wrapped both arms around her bringing her into a warm hug. They stayed silent just inhaling one another's comforting scent. Each of their touch bringing peace to the other.

"Kaila told us what happened..." Lain broke the silence carefully waiting for Mallix's reaction. When he was silent she went on. "...she told us about Lauren and what she did for her...and for you."

Bringing him back to the moment Mallix found himself back in that dark red hallway helplessly stood rewatching the scene. The way he felt immobilized was terrifying. The gun was aimed straight for him, the only thought running through his mind was of his unavoidable demise. That was until he could see Lauren's body appear in front of his own. Watching the way her body took the impact before gravity sent her crashing into the floor. That gunshot—that bullet that should've killed him on the spot—still echoed through his head.

Fazing out of his memory he found Lain looking straight up at him with sorry eyes. She laid her head against his chest regretful to have brought up the incident so soon. "How is she handling it all?" He needed to know.

"The first few days Kaila was quiet. She didn't come out of her room and was stuck to me almost always. But Zander has been helping with her. Slowly she got back to her more playful personality, but Nina has been sending me updates while I've been here and I can see she's still struggling a little. It took a lot of convincing for her to let me come stay with you. But it was her idea to bring you that bear," she chuckled pointing towards the stuffed brown bear on his bedside table. Mallix figured Kaila would need some recovery time after everything they witnessed, he was both happy and surprised to hear she was already starting to bounce back.

Silently laying with one another they didn't bother moving. When she shifted on his torso, Mallix could now feel the wet spot she had left on him. Her tears had soaked through his gown hitting his skin. Pulling her in closer he couldn't hide his own curiosity any longer. He needed to know something that nobody could answer besides Lain. "What did they do to you in that place?"

She squeezed her grip on him letting her own memories take over her healing mind. "They...they said I was a threat to their company. They put me in a small room and told me to spill any information I had about anyone who would be willing to come after Kaila or I. When I didn't tell them anything..." she sniffled gripping onto her husband tighter, "...they...they would take turns... these men...the ones who wear the uniform you had on...I couldn't ever see their face...but they would...they would..." She struggled as her tears came back.

Mallix didn't want his wife to be going through the emotional turmoil she was encountering but he desperately wanted to know what those sick monsters did to her. Just repositioning them so she would be more comfortable he held her close letting her know she was safe.

After a few hiccups and sniffles she pressed forwards wanting the story time to be over with. "...they would b-beat m-me...day after day they tried asking me about anyone willing to save Kaila or me...they tried to break me...but I never did..." her story ended as Mallix already could picture the rest of the events in his mind. And he hated every little piece of it.

To his surprise she continued, "they told me since I wasn't going to cooperate they didn't need me anymore. Said I was going to be discharged by the end of the week." She dug her face deep into him ignoring the makeup stain she would leave behind. "If you hadn't come when you did...I'd be dead." Her voice cracked often as her sobs had worsened.

Mallix was so caught up in her story he hadn't realized the heavy tears flowing down his own face. Trying to brave a strong face he just couldn't. He couldn't—and didn't—want to even image a world where Lain wasn't at his side. He didn't want to image the mother of their little girl not being around anymore. She was such a crucial part to their small family, he had never held her so close before just silently letting them both cry out their held back emotions.

"I love you." He pressed the top of her forehead with a kiss leaving his lips to linger there for a minute longer.

"I love you too." Her shaky voice was calming back down slightly. Letting those sentimental statements mark their time in the past, they continued silently releasing tears.
———————————————————————————
Let me know what you think of Lain's past. Thanks Lexx signing off