Chapter 115
“God Ellie,” Aiden breathed, his arms squeezing me a little. “When I saw you lying there I thought you were dead. I thought we were too late. I don’t know what I would have done if I lost you.
“But you didn’t lose me. You found me. You and Liam found me.” I whispered, closing my eyes against the tears that filled my eyes again.
This time I didn’t hold them back. I let the tears roll shamelessly as the weight of the last few days dawned on me. I was exhausted. I hurt. I was so scared but I was also so relieved that the nightmare was over and that Noah couldn’t hurt me anymore. I cried until I fell asleep, Aiden whispering words of affection and reassurances to me the whole time. This time the sleep wasn’t dark and empty but
plagued with snippets of the last few days as they played like a damaged film reel. This would be the first of many sleeps haunted by the harrowing experiences I had endured over the last few days.
The doctor came to check on me the following morning. I had suffered broken ribs, a fractured wrist,
several broken fingers and a sprained ankle. The bruising on my hip from where Noah kicked me had
caused some swelling which was pressing on the nerves, causing the weakness in my leg. I was
relieved to learn the lashes wouldn’t scar. Most of them had been superficial although some had
been much deeper. The bite marks were treated to prevent an infection but the doctor felt they
would heal quickly. My fever had been caused by inflammation from all the wounds.
Then came the police with their questions which had lasted longer than seemed necessary. By the
end I was exhausted and I wanted to go home and just sleep. I had barely any time with Liam or
Aiden what with the doctors, nurses and police coming in and out. If I had been under eighteen
there would probably have been social services as well. Eventually though the whole circus act came
to an end and I was discharged with instructions to take it easy.
I was going to do my best with that but I found myself on edge at times, worried Noah would step
out from behind a door at any moment. I couldn’t sleep, even Aiden’s around me and Liam just a few
feet down the hall. I started feeling myself withdrawing from everyone and becoming irritable.
My therapist said it was normal. I had been through a profoundly traumatic experience and in some way, I was now able to process what had happened to me as well as grieve for the life I had before this happened. I hadn’t really understood to start with but after a few sessions, I realised that when I
had been locked up in those rooms while Noah tortured me, I hadn’t actually been able to process
the situation fully. My survival mode had kicked in and that was all that mattered; survival. Now that the threat was gone, it was like I was purging all the toxic emotions and feelings from my soul.
When it came to the night of Liam’s welcome home party, I was nearly healed up. Most of the bruises were gone and I could put weight on my leg. I was just grateful for a distraction and to get out of the house for a bit and do something fun.
Tammy had once again insisted on doing my hair and make up and helped me pick an outfit suitable for a party but also was a bit fun. The deep red dress sat over my figure comfortably, the skirt
1/3
Chapter 115
stopping just above my knee. The long sleeves covered the last of the bruises and cuts littering my arms but also kept me a bit warm. Seeing myself in the mirror, my hair in loose waves over my shoulders and my eyes surrounded by smokey makeup, I felt a little bit like myself again but a new version. I was a survivor. I had won out against the demons that had wanted to break me down.
“Wow, Ellie…”
I turned and smiled shyly at Aiden who was standing in the bedroom doorway, a deep blue shirt stretched over his muscled form. His hair was glimmering like gold in the soft lighting and falling across his forehead slightly. He looked stunning and I felt myself become breathless just looking at
him.
“You ready to go?” I asked as I grabbed my coat and bag.
“I am.” He nodded and pushed away from the doorframe. “Just one thing though.”
I tilted my head curiously at him as Aiden walked over, leaning down to kiss me.
“Aiden, you’ll get my lipstick on you.” I protested weakly.
“Hm, I don’t care.” He murmured, his giant hands finding my hips and pulling me closer.
I won’t lie, I hardly resisted. I might have been a mess both mentally and emotionally but I still craved Aiden’s touch, his presence even and I melted into the kiss, enjoying a few moments together before we had to go.
“I love you.” Aiden murmured when we parted, his lips slightly swollen from the kiss.
“You what?” My eyes widened in surprise. I must have misheard him.
“I love you, Ellie.” Aiden repeated, his blue eyes closing a circuit with mine. “I think I knew from the moment we met when I first moved in. I can’t not love you and I don’t need you to say it back, I just want you to know—”
“I love you too.” I blurted out, cutting Aiden off. It felt so right to say it, so good in fact. It was like I was finally letting go of the last piece of my insecurities. “I love you Aiden.”
He pulled me into another kiss, hands cupping my face.
“I love you Ellie.”
2/3
