15. Chapter 15

Chapter 15

-Alison-

I woke up late in the day, my stomach growling with hunger. Slowly sitting up, I realized I was alone.

"Jared?" I called out, but there was no answer. Sighing, I let myself sink back onto the bed. Without him there, I felt a profound sense of isolation, and the memories I tried to suppress came rushing back, shaking me to my core. Curling into myself, I hoped to dispel the thoughts and sensations, but they lingered, refusing to be banished.

Pushing myself upright, I winced as pain shot through my body. Groaning, I leaned against the headboard, the worst of the pain emanating from between my legs. I wondered if there was internal damage. I couldn't recall much from when I was rescued, but I vaguely remembered being seen by a medical professional.

Reaching for the panties on the bed, I needed something to occupy my mind. Even the slightest movement caused excruciating pain, but I managed to slide the material on. I was too exhausted to attempt putting on pants.

Slowly, I moved to the edge of the bed, putting pressure on my feet. Each movement elicited protests from my body, and I fell back onto my arms, trying to steady my breathing through the agony. I didn't remember the pain being this intense when I was trapped, but then again, I had been heavily sedated most of the time.

Sighing heavily, I leaned my head back, willing myself to overcome the agonizing sensation so I could search for food. But every attempt to stand sent searing pain shooting through me, and I could barely shift without experiencing unbearable discomfort.

"Fuck!" I exclaimed.

Defeated, I collapsed back onto the bed, resigning myself to my current state. However, just as I surrendered, I heard the lock turn, and I realized I had been trapped in the room. Lifting my head, I saw Jared enter, a tantalizing scent of food accompanying him. He carried a tray in his hands, and upon seeing that I was awake, he held it up as he closed the door behind him.

"In bed or over here?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"It... hurts to move," I admitted, feeling defeated.

Nodding in understanding, Jared approached me and set the tray on the nightstand. I tried to scoot back, but the pain immobilized me completely.

"I will get some painkillers," Jared informed me, disappearing into the bathroom before returning with pills. He held them out to me and then unscrewed the cap of the water bottle, handing it over. I managed to sit up and downed the entire contents, exhaling in relief afterward. Jared took the bottle from me and helped me sit up higher on the bed. I wasn't accustomed to being so dependent, but I had no choice but to accept his help. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Jared reached for something on the tray and held it out to me.

"What's that?" I asked, curious.

"The report on your examination," he replied.

"Have you read it?" I inquired.

"Yes," he confirmed.

"Then just tell me. Am I infected with all sorts of diseases now? Has my uterus been removed because of too much damage? Do I need an organ transplant?" I rattled off anxiously, listing the worst-case scenarios to cope with my anxiety.

"No," he answered simply.

"To what?" I pressed.

"To all of it," he assured me, but it was hard to believe I had escaped without any additional horrors.

I grabbed the file, tearing it open and scanning through the contents. It detailed my possible mental state—shock, unresponsiveness, and so on. While it recommended intense psychiatric help, the test results returned negative. However, as I continued reading, it explained my pain—severe internal trauma. It advised against any intercourse for at least three weeks, along with bed rest.

"That explains my inability to move," I murmured.

"Nothing is broken, but you are bruised both on the outside and inside," Jared explained.

"Yes, I gathered that," I muttered, tossing the file aside and crossing my arms. Part of me had hoped that somehow it would all turn out to be a horrible dream and none of it had happened, but the medical file didn't lie. While I should have felt relieved that no diseases had been transmitted, it didn't erase what had occurred or the memories that lingered.

Jared reached for the file, tearing it into pieces. Strangely, I found satisfaction in watching him dismantle it, and I observed as he reduced the paper to shreds before pocketing it and offering me a small smile. It felt as though a silent agreement had passed between us, and I returned the gesture.

"Hungry?" he asked.

I nodded. "Have you eaten?"

"Downstairs, but until you're ready to go with me, I'll bring the food to you," he replied.

"I see I have my own servant," I teased, noting the slight darkening of his eyes as I referred to him as such. Yet, I could see he appreciated the spark of defiance in me, and it felt empowering. However, I refused to let him hand me the food. I could manage that on my own. I sipped the soup, an easy-to-digest option.

"Jared?" I inquired as he watched me eat.

"Yes?" he responded.

"How long have I been gone?"

"A little under... a month," he answered.

"I see," I murmured before meeting his gaze. "Were you searching for me all this time?"

"Well, I wasn't allowed to intervene much before now because Astrid couldn't risk me alarming people or you being moved from your location," he explained. "But I wanted to search, and I made sure she kept her end of our deal."

I nodded, acknowledging his role in my discovery.

"Do you remember anything from the rescue?" he asked.

"Just noise and some people grabbing me," I replied.

"Maybe that's for the best," he commented.

"Yes, I don't really want to remember it all," I agreed, finishing the soup.

"You locked the door," I noted, seeking clarification, and Jared glanced at it before returning his focus to me.

"I did," he admitted.

"Am I your prisoner?" I asked, a hint of concern in my tone.

He shook his head. "No, it's not to keep you inside. It's to..." He didn't finish his sentence, but I understood his implication.

"So I'm not only confined to this bed, but also to this room," I murmured, processing the information.

"Just for now. We won't be staying here forever," he assured me.

"Where will we go?"

"I don't know yet. I haven't decided. But since you have so much time lying around here," he teased, reaching out to place his hand over my leg, which was covered by the blanket once again. "Then you can work on that."

"I get to decide?" I confirmed.

"Yes," he affirmed.

"I can pick any place?"

"Yes, any place, but I, of course, want to make sure it's private and secure," he explained.

"Yeah, privacy sounds good," I agreed.

The somber energy returned, and Jared squeezed my leg, drawing my attention to him. "Once all of this is over, Alison, you and I can truly relax. This is how it should have been."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"When I told you to come with me, I didn't mean into my world. I meant we both left everything behind. I think we deserve a little peace for once, don't you?" he inquired, and tears welled in my eyes at the thought of complete tranquility.

"I think so, yes."

"So pick a place. Anywhere in the world, and we will go there," he insisted.

"Are you certain?" I asked, wanting to be sure.

He nodded before reclining on the bed, his gaze fixed on me. A new, calmer energy enveloped us, something we had never experienced before. This time we didn't have to rush through our meetings. We could simply exist.

However, there was something on my mind. "How long do you think until we can leave?"

He sighed, looking a little guilty. He had forgotten to mention a time limit, and from the look on his face, it could easily become years.

"Great," I groaned, frustration evident as I leaned my head back and stared up at the ceiling.

"I hope it won't be that long. I'm sure Astrid is eager to ascend to power as well," he remarked, trying to offer reassurance.

"Are you two still married?" I blurted out, suddenly realizing I didn't know their current relationship status.

He avoided meeting my eyes, confirming my suspicions without a word.

"Jesus!" I exclaimed, shaking my head in disbelief.

"Divorcing her won't work right now. She needs me as the face for the family, but that will change."

"Will it?" I challenged him, searching for reassurance.

He looked at me, but I could sense his doubts.

"I will make sure she won't need me," he promised, but I couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty.

"You doubt me," he accused, his gaze penetrating as always.

"Can you blame me?" I challenged.

"Yes," he replied confidently.

"How? I was still captured," I retorted, frustration creeping into my tone.

"I know, and I told you I will carry that blame—"

"But I don't want you to! You didn't want me to be captured. You didn't order it. You even went against the one other person who has been important to you in order to get me back. But Jared, really, you're one person," I pointed out, trying to reason with him.

"So?" he shrugged, displaying a surprising confidence.

I blinked rapidly, struggling to comprehend how he couldn't see that one soldier against an entire army was bound to fail.

"How can you even say that?" I asked, my disbelief evident. "You must realize the odds are against you."

"Then I guess I will have to be smarter than the rest," he replied, his tone unwavering.

I sighed, rolling my eyes in frustration, but Jared's firm grip on my leg brought my attention back to him.

"Don't roll your eyes at me as if you don't believe me. I can handle them all," he declared with conviction.

"You really think so?"

He nodded resolutely. "I will win. Just like I did over you."

I stared at him in disbelief that he could bring up that victory at such a moment. His smug smile only fueled my frustration.

"I will believe it when I see it," I snapped, refusing to be swayed by his confidence.

"And you will," he stated.