Chapter 5 - Whispers in the Dark
I rushed back into the room, dropping to my knees by her bedside. "Lily. Thank God. How do you feel?"
She looked at me, her eyes clearing of the anesthetic fog, filling with a sudden, sharp terror. "Adam... is she... is our baby...?"
"She's fine. She's safe," I said quickly, kissing her hand. "The doctors stopped the bleeding. You're both going to be okay. But you need to rest. You can't stress yourself."
Lily let out a long, shuddering sob of relief, her shoulders shaking. I held her gently, careful not to disturb the IV lines.
"I was so scared," she wept. "I thought I lost her. I thought I lost everything."
"You didn't," I murmured. Then, gently, I pulled back and looked into her eyes. "Lily, the doctor found bruises on your arms. He said you suffered trauma. What happened in the apartment? Who was there?"
Lily’s breath hitched. She looked away, her gaze drifting to the blank wall. "I... I fell, Adam. I told you. I was clumsy, I tripped over the rug—"
"Lily, please. Don't lie to me," I begged, my heart breaking. "The bruises are in the shape of fingers. Someone grabbed you. Was it Marcus?"
At the mention of her brother's name, Lily flinched as if she had been struck. She turned her tear-streaked face back to me, her eyes wide with shock. "How... how do you know about Marcus? I never told you his name."
"My mother," I said bitterly. "She's been digging into your past. She told me about him today. Lily, did he come to the apartment? Did he do this to you?"
Lily closed her eyes, more tears escaping her lashes. "He... he found me a week ago. He called me, begging for money. He said some dangerous people were looking for him. I told him no. I told him I had a new life, a family, and I couldn't help him anymore."
She swallowed hard, her throat working. "But last night... he showed up. He had a key, Adam. I don't know how he got it. He let himself in while I was asleep. I woke up and he was standing over the bed."
A cold rage, hotter and more dangerous than anything I had ever felt, ignited in my chest. "What did he do?"
"He demanded money. He grab-grabbed my arms, shaking me, yelling at me," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I screamed at him to leave. I tried to run to the phone, but he grabbed me again. I fought him off, and in the struggle, the wedding photo fell and shattered. He saw the blood on my hand, saw how much pain I was in, and he... he panicked. He ran out and left me there."
"Why didn't you call the police? Why did you put your nightgown on backward?" I asked, the final pieces of the puzzle falling into place.
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"I tried," she cried. "But the pain... it was so sudden, so intense. I was bleeding, Adam. I was terrified the baby was coming. I was disoriented, dizzy. I had changed into a fresh gown because the other one was covered in blood, but my hands were shaking so badly... I didn't even realize it was backward. I just wanted to get help. I collapsed before I could reach the door."
I pulled her into my arms, my tears finally falling, mingling with hers. "I am so sorry, Lily. I'm so sorry I wasn't there. And I'm sorry I ever doubted you, even for a second. I will never let anyone hurt you again. I swear it."
