Addicted after marriage - Chapter 17:
Qin Heng stared at her, unflinching, calmly wiping the saliva from his face.
He didn’t even utter a single complaint.
Then he noticed the phone in Luo Shu’s hand.
The call had just connected when he snatched it away.
Give it back, Qin Heng! she shouted, panic making her voice crack.
At that moment, a voice in her mind mocked her. Expecting him to act sensibly? Hmph.
Now that he knows you’re carrying his child,
he’ll probably be thinking of ways to make you get rid of it tomorrow.
He scoffed, hung up, and tossed the phone aside.
He won’t. Not everyone is like you, she thought fiercely.
I’m doing this for you, Luo Shu. I love you. I love you so much,
he slurred, the smell of alcohol heavy on his words.
I believe you love me, Qin Heng, she whispered, trembling,
trying not to provoke him. Let go of me, let’s talk.
But his eyes were red with fury, reason gone.
He leaned over her, suddenly yanking at her torn clothing until it came off.
A shiver ran through her body, the cold air hitting exposed skin.
A long red mark bloomed across her pale shoulder.
You’ve gone mad, Qin Heng! she gasped.
I’m mad for you, he roared.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from outside the door.
Help! She tried to scream, but his large hand clamped over her mouth and nose.
Her lungs burned. Darkness clouded her mind.
Shut up, he demanded, his strength crushing her face painfully against his palm.
Everything went black.
But soon, she felt herself lighten, fresh air flooding her lungs. Life returned.
Coughing, she opened her eyes.
Qin Heng was being dragged to the floor by a shadowy figure.
The sound of flesh hitting flesh and groans of pain reached her ears.
One, two blows…
When she gathered herself and climbed up from the sofa,
she realized Yu Zhan was standing in the living room.
His face was fierce, glasses streaked with bl00d,
and a white shirt stained crimson. Calmly, he wiped the bl00d from his hands with a tissue.
Qin Heng lay on the ground, moaning in agony, bl00d pooling beneath him,
the room thick with a sickening metallic scent.
Yu Zhan noticed her and gave a slight nod.
Tears, long dry, streamed from Luo Shu’s eyes.
Shen Yan rushed in, his footsteps echoing on the dislodged door frame.
Call the police, and get an ambulance. Notify Qin’s family too, Yu Zhan instructed.
Breathless and pale, Shen Yan fumbled for his phone and dialed.
Yu Zhan picked up the suit jacket he had tossed on the sofa earlier and approached her.
Kneeling, his piercing eyes fixed on her as he draped the
jacket over her shoulders and then pulled her close against him.
This is the last time I ask. Are you coming with me? he demanded,
his grip firm enough that if she said no, he would turn and leave.
Yes, she whispered, tears brimming, her broken voice barely audible.
Yu Zhan blinked in disbelief, then asked, Are you sure?
She didn’t answer with words. Kneeling, she closed her trembling eyes and
pressed her lips against his, warm and slightly tinged with bl00d.
Their breaths mingled before they pulled away.
He held her carefully in his arms, gently stroking her tear-stained face.
The police arrived shortly, questioning went smoothly, and the paramedics took Qin Heng away.
I’ll take her home first. You handle the luggage, Yu Zhan instructed.
He held her close, feeling her damp hair from sweat, carefully carrying her to the door.
The journey continued in silence, her body still in his arms, until they arrived at his villa.
He didn’t let her down until they reached the bathroom.
I can manage, she insisted, nervous in the enclosed space.
I’ll get you something to wear for now, he said, leaving without looking back.
Alone, she looked at herself in the mirror, trying to shake off the trauma.
She slipped off the jacket, pressing it to her lips and whispering a quiet thank you.
A knock came at the door.
She opened a crack to see a large hand holding a black shirt.
She took it, along with a pair of slippers tossed inside.
Thank you, she said softly.
He reminded her to call if she needed anything, then left.
After what felt like forever, she finished drying her hair.
Without a bra, wearing only his oversized shirt, she felt exposed but brave.
She walked through the villa quietly, stopping in the familiar space they had shared that night.
Fear and tension gripped her as she clutched her hands.
Another knock at the door startled her, and she hid under the covers.
Come in, she called softly.
Yu Zhan entered with her suitcase, speaking calmly.
All your luggage is here. I got you tomorrow off, so rest before work.
Change into something comfortable, then call me. I’ll help treat your wounds.
He was dressed in clean home clothes, his voice still cold and unreadable.
She admired his composure and thought that if she loved him, he would be an excellent partner.
She changed into her inner clothes under his shirt, then called him over.
His hands were gentle as he applied medicine to her scratches and bruises.
How did you come so fast? she asked, surprised.
I followed you from the hospital. I saw Qin Heng enter the elevator,
so I came back. I also got your call.
Her cheeks flushed as she realized just how close they were.
Her gaze traced the contours of his perfect face, and she felt her heart race.
Did it hurt? he asked, voice icy even when gentle.
No, she whispered.
He reminded her to turn the other side, and she obediently obeyed,
keeping her eyes closed to avoid imagining things.
After applying the ointment, he tidied up and suggested dinner.
Food had been delivered, and she could eat before resting.
I’ll wait for you downstairs, he said, leaving her a moment to herself.