Chapter 131

[MIA]

I had no idea how many days had passed since my rescue, or how long it had been since I left the hospital and Alex brought me home. The guards, whom I initially disliked, now offered a comforting presence, but this relief quickly morphed into anxiety as I remembered the possibility of an inside job. At least, that's what I overheard Alex and Damien discussing while they thought I was asleep at the hospital.

"You look better today," Sofia said, caressing my hair as she visited me that morning after I woke up, a daily ritual since my rescue. Sleep still weighed heavily on my eyes despite a cold shower—a side effect of the strong painkillers. "Thank you," I offered a weak smile, though I didn't feel it. "I'm sorry you have to be here because of me."

"I like being here," she reassured me. "This is the most time I've spent with my son in ages. Besides, it's been good getting to know his wife."

Sofia watched me intently, seemingly eager to gauge my reaction to being called his wife. I remained impassive, or at least I tried to.

"How long has it been since I left the hospital?" I asked.

"It's the tenth day today."

"Oh." This meant Sofia and Gabriel had been here for over two weeks—because of me. In a dangerous world, despite their son's best efforts to keep everyone safe, I fought back the overwhelming guilt.

I still wasn't ready to talk to Alex. I was so angry, I wanted to kill him and cry in his arms simultaneously.

"When are you returning?" I asked quietly.

"Sick of me already?" she teased.

"No," my eyes widened. "No. I just"

Her eyebrows furrowed affectionately. "What is it, Mia?"

"If it's not too much trouble," my gaze dropped to the sky-blue satin sheets, their smoothness suddenly captivating, "I was wondering if I could come with you."

"To our home?" she asked carefully.

I nodded slowly, reluctantly. "I can't stay here." My voice cracked, tears welling in my eyes. I hated this weakness. "I'm scared all the time. Just for a little while," I added quickly. "I promise I won't be a burden. You don't have to give me any of your time; you can live your life. I'll just stay quietly, I won't be in your way at all."

"Hey. Stop crying," Sofia held both my hands, and for the first time in two weeks, I didn't flinch away. "You're not a burden. Not to me and Gabriel, not to Alex, to nobody, okay?"

I hesitantly nodded.

"You're married to my son, Mia. You're my daughter now. Of course you can come with me, and you can stay as long as you need. I'll call my housekeeper and ask her to prepare the guest room. Scratch that, I'll ask her to set up Alex's room. Is that okay?"

I nodded, my eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you so much."

"You don't have to thank me," she reassured me. "It's your home as much as Alex's. Which reminds me, convincing him to let you…"

The hope blossoming in my heart withered.

"Absolutely not!" Alex's strong voice echoed in my room, which felt smaller than I remembered.

I inhaled deeply, trying to manage his presence, and the memory of screaming at him to leave each time he tried to talk to me resurfaced. Even with Sofia present, Alex's eyes remained fixed on me, slightly narrowed. "You talk to me for the first time in ten days, and it's a request to leave?"

Guilt laced my voice. "I'm not leaving," I retorted, "Just—I need to get away for a little while."

"Who will protect you there?"

"Who protected me here?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.

I froze.

Alex stared at me, his poker face momentarily crumbling to reveal hurt before regaining its composure.

"Alex…" I mumbled, then fell silent. What could I even say?

"You know, I'm just going to step out to grab some coffee," Sofia kindly interrupted, leaving before I could stop her.

Alex’s eyebrows rose, and he sat on the bed reluctantly, as if unsure I would start screaming at him to leave. I didn't. I just stared at the sheets, avoiding eye contact.

"Do you really believe I can't protect you, Mia?" he asked quietly.

I looked up hesitantly. "I think you can protect me," I said carefully. "But I also know that what happened… happened. I'm not over it."

"I know."

"I want to get away for some time, where I know I'm safe," I added quietly. "Joking with Ronan, pranking you, spending time with your mom and Aurora… for those two days, it felt like I was part of a family for the first time in so long."

"Very well," he nodded.

My eyes snapped to his. "You're not going to fight me on this?"

"Mia, baby…" his voice trailed off, helplessness evident. "I'll do whatever it takes to bring happiness back into your life, okay? Whatever it takes."

"Including divorcing me?"

His gaze softened. "Do you want a divorce?"

I don't know what stopped me from seizing the opportunity. Maybe it was seeing him properly after nearly ten days, hearing his voice, sitting close to him. Even without his touch, I yearned for him. But the logical part of me knew that if I did that, it would take days to repair our relationship, and I wasn't sure I was ready for that, or ever. If this marriage was to work, if there was even a chance, he needed to treat me as an equal, not someone to blackmail.

"Can I go with Sofia?" That's all I said in response.

He nodded. "We can."

"You'll come too?" Surprise laced my voice.

"I'll follow you anywhere, Mia. To the f***ing end of the earth if you want me to. I'll be your shadow."

Tears welled in my eyes at his words. I kept falling for him, even while remembering the man's weight on me, the lingering feeling of his assault. I wanted to reach out and take his hand but didn’t.

I just let him sit beside me, hoping that would be enough for now.