CHAPTER 35: 35

The sting of the needle pierced my neck, igniting a wave of pain that threatened to engulf me. Heat surged through my veins, rendering me helpless as tears cascaded down my cheeks. Through the haze of agony, I struggled to open my heavy eyelids, to be greeted by a blinding light that beckoned me to retreat into darkness.

"Are you awake?" I heard a familiar voice ask peeping through my dark curtains like a soothing balm amidst the chaos, when his voice reached my ears, I tried to get a glimpse of him but my vision blurred as exhaustion threatened to drag me under once more. Nix, his presence a lifeline in the sea of uncertainty, wiped away my tears with a tenderness that stirred something deep within me.

As consciousness slowly reclaimed me, I found myself in an unfamiliar room, far removed from the sterile confines of a hospital. Confusion gnawed at my senses as I attempted to piece together the fragments of my fragmented memory. Nix, ever the steadfast companion, slept beside me, his features softened by the glow of moonlight filtering through the window.

"You’re finally awake?" His voice, tinged with relief, shattered the silence, but I couldn’t help but notice the weariness etched into his features. This wasn’t the Nix Dean I once knew; his disheveled appearance hinted at the turmoil lurking beneath the surface.

"You shouldn’t scare me like that again," he murmured, his touch a gentle caress against my skin. Yet, beneath the facade of calm, I sensed a storm brewing, threatening to engulf us both in its fury.

"Two hours remain before the end of your birthday. Let’s prepare." With gentle hands, he removed the oxygen mask from my face, lifting me with care and settling me into a wheelchair. "I’ll summon the maids to assist you." His lips brushed mine in a tender kiss before he departed, leaving me to contemplate in solitude.

I drew in a deep breath, attempting to steady my racing thoughts. Recalling the cryptic words of the man who claimed to be Nix’s uncle, uncertainty clouded my mind, leaving me adrift in a sea of doubt.

"Madame," a voice called, breaking through my reverie as a group of ladies entered the room, each carrying various items. Without hesitation, they assisted me in changing my attire, dressing me in a flowing gown that cascaded to the floor, paired with a snug jacket and delicate slippers. My hair was deftly styled and secured with a simple clip, framing my face in soft waves.

As the women silently departed, leaving me alone once more, I turned to find Nix standing at the door, his presence a reassuring anchor amidst the swirling chaos of uncertainty.

"You look beautiful," he murmured, his words a gentle caress that warmed my heart as he lifted me into his arms.

With a quiet determination, Nix guided me through the motions of preparation, his actions a silent testament to his unwavering devotion. As I sat before the dining table, adorned in finery fit for a celebration, I couldn’t shake the nagging sense of unease that clung to me like a shadow.

"Make a wish," he urged, his eyes betraying a hint of uncertainty as he watched me blow out the candle. But as the flickering flame extinguished, so too did my resolve, replaced by a wave of doubt that threatened to drown me.

"I won’t cut the cake," I declared, my voice steady despite the tumult raging within. "I shouldn’t be accepting any more favors from you, Mr. Dean."I asserted, refusing to avert my gaze, longing to decipher his reaction, yet he remained inscrutable, his expression a mask of stoicism.

"Then don’t repay," he stated firmly, his eyes unwavering as he placed a small box before me. "Accept my proposal to be my wife for one year, and I’ll release you from any debt. Furthermore, I’ll provide a billion to help you start anew." His words hung heavy in the air, laden with both promise and peril.

His offer hung between us, a silent plea for absolution amidst the chaos. Yet, beneath his stoic facade, I sensed a vulnerability that mirrored my own.I found myself questioning whether the man standing before me was truly the same individual who had shown me such kindness in my darkest moments. Was he the same person who had been there for me when I awoke, trembling with the aftermath of a near-fatal panic attack? Was he the one who had bestowed upon me a thoughtful gift, offering solace and encouragement when I secured a sponsorship?

As doubt clouded my mind, I instinctively pushed the chair I was seated in away, a silent gesture of defiance. With trembling hands, I reached to remove the chain from my leg, a tangible reminder of the constraints that bound me to him. Yet, before I could free myself, his grip tightened, halting my escape.

"Why are you doing this?" he demanded, his voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and concern.

Caught off guard by his reaction, I hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. With a heavy sigh, I met his gaze, searching for answers in the depths of his eyes. But what I found there only deepened the mystery surrounding him, leaving me to question whether his intentions were truly as noble as they seemed.

"I’m tired, Nix," I confessed, my words a whispered plea for understanding. "I just want a normal life, free from the shackles of obligation and deceit." Seeing the silence that followed, I braced myself before continuing "As I mentioned at the party, I refuse to be treated as anyone’s possession. While marriage may seem like a game to you, it holds significant weight for me, especially at my age. So, I’ll be direct: Do you harbor genuine feelings for me?"

I met his gaze squarely, only for him to avert his eyes, evading the intensity of the moment. With a nod, I rose unsteadily, relying on the table for support as my legs weakened beneath me.

"When you’re ready to provide an honest answer, I’ll consider your proposal," I declared, regaining my composure as I retreated to the solitude of the room he provided me, a sense of clarity washed over me, tempered by the weight of newfound purpose. With each passing moment, the lines between truth and deception blurred, leaving me to navigate the treacherous waters of my own desires.

As I slowly made my way back to my phone, a smile tugged at my lips at the sight of the caller’s name.

"Hello," I greeted warmly, eager for the familiar voice on the other end.

"I finally caught the birthday girl! How are you?" Tommy’s voice radiated warmth and concern, instantly detecting the turmoil beneath my facade. Though I couldn’t divulge the truth of my ordeal, I offered a partial confession, craving his comforting presence.

"Listen, whether he has a girlfriend or not shouldn’t consume you," I reassured myself as much as him, absorbing Tommy’s sage advice. With a nod of determination, I accepted his guidance, recognizing the need to prioritize my own desires over external pressures.

"Alright, once you’re done with work, come straight home. It’s been too long since we last saw each other, and I have a surprise for you," Tommy’s excitement was contagious, coaxing a chuckle from me before we bid farewell.

As the call ended, I turned to face the remnants of my past, the jacket and the drug concealed within its folds. Tommy’s words echoed in my mind, grounding me in resolve. It was time to chart my own course, to seize control of my destiny and secure my desires.

With determination coursing through my veins, I set aside the artifacts of my past, ready to forge a new path forward. The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but armed with clarity and conviction, I was prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

But little did I know, the path that lay ahead would test the limits of my courage and resilience, leading me down a road fraught with danger and desire. And as the tendrils of fate wove their intricate tapestry, I found myself drawn ever closer to the truth that lay buried beneath layers of deception.

For in the tangled web of love and betrayal, only time would reveal the secrets that lay hidden within the depths of my fractured heart. And as the dawn of a new day beckoned, I knew that the journey had only just begun, with every twist and turn leading me ever closer to the answers I sought.

And as I lay beneath the covers, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, I resolved to seize control of my own destiny, no matter the cost.As I gazed at the leg chain gifted to me by Nix and the vial of drugs handed to me by his enigmatic uncle, Tommy’s words echoed in my mind like a haunting refrain, though in darkness, I glimpsed a flicker of hope, a beacon of light amidst the shadows.