Page 16 of Dr. Danger

He looks down at me, his chest heaving. ”I know what’s best for you," he says, his voice rough. ”You’ll thank me for this one day."

”You had no right.” Tears blur my vision as I stare up at him. "Please. Leave."

He shakes his head, frustration and anger etched on his face. "You’re making a mistake. You need me."

"Go," I plead, my voice trembling. "Just go.”

He makes an attempt to pull me close, but I push him away, repeating that I want him to leave and his pride takes over. He’s not going to stay where he’s no longer welcome.

His expression hardens, a sneer curling his lips. "Stupid girl," he snarls, then turns on his heel and storms out of the room.

Seconds later, I hear the front door slam shut, followed by the roar of his motorcycle engine. The sound reverberates through the manor, then slowly fades away into the distance.

I sink to the floor, my legs giving out beneath me. The shredded pieces are scattered around me. I can't stop the tears now, and I let them fall, my body wracked with sobs.

The enormity of what just happened crashes down on me. I just told him to leave... I told my man to leave. It’s too much, without him, everything feels emptier, lonelier.

Colder.

Malva rushes into the room, her eyes widening in horror as she takes in the scene. "Crap, what happened?" She hurries to my side, crouching down and squeezing my shoulders. ”Did he put his hands on you? He hit you, didn’t he?”

I try to steady my breathing, but it’s difficult. The shock and the pain are still too fresh. ”He did no such thing," I manage to choke out.

Malva's expression hardens. "That man’s a menace. For freaks sake, he’s sleeping with his own patient! You’re better off without him. He’s not good for you."

I shake my head, tears still streaming down my face. "He cares about me, Mal. He really does."

"He hurts you, Ave," she says softly but firmly. "He may care, but he's still hurting you. There are other people around you who care, people who would never hurt you like he does."

I look up at her, her kind face blurred by my tears. I know she means well, but deep down, I still feel the pull toward Darren, can’t deny it, can’t escape it. She can never understand what that’s like. My heart aches at the thought of him, even now.

"But it's different with him," I whisper. "It's like... my heart goes wherever he goes. It’s not even in the room with me anymore.”

Malva's expression tenses, and she pulls me into a hug, her hand stroking my head a little too forcefully. ”Stop. You don’t need him. You have me and Joe. We love you more than he ever will.”

I lean into her embrace, trying to accept her comfort, but inside, I know the truth. Darren's presence, his fierce protectiveness, and even his harshness have carved a place in my heart that no one else can fill. The thought of a future without him feels excruciatingly empty.

"I need some time alone,” I say quietly, pulling back and wiping my tears.

Malva nods, anger still in her eyes. ”Just don’t give him any power over you. I’ll be here if you need me."

8.

Avon

It's been a few days since Darren left, and the weight of his absence feels heavier with each second. Despite everything, I miss him so much. The inheritance was rewritten yesterday, and everything is now taken care of, yet I don’t feel any better.

Today, I feel extra sick, my body weak and feverish, as I stroke the box in my hand—it’s a gift I plan on giving Darren. I hope it’ll serve as a peace offering, and mend the bridge I so foolishly burned.

I make my way down to the lobby, clutching the box. I need to find the butler and ask for a ride to Darren's clinic. I’m going to surprise him and hopefully he won’t run at the sight of me. The thought of seeing him again fills me with both dread and anticipation. My heart races as I imagine his reaction—will he even forgive me?

Letting out a gasp, I wobble when I nearly collide with Joe. "Where you off to, Ave?" he asks, his face tense.

”To see Dr. Deathweather,” I explain, my voice trembling slightly. "I know you and Mal don’t approve, but I don’t care. I have to be with him.”

Joe's eyes narrow for a moment, then neutralize. ”Fair enough. I’ll give you a ride," he offers, and I nod gratefully, surprised he’s not protesting.

We step outside, the cool air sneaking down past my collar. I slide into the backseat of Joe's car, my hands trembling slightly in my lap. We drive out of the courtyard, and I glance back at the manor, catching Malva standing in the window. Her face is stricken for some reason, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and determination.