Chapter Forty-six Evan Sterling’s POV (Ten Years Before)

“She has drugs in her system, Mr. Sterling. I just got the report from her samples sent back to the hospital. It’s a little doze so it shouldn’t take long to wear off - roughly about 30 minutes give or take, but she ingested—”
“She didn’t ‘ingest’ drugs, doctor, it was given to her and she didn’t take alcohol too. So, you can rule that one out as well!” I snapped at the doctor sent to examine Estera. And started to pace. “What kind of drug is it?” I asked in a more temperate tone.
“Ketamine. If she didn’t ingest it that means it was mixed with water and she was injected with it,” she said and went to the side of the bed where Estera lay unconscious and started to examine her arm. I watched silently and saw when she paused for a long while examining a particular spot on Estera’s left arm. I went to stand on the other side of the bed, still watching her.
“See this…” she said, and I knelt on the bed to have a closer look. “This tiny reddish spot here may have been where she was injected,” she added, “Are you going to report this to the police? Someone obviously did this with malicious intent. But she wasn’t sexually molested. There was no penetration. She is still a virgin, but she was beaten.” The doctor sounded a tad angry as her eyes settled on Estera’s bruised cheek. But what she just said about Estera being a virgin paralyzed me for about a minute, delaying my response.
I supposed when Estera said she was knowledgeable about sex she meant theory-wise. My heart constricted at the thought that if I had been a moment late. Tyler would have ruined what was supposed to be a happy and satisfying experience into a nightmare. I grew angry all over again and not just at Tyler but at Estera. I told her to stay away from Brian. If she had listened to me this wouldn't have happened.
“Don’t worry, we have the culprit,” I finally replied, hoping I sounded normal.
“Good! The bastard… I mean the person needs to be punished.”
“Oh, he would be. You can rest assured. Is there anything we can do for her?”
“She should be fine. I will just give you pain killer for the bruises.”
“Thanks,” I said.
I saw the doctor off and went to order take out, with the very best of wines and cake -- about three flavors and did the same for the ice cream. Then I went to check the label of her discarded dress for her dress size and was about to leave the room when I thought I should probably check her bra size as well.
I knelt on the bed beside her and slowly reached for the hook of her bra and pulled out the label. I was aware she had a full breast and my treacherous mind pulled out the memory of her coming out naked in that outdoor sauna at home. I let out a shaky breath feeling my cock grow hard for her. I quickly left the bed and walked back to the living room where I left my laptop.
I ordered a few dresses, jackets, pants, lingerie, undies, and sneakers. I figured I ought to get a gift for her but couldn’t think of what she would deem special. With what I have ordered I have literally gotten her a new wardrobe. I decided to call her aunt.
“I am so sorry to be disturbing you so late—”
“It’s okay, I was reading anyway,” she responded, sounding well awake.
“I want to get Estera a birthday gift but couldn’t think of anything she might enjoy.”
The older woman chuckled and replied, “Books.”
“What?”
“Books. She loves to read.”
“I know, but you don’t think she would want something more—”
“Trust me, books should do it. Do you want me to help you check the ones on her wish list?”
“Please,” I replied, trying to suppress a smile.
“Alright.”
“Thank you, Ms. Sophia.”
“Don’t thank me! I should be the one thanking you!”
“It’s okay she is special to me.”
“I can tell. Thank you so much, Mr. Sterling. I will send the link shortly.”
“I will appreciate it,” I said, wanting to tell her to call me Evan, but I knew that would be no use. I ended the call. ‘Books,’ I thought to myself and chuckled. When the link came in and I clicked on it, I saw about twenty-four books on her wish list, both fiction and non-fiction some of which I had wanted myself. I paid for them and added twenty more popular new ones, picking the fastest delivery option available so they could have them delivered by evening. Then I went to my mother’s favorite jeweler’s site and bought a gold chain for her.
Afterward, I went to pour myself some drink and paused when I thought I heard Estera’s voice. I walked back to the room and saw her sitting up on the bed with the cover sheets wrapped around her to her chest. She was on the phone evidently talking to Brian, assuring him she was okay.
“Okay, thank you,” she said and ended the call.
“Am I missing something?” I asked and she raised her face to hold my gaze across the room. I stood just by the door not making any move to walk inside.
“Evan,” she called and I could see her eyes were glistening with tears. I wanted to rush to her and gathered her into my arms, but the profound jealousy inside me kept me rooted to the spot.
“This whole going to Brian’s party and disobeying me when I asked you to stay away from him, is it a means to an end?”
“What are you talking about, Evan?”
“I don’t know, you tell me. When I saw you earlier you seem to have been well inducted into the Charlestown elite club, perhaps you have discovered the best way for girls of your station to get by around here is to get a rich guy to sink your teeth into?”
“What?!” she shot up from the bed, and the covers slipped from her body to expose her chest and she jerkily pulled it up while glaring at me. “Brian invited me! And my interest in him is far from what you are insinuating!”
“Why did you go there?!”
“I didn’t want to be alone! Today is my birthday and I--”
“Estera—” I said, coming to my senses and trying to interrupt her passionate tirade, but she didn’t let me.
She paused, took a shaky breath, with eyes glistening with unshed tears and continued, “--And Tyler, your friend didn’t attack me because of Brian, he attacked me as a supposed payback for something you did to him!”
And that took me by surprise. Rage rushed through me. “What?! What did he say to you exactly?!” I said, balling my already bruised fist.
“He said it was nothing personal I was just going to be a means to get to you! Was that because you both are sleeping with Joyce?!”
“That is none of your concern, Estera,” I said, insanely pissed Tyler had dragged her into our mess. I brought out my phone and started to dial.
“Who are you calling?” she asked.
“Brian—I left that bastard on his property,” I said with gritted teeth.
“I already told him,” she said.
“What?” I exclaimed, raising angry gaze to hold hers.
“I already told him. I told him Tyler injected me with some date drug,” she explained.
“Why the hell didn’t you wait to tell me first?” I yelled, letting my jealousy get the best of me, again.
“Because he asked--”
“You were unconscious when I got to you. You should have let me be the one to handle it!”
“Why are you like this? What does it matter who knows first, Evan. Brian said he will handle it. He is a lawyer, right?”
“Because you are mine! It is my responsibility to care for you, not his!”
“Evan— What?”
I marched towards her and stood in front of her, leaving barely an inch between our bodies. She looked up into my eyes with tears streaming down her face, and I cupped her delicate jaw.
“How can you say that to me. When you just practically call me a gold digger?” she said in barely a whisper.
“I got in that house and saw you in his arms—” I relived the anger, jealousy, and all the confusing emotions I had felt at that very moment when I saw her in Brian’s arms. The emotions mercilessly attacked my inside all over again, making me feel raw and my voice sounded almost like a vicious growl.
“We were dancing, Evan,” she replied searching my gaze.
“He had his hands all over you!”
“Evan—”
“You are mine… mine, Estera, do you understand. You ever let any other man touch you, I swear I will surely be sent to jail for murder.”