Chapter 36
Emma couldn’t stop shaking. Tremors shuddered through her as she recalled Maurice’s grimy, sticky hands grope all over her. His sweaty, greasy flesh pressed on hers, his sour, musty breath, the fetid scent of his skin… they enveloped her and she wanted to throw up. He was disgusting, inside and out.
Will sat her in the passenger seat of his car. His suit jacket wrapped around her and she clung to it like a shield. She was still quite exposed. Will scowled as he noticed.
“Wait here,” he muttered. “I’ll be right back.”
“No!” Emma reached out for him. “Please don’t leave me.” Will kneeled in front of her, his face close to hers.
“I’m not leaving,” he caressed her face. “I’m just going to get something to cover you.” Will dashed away and moments later returned with a blanket. He tucked it around her, internally cursing at all the marks on her body.
The car ride was tense and silent. The atmosphere was cold, but charged with Will’s anger. Emma stared out the window, at the people walking by, the people in other cars, the homes and businesses they passed. Each one was its own world with its own joys and sorrows. She wondered if any of them suffered as she did. She imagined they all lived perfect and happy lives. Of course, everyone had their hardships, but there was no way anyone else could be as miserable as she was. Every time she had something to be happy or grateful for, it seemed that something catastrophic would soon follow. Without fail, every high in her low came with a disastrous low. *But not them,* she thought of the people outside. *They are happy. Their lives are simple yet fulfilling.* All of the world’s misery was hers alone to bear.
Will glanced over at Emma. Her head rested against the window, a far-off wistful look in her eyes. Some skin on her neck was visible, and he saw more bruises. A few looked like hickeys and his blood boiled all over again.
“He’s going to pay for this,” he seethed. “He will regret he ever laid eyes on you.”
“Thank you for saving me,” Emma whispered, still looking out the window.
“What did he do to you?” Will asked. Emma looked over at him. His face gave away no emotions. But those eyes. They brewed and bubbled with tempered rage. She curled into herself and clutched the blanket closer to her body.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she answered in a small voice. Will’s knuckles tightened around the steering wheel. “Please don’t make me.”
“Did he hurt you?”
“Please, Will. I can’t do this right now.”
“I have to know!” Will raised his voice and Emma flinched. “I need to know if he hurt you,” he continued in a softer tone. “Did he… Emma, did he manage to…” Will struggled to get the words out, the thought alone made him want to rip that man apart.
Emma stared at him. She didn’t understand why he was asking her all of these questions. It wasn’t like she was anything special to him. She didn’t want his pity, or for him to look down on her anymore than he already did.
“Why do you care?” Emma’s voice broke. “Is it because you’re worried about ‘your pet’? That he damaged one of ‘your things’? Is that why you came? To protect your investment?” She yelled at him. Will was stunned. *Is that really what she thinks of me?*
“Emma…”
“No. It’s not you care about me or anything. You don’t care about me. You don’t even like me. I know what my place is,” Emma cried, her fear, shame and adrenaline crashing all around her. “You just think I’m your property. Just like he did. I’m not worth anymore to you than I was to him. That’s why you came for me isn’t it? I know it is. That’s why… you came… for… me.” Earth shattering sobs took over Emma’s body and she shook with her violent crying.
Will pulled the car over and, to Emma’s surprise, he pulled her over into his lap. He stared at her, an unknown emotion swirling in his eyes. His hand reached up and caressed the side of her face.
“You’re safe now,” he whispered.
Those words were enough, and Emma couldn’t hold back anymore. She buried her head in his chest and cried. Thick, hot tears spilled from her. Her nose ran, her small fingers clutched Will’s shirt like he was her only life line, and her loud wails filled the car. Will stroked her hair and let her cry.
“You are safe now,” he repeated, his arms wrapping around her. “Everything will be okay.” She sank further into him, wanting desperately to believe him. The words themselves were not all that comforting, but Will had never been this sweet or gentle. She wanted to believe that he meant it. She cried for a long time, emptying herself of the gloom that had settled in her heart. Or at least she hoped to. After some time, she straightened up and saw the mess she’d left on Will’s shirt. It was ruined. Will moved her back over to the passenger’s seat. She cowered as far back as she could go, expecting he’d be upset with her.
Showing that much weakness in front of William Stewart is something she never wanted to do. He fished out a handkerchief and handed it to her. It was moments like this that she fell in love with him. But she knew they were only flashes and not who he was at all. This was not a fairy tale and they would not have a happy ending. The day they would finally be able to part ways would be a bittersweet one.
He didn’t speak, just provided her silent company. Emma figured it was because Will didn’t know how to deal with such heavy emotions. But either way, she was touched.
“Why did you come?” she asked, not sure what answer she was hoping for. Will leaned towards, grabbing her chin, and lifting her head. As a response, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. It made Emma’s heart melt and flutter at the same time. His eyes smoldered with passion, as he pulled away from her.
“You’re mine and mine alone,” he breathed. The words spoke of possessiveness, but his tone spoke of longing, and perhaps something else Emma could only dream of. “All of you. Every inch of you. No one will ever hurt you again.”
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