Chapter 296 The Most Painful Forced Smile
Dennis and Kaitlyn exchanged a helpless look, their hearts heavy for James. What could they possibly say to ease his pain? Finally, Kaitlyn sighed and said, "James, try to get some rest. Please, if there's anything you need, anything at all, don't hesitate to tell us."
James remained silent, gazing at the ceiling vacantly, his stillness suggesting a soul torn apart.
Shaking their heads sadly, they quietly left the room, closing the door softly behind them.
After an immeasurable time, James let out a shuddering sigh and closed his eyes, willing himself to find oblivion in sleep.
But peace eluded him. Jennifer's face, their precious moments together, replayed endlessly in his mind, each memory a fresh stab of agony.
Suddenly, he sensed a presence, and his eyes flew open. Standing silently in the room was Arianwen.
She glided silently, materializing and vanishing like smoke, her form insubstantial.
"Have you been crying?" she asked, her voice laced with surprise. Her eyes, usually cold and unreadable, were wide with shock as she took in James' swollen face.
The James she knew was arrogant, untouchable, almost flippant in the face of danger. Even in instances where she attempted to terminate him on multiple occasions, he had never demonstrated such a degree of vulnerability. He had been infuriatingly cocky but never broken. And now...he was crying?
It was inconceivable. She blinked, as if trying to clear her vision, but the image remained the same. James had been crying.
He looked utterly defeated, lying there devoid of any spark. Had she not seen it with her own eyes, she would've deemed him lifeless, a mere shell.
A pang of something unfamiliar shot through Arianwen – sympathy. Her heightened senses, usually focused on threats and opportunities, were bombarded by the raw grief emanating from James, and she found herself strangely affected by it.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice softer than usual, the words devoid of their usual coldness.
Had he been in any other state, James would have been taken aback by her uncharacteristic concern. But now, nothing mattered.
"Just make me sleep," he whispered, ignoring her question. "I can't...I can't switch off."
Arianwen's eyes flickered with curiosity, the question burning on her tongue. But something held her back. With a barely perceptible nod, she moved towards him. She exerted her will, gently forcing him into the solace of sleep. As his eyelids finally fluttered closed, a look of relief washed over his face.
Arianwen watched him sleep, a silent sentinel. She carefully drew a blanket over him and remained by his side, an unmoving statue guarding his slumber.
James slept deeply, lost in a world where pain couldn't touch him. When he finally stirred awake, the sun was already dipping towards the horizon.
Arianwen's touch had been a little forceful, and his head throbbed with a dull ache. He felt heavy and sluggish, as if he had drunk himself into oblivion.
"You're awake."
The voice was soft, concerned, and achingly familiar.
He turned his head and looked directly into the eyes of his wife, Jennifer. Even the soft golden light of the setting sun couldn't disguise the love and worry etched on her face.
Her appearance triggered a surge of fresh agony, overwhelming him. The pain was so severe that he clutched his chest, his knuckles turning pale against the bandages. A strangled cry escaped his lips as the newly healed wound tore open, fresh blood blooming through the fabric.
Jennifer gasped, her eyes widening in alarm. "James! What's wrong? Don't scare me like that! Doctor! Doctor! Quickly, something's wrong with James!"
He grasped her hand, his grip surprisingly strong. "No...no need for the doctor. I'm fine."
"Don't be ridiculous! You're in agony! You're going to be the death of me, I swear!" Her voice was a mixture of panic, anger, and raw fear.
The doctor arrived quickly, his face grim as he examined the reopened wound on James' chest. He muttered a string of reprimands, warning James that further damage could lead to infection and serious complications.
Jennifer, her eyes fixed on the gruesome sight of his injury, unleashed a torrent of frustrated words, her voice thick with worry.
James remained silent, his head bowed, accepting her scolding without protest. His thoughts were a turbulent storm, hidden from view.
Finally, Jennifer sensed something was amiss. Her tirade ceased, and she sat beside him, taking his hand in hers. "James," she said softly, her voice filled with concern, "your hand is freezing. What happened? Tell me. We'll face it together."
"Nothing," he mumbled, shaking his head. He gently pulled his hand away. "I'm just...tired. I think I need to sleep."
Jennifer frowned. "But you just woke up! James, something's not right. Tell me, did someone say something to you?" Her intuition, sharp as ever, whispered that something was deeply wrong.
James paused, then a smile lit up his face, the transformation so sudden it was almost jarring. He poked her playfully in the ribs, making her jump. "See? You worry too much. Fooled you, didn't I?"
Jennifer stared at him, stunned. The sadness, the despair, it was all gone. Replaced by...this? Could he really be joking at a time like this? She wasn't sure what to believe.
She scrutinized his countenance with an intense gaze. His eyes were crystal clear, his demeanor composed as per usual. Releasing a breath she hadn't been consciously holding, she playfully swatted at his arm. "James! Don't you ever do that again! You scared the life out of me!" Her relief was palpable, even through her feigned anger.
He laughed, the sound light and carefree. But beneath the surface, hidden from view, he dug his fingernails into his thigh, a fresh wave of pain washing over him. The wound on his chest, a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil, throbbed in sync with his racing heart.
Later, alone in the bathroom, James stared at his reflection. The face staring back at him was a mask, carefully constructed to hide the storm raging within. Perhaps, he thought, it was time to leave. To disappear, before his carefully constructed facade crumbled completely.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
