10. He Came To Save Me!

AMBER. I heard the creak of the main door opening, followed by footsteps I recognized. The voice was familiar, but I didn't expect him to show up here at all, let alone tonight. "You..." I choked, my heart seemingly forgetting how to beat. He stood there, his silhouette firm in the dim hallway lights. His eyes stared straight at me, filled with something I couldn't quite decipher-anger, anxiety, or maybe... fear? "Get out of here, before it's too late," he said, his voice low but firm. I didn't have time to respond. My ex-lover, who minutes ago tried to threaten me with words as cold as knife blades, looked at her with a mocking smile. "Oh, the hero has finally come," he muttered. "You shouldn't have come back to his life," my husband said in a tone I almost didn't recognize-so loud, so sure. He rarely spoke like this, let alone against someone. But tonight was different. My hands were shaking. All of this had happened so fast. Before I could process the crushing fear, there was a mix of other emotions-relief, anxiety, and something resembling hope. "I don't need your help," I tried to say, but my voice sounded small, almost shaky. He gave me a glance, and in that look I saw everything-feelings that he had never spoken of, but I knew were there. "I know you don't need me," he said softly. "But I'll still be here for you." And for the first time in weeks, I felt a little safer, even though the image of my ex-lover was still standing in the corner, watching everything with a hateful gaze. The VVIP club room felt even more crowded, even though we were only a few steps away. Red neon lights flashed, refracting the tense faces all around, but I could only focus on one thing: my husband and my ex-lover facing each other in the center of the room. I don't know how we ended up here-amongst the stunned crowd, the deafening music, and the air filled with the smell of alcohol. It all felt so far away from the world I was used to. "What are you doing here?" my husband asked in a trembling voice, his hands clenched tightly. My ex-lover, Danu, just smiled sarcastically, his body leaning forward slightly, as if in challenge. "I just want to make sure she doesn't fall into the arms of the wrong man. A man who doesn't know how to protect her." I was about to step forward, separating them, but before I could move, there was a loud crash. My husband kicked Danu in the stomach, knocking him back two steps. The atmosphere in the room changed instantly-all eyes were on them, and the next seconds were filled only with the sound of clashing fists. Danu retaliated with a crushing blow to my husband's face, making his body stagger slightly. I saw blood start to flow from the corner of his lips, and my heart felt like it was being crushed by a rock. "I won't let you hurt her again," my husband gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with angry fire. I was transfixed, unable to move. My body was frozen, watching two men who had once been a part of my life fight before my eyes. Danu, with all his pride and arrogance, and my husband, who I knew was more than ready to sacrifice himself for me. Danu attacked again, but my husband was faster. His punch hit Danu squarely on the chin, knocking him to the ground. I could barely breathe as I watched Danu stagger. "Enough!" I shouted, my voice hoarse and choked. However, my words seemed meaningless in the midst of their rage. I ran towards them, clutching my husband's hand with fear and anxiety. "Don't. This isn't how we solve problems," I said, trying to hold back the tears that were about to fall. My husband stopped, taking a deep breath. His face was red, his temples were throbbing, and he looked so tired. But his eyes, those protective eyes, never left me. My husband stopped, taking a deep breath. His face was red, his temples were throbbing, and he looked so tired. But his eyes, those protective eyes, never left me. "It's not him I have to fight," she whispered. "I just want you to be safe." *** I stood in front of the large wooden door, knocking so hard that my knuckles turned red. The sound behind the door stopped, then the creak of hinges filled the air. She appeared, with a look on her face that was calmer than it should have been. As if she had no idea what had just happened. "We need to talk." I pushed the door wider without waiting for him to give me permission. My body was trembling, not just from anger, but also the remnants of fear that were still clumped in my chest. He sighed, closing the door slowly. "If this is about earlier-" "Of course it is!" I cut in, my voice rising. "What else do we need to talk about if not the fact that I almost died because I was targeted by your enemies?" He walked past the small table, sat down on a chair, and gave me a flat look. "You knew the risks from the start, Lira. This is nothing new." I laughed, the sound coming out more like a burst of bitterness. "Risk? Seriously? I didn't sign any contract to be their bait. You didn't even give me a warning!" "You can't always expect everything to go smoothly," he said, his voice remaining low. "Are you serious?" I walked up to him, my hands now clenched at my sides. "You said I should trust you. You said you would protect me. But today I stood in the center of their gunfire, alone, while you were nowhere to be found!" He finally looked at me, his eyes dark and sharp. But I wasn't afraid. Not anymore. "I can't be in two places at once, Lira. They attacked faster than expected." "That's your excuse? 'Faster than expected'? You started all this! If I became their target, it's because I was too close to you. You know that." I bit my lip, trying to hold back the heat in my eyes. "I never asked for this. I never asked to live with the shadow of a threat every second." He rose from his chair, his body larger and more intimidating in close quarters. But I didn't back down. I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction. "I did what needed to be done," he said quietly, but firmly. "If you want to be angry, be angry. But remember, Lira, we can't turn back time." I stared at him, holding my breath for a moment. "And remember, Rian," I said in a shaky but determined voice, "I have limits too. If this is your way of protecting me, I'm not sure I need that protection anymore." I stepped away, the large wooden door creaking again as I closed it behind me. But this time, there was no trepidation in my steps. Just determination-to take care of myself, with or without him. *** I sat in the corner of the room, staring at the small window reflecting the dusk light. The sound of a soft knock on the door made me turn my head. I knew it was her, though I wished she hadn't come. "Just come in," I said softly. He pushed the door open slowly, his steps almost silent as he approached. I didn't turn around. I knew he was looking at me, trying to read my mood as usual. "Lira," he said finally, his voice heavy yet soft. I let out a long breath, trying to calm the turmoil in my chest. "If you came to defend yourself, I don't want to hear it." He was silent for a moment, then sat down in the chair across from me. "I didn't come to defend myself," he said. "I came to apologize." I looked at her for the first time since she came in. His face looks more tired than usual, the firm lines in his jaw softened. He didn't avoid my gaze. "Apologize?" I snapped, half sarcastically. "You think an apology will fix everything? I almost died, Rian. I almost..." My voice broke, and I looked away before he could see the tears that were starting to well up. "I know," he said softly. "I know, and I'm not going to try to justify what happened. It was my fault. I should have been more prepared, more alert." I shook my head, fighting back the sudden tightness. "You knew they were after me. But you still let me be in that place alone. Do you know what it's like to feel like no one can protect you?" She looked down, her hands clenched into fists on the small table between us. "I know. And I hated it. I hate myself for leaving you in such danger." I scanned her face, looking for signs of a lie. But all I found was painful honesty. "If you knew, why didn't you do anything? Why do I always have to be the one who gets hurt in this game, Rian?" He looked at me again, his eyes filled with something I had never seen before. Regret. Something he rarely showed. "I was wrong," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "I was overconfident. I thought I could control everything. But I was wrong. And it almost cost me you." Silence fills the room, only the sound of my heavy breathing and her almost drowned voice. "Sorry isn't enough, Rian," I said finally, softer than I expected. "Sorry won't erase the fear I feel every time I see them. But..." I took a deep breath. "I appreciate you saying it." She nodded slowly, as if understanding that it was a small step in a better direction. I don't know if I can completely forgive her. But for now, I decided to let the silence between us be answer enough.