Page 85 of Ruined By Protection
He steps back, opening a gulf between us. "I respect your wishes, Hazel. You won't have to worry about me complicating your life anymore."
The coldly formal tone cuts deeper than anger would have. I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly shivery despite the warmth of the room.
"Thank you," I whisper.
Matteo moves to the door, his stride stiff and controlled. He pauses with his hand on the doorknob, keeping his back to me.
"For what it's worth," he says without turning around, "I would never have hurt you."
I open my mouth to respond but he's gone, the door closing with a soft click that somehow sounds more final than if he'd slammed it.
I pick up the burner phone and scroll to Mom's number. I need to hear her voice, to comfort myself in something familiar.
She answers on the third ring. "Hello?"
"Mom, it's me." I keep my voice low, though I know Matteo is gone.
"Hazel! I'm so glad to hear you sweetie." Relief floods her voice.
I swallow hard. "How's Dad doing?"
She hesitates and my stomach drops. "He's okay. Elliott... called yesterday saying there might be some issues with the insurance coverage for his next procedure."
Of course he did. I press my fingertips against my closed eyelids. Mom continues tentatively; “It’s just that this procedure…it’s the one that he really needs…that might just fix his back at last.”
I’m silent for a long moment, working out what to tell her. "He's trying to get to me, control me through you, Mom. I'm working with a lawyer. We'll figure something out."
"Don't you worry about us," Mom says, though I can hear the worry in her voice. "We'll be fine. Your father would rather lose his treatments than know you're being hurt."
"I know, Mom. I just—" My phone beeps with another call. I pull it away from my ear to check the screen. "It's Evelyn. I should take this."
"Okay, honey. Call me soon. We love you."
"Love you too, Mom." I hang up and switch to Evelyn's call. "Hey, Ev."
"Hello, Hazel."
The blood freezes in my veins. It's not Evelyn's voice.
"Elliott." His name escapes my lips in a horrified whisper.
"Thereshe is." His voice is smooth, pleasant even. The same voice that charmed my parents, my friends. The same voice that would whisper apologies after leaving bruises on my skin. "My runaway wife. I’ve been looking everywhere for you darling."
I can't breathe. My fingers go numb around the phone.
"Nothing to say, darling?" Elliott's tone remains light, conversational. "After all the trouble you've caused me?"
My brain kicks into survival mode. I need to keep him talking. I need to get help.
I move toward the door on shaky legs. "You hurt me, Elliott." I keep my voice quiet, trembling. Not difficult to fake with the terror coursing through my veins.
"I disciplined you," he corrects, as if explaining to a child. "There's a difference."
I open the bedroom door as silently as possible, stepping into the hallway. "I couldn't take it anymore. The bruises, the domination, the cameras watching my every move."
"You're being dramatic as usual." His sigh sounds genuinely disappointed. "I only installed the surveillance because you can't be trusted to make good decisions. Look at where you are now."
I scan the hallway, desperate for anyone. The mansion feels vast and empty. I start walking toward the stairs, keeping my footsteps light.
