Page 30 of Chained to You (Dark Billionaires 6)

Once he and Nurse Brenda were sure I was fine after another thorough examination, they left me and Andy alone. That was when I moved myself to sit up, and this time, Andy let me. He even helped.

Once I was comfortable, he said, “You look horrible.”

I chuckled in amusement. “Thanks,” I said sarcastically. “Come here and give me a hug. I’ve missed you.”

Andy moved closer, and we hugged tightly. Once I let him go, he said, “I’m phoning Mr. Maxwell to tell him what happened.”

I frowned in confusion. “What happened? You mean you’re going to tell James just because I fainted a little?”

He nodded. “He needs to know. You’re in a fragile condition, and he needs to know that. He’s your boyfriend, isn’t he?”

I blushed. “Yes, of course, but seriously, Andy, it’s nothing. There’s no need to tell James. I was probably just… you know… anemic or something…”

Then again, I knew for certain that wasn’t the case. My full blood count was fine and within the normal range yesterday. This fainting episode was simply because… Herbert Weston… The memories of him just kind of…

Shit! My head was pounding like mad.

I raised my eyes to my brother and asked weakly, “Can you please pass me those painkillers? I have such a bad headache.”

“Err… sure,” Andy said, looking around him for the pills. Once he spotted them, he reached out for the tablets sitting on the bedside table where the nurse had left them for me. “Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked as he handed me the pills.

I nodded. “I’m fine. Just a headache.” And this particular headache had absolutely nothing to do with the memories of Herbert Weston and the trauma he’d inflicted upon me.

As I took the medication, I didn’t miss the fact that Andy was watching me closely. God, he seemed so worried about me.

Once I was done, I gave him a bright smile to reassure him I was fine and he needn’t be so concern about me.

“I’m fine. Now, I’m sorry I can’t entertain you because I feel absolutely exhausted. I’m going to sleep it off, both the exhaust

ion and the headache.”

Andy nodded. “Go for it.” He leaned forward and kissed me on the forehead. “Have sweet dreams. I’ll just be out around town, and I’ll tell the nurse to contact me if you need me, all right?”

I nodded, but before he left, I asked, “Andy?”

He turned. “Hm?”

“Don’t tell James about me fainting, okay? I don’t want to worry him.”

Andy sighed and looked heavenward. “Fine. I won’t. Now go to sleep and get better. You’d better be smiling bright like fucking sunshine when I’m back.”

I chuckled. Was that a threat?

“See you soon, Andy,” I said.

“Yeah, see you soon,” he said, and then he was gone, shutting the door behind him.

Alone, I made myself comfortable in bed and closed my eyes, my mind relentlessly replaying the scenes of Herbert Weston kidnapping me and beating me. I allowed the memories of the horrendous episode to swirl free in my mind, letting them take over.

I too allowed my emotions to run wild, to feel the fear, anger, and distress that had taken over me at the time of my kidnapping. I wanted to confront them—my emotions, Herbert Weston, Sophie Wilson, the kidnapping, and the beating, molestation, and bullying. I wanted them all to clash and fight one another within me until they were sated, until I was sated and emerged the winner.

As tears flowed down my cheeks and emotions turmoiled within my being, I slowly fell into a deep slumber, the images of Herbert Weston and what he had done to me fading into a dark abyss, where they belonged.

Chapter 14

Mia

When I woke again, I felt a lot better. The headache was gone, as was the exhaustion.

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