Page 6 of Her Sweet Surrender
I guess it may have been the aftereffects of alcohol, but I lashed out. Whatever the case, I made the girl cry when I told her Mother would never recover because she’s already dead. I didn’t care that she refused to speak to me for the rest of the day. I needed time alone to recover.
That’s when the dreams started. I was awakened repeatedly by nightmares littered with disturbing images and unholy screams. It’s been two days, and I’ve still been unable to rest—and the shaking won’t stop.
Lilly is overly concerned and has become highly attentive, trying to force herbal remedies and local soups down my throat. It grates on my nerves and I keep sending her away.
I want no one near me but you. However, I don’t trust myself.
Babygirl, I seriously don’t know what’s wrong with me. I feel as if I have entered a black hole I won’t return from…
Recalling those last words still gave Brie goosebumps.
They now knew Lilly had accidentally given him an overdose, which almost killed him. However, Sir had had no idea he’d been drugged at the time. Brie could only imagine the horrors he experienced while he faced hallucinations he thought were real.
“How are you handling this, Sir?”
He shook his head, frowning. “It doesn’t matter.”
Brie reached up and caressed his clenched jaw. “It matters to me.”
“Protecting you is the only thing that matters, babygirl.”
She gazed deep into his eyes. “I’m not the only one who was hurt by Lilly.”
Sir’s frown deepened. “I’d rather not talk about it. It only stirs up memories that are best left in the past.”
“But, Sir…” Brie began softly.
He glanced at her, saying nothing as he continued to bounce Hope on his knee.
She understood he wanted her to drop it, but she knew it was eating him up inside. “Holding all those feelings and memories in will only hurt you in the end.” She added in a gentle voice, “Don’t let Lilly have that kind of power over us.”
Sir growled under his breath. “I have never been in a darker state of mind than I was in China.”
Brie shivered, remembering how different he’d been when she arrived—so cold and remote, almost heartless.
“Even though I realize now the horrors I experienced were drug-induced, I haven’t been able to forget them. At the time, it caused me to question everything about myself—and you.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “I hardly recognized you when I arrived.”
“I…” Sir closed his eyes, his voice tinged with anger and guilt. “I’m sorry for the way I treated you.”
Although Brie had been hurt at the time, she felt overwhelming compassion for him now. “I didn’t understand what was wrong, but I never doubted we would work through it.”
“Always faithful,” he stated with a sad smile.
“I’m completely devoted to you.”
Sir stared at her, his gaze intense and unreadable. “I hope it doesn’t become your undoing, babygirl.”
“It won’t,” she assured him, but she could feel the intensity of his rage growing inside him.
Sir’s lips curled into a snarl. “To be grossly manipulated like that by my own sister makes my skin crawl.”
Brie shuddered. “I hate that she did that to you.”
Sir turned away from Brie, stating in a far-off voice, “Not knowing what really happened still haunts me to this day. The screams. I will never forget the horrifying screams.” His voice caught when he added, “I think they were mine.”
A chill coursed down Brie’s spine. She squeezed him tightly wishing she could turn back time and prevent Lilly from ever hurting him. “I’m so sorry, Sir.”
