Chapter 6 All Men Are Trash.

Damien reacted at the very last second, catching Bellatrix's body before it hit the ground.

He knelt down, his hands moving to grip her shoulders. "Hey!" He shook her gently. "What's wrong? Bellatrix, what's wrong?"

Despite his questioning, no answer came. Her eyes remained closed, her breathing erratic, yet, her body still.

And then, he felt it, the faintest sensation of something warm and wet seeping through his fingers as he cradled her cheek.

Blood.

His eyes widened the moment he saw it and his instincts kicked in. Without hesitation, he lifted her, carrying her bridal style as he rushed towards his car.

The drive to the nearest hospital was a blur, and when they arrived, he wasted no time in getting Bellatrix attended to.

As he watched as she was rolled into the operating room, his eyes drifted down to his fingers that were stained red. The moment she had collapsed replayed in his mind. It had spun him into a chaos he hadn’t ever prepared for.

What happened? Why had she suddenly collapsed? Was she sick?

Questions bombarded his mind for the next hour before the door to the O.R opened and the doctor walked out.

Behind him, Bellatrix was being wheeled out, but rather than following after her, Damien immediately approached the doctor.

"How is she?"

“Are you family?” The doctor asked.

Damien hesitated for a few seconds before giving a befitting answer. “I'm a close friend of hers.”

“I see. Well, Miss Lancaster’s condition is stable now, however, she suffered some complications due to the issue with her heart." He informed.

"Complications with her heart?" Damien asked, confused.

The doctor nodded. "Yes. From her medical records, it seems like Miss Lancaster has stage two cancer."

"Stage two cancer..." Damien muttered, surprised.

The doctor sighed heavily, shaking his head. "Honestly, her current condition isn't the best. In the future, it's advisable that she doesn't undergo this type of stress." He advised.

After a few more minutes of listening to his words, Damien was given permission to go see Bellatrix. As he walked into her hospital room, his gaze landed on her unconscious form in the hospital bed.

Her color had returned a bit and now she looked as if she were merely sleeping, but the blood stain on the sleeve of his shirt, a reminder of what had just occurred, left him feeling a bit restless.

Now, standing by the side of her bed, Damien could only but stare down at her with narrowed eyes as he wondered what had made her—the girl everyone had admired back then—choose such a miserable fate?

~•~•~•~

Bellatrix wasn't sure how long had passed, but when she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a familiar golden-green pair, staring at her.

It took her a while to gather her bearings, and even longer to recall how she had ended up in a hospital.

"You're finally awake." Damien said, uncrossing his legs as he stood up and came to stand by the side of her bed. "How are you feeling?"

Bellatrix blinked once, twice, then a third time, but she didn’t speak. Slowly, she pushed herself into a sitting position, and her eyes scanned the room, seemingly looking for something.

"What are you doing?" Damien asked as he watched her, confused for a heartbeat—until he understood.

"Are you by any chance looking for this?" Dipping his hand into the pocket of his coat, he pulled out a brown envelope, as he continued, "The contract's right there."

The moment her eyes fell on the brown folder, a sense of relief washed over her. When he offered it to her, Bellatrix did not hesitate to snatch it out of his hand and open it.

Just as desperately, her eyes scanned the paper and her eyes softened the moment they landed on Damien’s signature.

The man in particular, folded his arms and spoke softly as he watched her. “I said I’d give it to you. I’m not the kind of man that goes back on his word.”

Bellatrix nodded and flashes him a smile, this one more kinder and softer—genuine—than anyone he had gotten all day long.

“Thank you,” She said, after which she let out a breath of relief and sank back into the pillows, closing her eyes as she tried her best to calm the worry that had been growing in her heart ever since she had woken up.

When she opened her eyes again, Damien was still staring at her, watching her with an unreadable expression on his face.

Then, he spoke. "You know, I'm willing to help you. No matter what it is you need, I'm willing to help you, as long as you ask."

His words surprised her. They weren't expected.

For a moment, Bellatrix was silent, then, forcing a smile, she replied. "A kind offer, Damien. Thank you, but I can handle my own problems."

For the second time in one day, Bellatrix's answer surprised Damien. He stared at her for a few moments, a slight frown maring his handsome features, before he could even think to speak, Bellatrix added.

"However, there is one thing I ask of you. Please keep what happened to me today a secret from Cillian."

Huh?

Damien frowned the moment he heard this. However, before he could respond, the door flew open and Avery stormed in, her expression furious.

Her eyes immediately landed on Bellatrix, then narrowed as she saw the IV drip and the colorless hue of her skin.

“You reckless idiot!” she snapped, matching closer like she was ready to smack some sense into her friend. “What the hell did I warn you about taking care of your health?" She scolded.

"Avery," Bellatrix managed a smile. "I'm fine. It’s nothing much.”

"Nothing much?!" She exclaimed, smacking her arm, to which Bellatrix winced gently. "Lie to me like that again, and I'd smack you harder!" After saying this, she suddenly sucked in a breath and swore. "That bastard Cillian. I've just about had enough of his nonsense. I think it's time someone taught him a good lesson.”

Turning, she was about to storm out of the room when Bellatrix reached out, gripping her wrist.

“Don't do this, Avery,” she said firmly. “I don’t want any of that. I just want this divorce over with. Quietly. No drama. No more entanglements, so please, level him alone.”

"But—" She tried to object, but Bellatrix interrupted her, shaking her head.

"Please, Avery."

Scowling, she finally relented, abandoning the idea with a grumble. Then, as if suddenly sensing his presence, her gaze shifted to Damien and her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing him with suspicion.

“And you are?”

“Damien Walker,” he answered simply, taking a step forward and offering his hand for a handshake.

Avery's gaze fleeted in the direction of his outstretched hand for a second before she crossed her arms, a subtle glare adorning her face.

“Hmph. I see you've picked up another trash, Bella.” She scoffed, earning herself a look from her friend.

Damien however, simply chuckled. "Trash?"

"Yeah, trash," Avery answered head on, flashing a smile that looked anything but friendly. "As long as he's a man, he's trash."

“I’m an exception,” he replied and grinned, not in the slightest bit fazed by her hostility.

"An exception?" Avery questioned and then without hesitation, she matched up to him, lifted her hand and placed a finger right under his nose.

A beat of silence went by, then she declared, “You're breathing, as long as he’s breathing, he's trash.”

Damien was silent for a few seconds, then he chuckled. "Oh? That's interesting." He said, raising an amused brow.

Behind them, Bellatrix sighed and rubbed her temple. Ignoring their little exchange, she turned and grabbed her phone off the nightstand.

She needed to let Cillian know that she had secured the contract. That way, he could fund her father's company as soon as possible.

However, as she pressed the power button and the screen didn't come on, she realized her phone was dead.

Ha! How fucking perfect. Now, not only could she not contact Cillian, but she also didn't have any means of getting home.

As if sensing her frustration, Avery turned away from Damien, her expression changing completely as she looked at her friend.

"Bella, do you need anything?"

Bellatrix parted her lips to speak, but then, her eyes fell on Damien and she got an idea. "Damien, could you drive me home, please?”

Damien's gaze lingered on her for a few seconds, then he gave a slight nod. "Of course. "

"Of course not!" Avery was quick to object. "If you need to go anywhere, I'll take you. There's no way I'm allowing this—" Before she could finish her words, her phone began to ring, interrupting her.

She glanced at the caller ID, cursed under her breath, and groaned as she answered it.

A minute went by and Bellatrix heard her sigh in frustration. A second later, Avery turned to face her. "I have to go." She informed regretfully and glanced at Damien. "This once, I'll allow it. But I’m calling every hour, Bellatrix. Every damn hour.”

Bellatrix gave her a faint smile. “Of course. Bye Avery.”

With a huff, the blonde left, but not without throwing one last suspicious glance over her shoulder at Damien.

As soon as she was gone, he turned to face Bellatrix.

"Then, shall we?" He asked and without hesitation, she nodded.

~•~•~•~

The drive to the Laurente estate was mostly silent. Bellatrix stared out the window, her thoughts a whirlwind of memories, regrets, and decisions she could never undo. Damien stole glances at her ever so often, but kept quiet.

When they pulled into the circular driveway, Damien was the first to step out, moving to her side and opening the door for her. “We’re here,” he said.

“Thank you… for the ride,” Bellatrix said, attempting a graceful exit.

But as she placed one foot on the ground, her balance betrayed her. Her knees buckled and the world tilted for a heartbeat—but Damien was there, catching her before she could fall.

His arms wrapped around her instinctively, steadying her against his chest.

“Easy there. You’re pushing too hard,” he said under his breath, his voice low and close.

Bellatrix looked up and met his gaze almost immediately. Her lips parted but before she could respond, a deep, furious voice sliced through the air.

“What the hell is going on here?”