Chapter Fifty-Two

Alina’s POV

“And she lives” Those were the first words that rolled out of Sebastian’s mother’s lips once Sebastian pushed me in through the door and let it slam behind him.

I winced at the sound as I looked around.

His parents and sister’s faces held no love, not even a hint of affection. In fact, they just looked like they’d seen better days.

They made it clear as usual that I wasn't welcome and I didn't want to be.

“Very generous of you, Mother” Sebastian’s voice reeked of sarcasm as he leaned down with a sneer. “You really think I would give up my wife?”

I cringed away from his sneer. “Sebastian…” I tried to reach out for his hand but he moved his body away from mine, so I gave up and slumped my hands against my sides instead.

The room was so cold I could see my breath as his mother continued, “You might have had your pick of the women in town. But then, I suppose, there’s always one who isn’t worthy of being yours.”

Sebastian stood still for a moment before saying, in a very low tone, “Don’t talk about her like that. She deserves a lot more respect and she's been through a lot already.”

“I would care even if she died” Sebastian’s sister added and I felt an overwhelming desire to go hide.

“Says the alcoholic” I retorted. I thought I had said it in my head but with the way everyone froze, it was obvious that wasn't what I had done .

It took a long time for his mother to respond, “Excuse me?”

But Sebastian was already pushing me towards the stairs.

He lifted me off the wheel and carried me in bridal style upstairs, setting me down only when we got to our room.

“Our” it felt almost lovely rolling down my tongue.

“Just wait here.” He muttered and disappeared downstairs.

I waited. Did I have a choice?

He returned shortly after, and this time he was with my wheel chair.

“Don't let my parents get to you, we will be out of here before you know it” Sebastian assured me as he sat himself down beside me.

“I know. Can I talk to Clara?” My heart skipped a beat with worry as I thought over how much Clara must be putting in and how worried she must have been.

“No, Alina. We are only going to focus on you getting better. Work can come later” He explained with a look that meant there'd be no room for argument.

My eyes dropped to my lap. “Okay.” I mumbled

The best decision I made was to leave that hospital. My mental state adjusted well enough by then that I knew exactly where I wanted to go now. The voices in my head also seemed to agree and it felt good for them to quiet. They weren't bothering me so much anymore. And finally, Sebastian and I moved.

This new space was bigger. Quieter. Kinder. Away from the wrath of Sebastian’s parents.

Sebastian started teaching me how to use the wheelchair so I wouldn't end up in front of a door, bumping into walls. I loved this new place and every day was a fresh start for me.

But there was a nagging in my heart, my job, my grandfather, Victor.

Everywhere I looked, my mind flashed back to Victor . Back to the way he looked as I stood reeking of fear. It was like his image was imprinted on the inside of my eyelids whenever I closed my eyes. I couldn’t stop watching it.

I tried everything I could think of to forget, but nothing worked.

Something happened during the weekend when Sebastian took me to eat. There was a man sat away from us, he looked to be in his late thirties or early forties but there was something about him that seemed old, ancient, tired, and drained. I had seen him watching us- not us rather, watching Sebastian .

His eyes were boring into Sebastian’s who had his back turned toward this man and when he caught me watching him, he smiled.

It was a weird smile that felt very familiar to me. But I couldn't quite put my finger on why. It was new yet old at the same time. There was something about it that made me uneasy and the hairs on my arms rose in response to its presence.

I looked away shivering.

“Are you cold?” Sebastian asked as he took notice of my unease.

“Not really.” I shrugged.

“Are you alright?” He looked concerned for a split second before I nodded and he smiled back.

I leaned in closely, I don't know why I did it but it felt like an irresistible urge “Do you know that man” I whispered in his ear “The one staring at us?” I didn't know if I had actually heard anything in my head or just imagined it. But I hoped it was real.

Sebastian looked over in the direction that I secretly motioned in “No” He didn't even stare at the man for long . That bothered me. “Why do you ask?”

Before I could answer, the man had stood and walked away.

“I don't know, I just thought there was something strangely familiar about him” I admitted. Maybe it was a little weird to compare someone who had never given me any type of reaction to someone who had stared at me with intense intensity earlier, but it was probably just my imagination.

That night when we got back home, I let my mind wander from the events from that day while Sebastian made dinner, wondering if the man who had watched me earlier was the reason I felt uncomfortable. I had been thinking about him since then though, even more than usual.

At night, I had nightmares of being chased down the sidewalk, being beaten, crying. Screaming. It sounded like it was coming from some kind of movie. Not real life. In those dreams, I always woke up screaming, covered in sweat and covered in blood. I felt like I was in physical pain, I wanted to cry.

The dreams scared me, terrified me.