004

ARYNA

My eyes flickered open and I find myself in a strange room. I looked around, my brows furrowed in confusion. 

The scent of antiseptic hit my nose, its heavy smell wafting through my nose.

The smell was familiar and now it dawned on me. I was in an hospital.

I felt empty, I felt so dry. My hands trailed down to my tummy and then, the painful memories came rushing in.

How I caught Gina and Ryan having sex on my our matrimonial bed. The way he dragged me out and lastly — theadt straw that broke the camel's back; how Gina pushed me into a running car.

I remembered everything…..the sight of blood. 

No, I shouldn't lose baby. He's….not dead.

A nurse walked in and I sat up.

"What happened to my baby? Is it dead?" I asked, shaking in gear. 

She nodded gravely, a pitiful look on her face. "I'm so sorry about that, ma'am. You were rushed to the hospital by a good Samaritan and we could only save you but you lost the pregnancy before you could arrive here."

I…..I had a miscarriage? No, that couldn't be true.

I gripped the bedsheets, tears welling on my eyes. 

I would never forgive Ryan for this. He and Gina would pay for what they'd done.

The nurse patted my shoulder softly, saying, "you'd be fine, it's just a matter of time for the healing."

A painful chuckle rent out of my lips.

I clutched my tummy, I would never be able to get back my lost baby. How could I ever heal from this pain?

She knew nothing about what I had been going through. She knew nothing about the fierceness I had been thrusted into for three years now.

"I'd go get the doctor to check your vitals and prescribe some drugs then he can decide when you'd be discharged." 

"Thanks." I mumbled, forcing a smile and just as she left the VIP ward, Gina stepped in, a smug smile playing on her venomous lips.

My teeth grinded together in provocation. 

What was she doing here?

"Aren't you satisfied yet? You must be surprised now to find out that I'm still alive." I bickered. She moved closer, hovering over me.

"It's not over yet, Aryna Elfold." She growled, her taunting tongue ready to bicker more. "I'd never stop until you're dead and out of this world."

"You pushed me to the road, yet you lied to Ryan that I committed suicide. You're a devil, Gina." My voice shook with fury as I hissed through clenched teeth, "you would always play to be the victim but I would make sure you and Ryan pay for everything!"

Her lips curled into a sneer as she spat with the words like poison, "You'd never get me, Aryna. You're a puppet and you'd always remain one, no matter what."

My eyes burned with unshed tears but I refused to yield.

"I am no one's puppet!" I growled, my voice rising with every word.

She paced back and forth, her clenched fists trembling. I watched her, eyes widened as she grabbed the glass on the bedside table and smashed it on the wall.

Seconds later, Ryan stormed in, the door banging hard behind hjm. His forehead knitted into a deep frown when he saw me.

He face flushed red with surprise. He must be wondering why I was still alive.

He turned around when Gina fell to the floor at that instant, shedding crocodile tears. 

"What's going on here? Gina!" He gasped, rushing to her side. "What's wrong, you're bleeding!" 

She pointed at me, fake tears streaming down her cheeks, "it's Aryna again, she hurled the glass at me and it pierced my knee."

My breath caught in throat, what a liar!

Ryan stood up abruptly, his nostrils flared as he grabbed my neck.

"Why did you come back to life?" He seethed, "you're here again to taunt my Gina. When will you stop being jealous?"

I winced, almost choking as he tightened his grip on me.

"S….stop this madness.." I muttered in muffled breaths, my voice low.

 He snarled, "I'm going to kill you again!"

I shut my eyes, giving in as I couldn't fight him. His strength was beyond me, it'd be hard.

The next thing I heard were loud groans and when I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar man grabbing Ryan by his collar as he lifted him off the ground.

He was tall and brooding with a retreating figure. 

"What do you think you're doing?" He growled, his teeth gnashing. 

Ryan's brows shot wide. He seemed to recognise him.

"Y...you…" he mentioned, his eyes darting more wild. "What are you doing here?"

"Pick up your thing and leave now!" The stranger growled in command and letting Ryan down, he carried Gina like a princess and walked out but not without rolling his eyes at me.

The stranger turned around, walking closer to me. 

For a fleeting moment, I was stunned by his handsomeness. My eyes trailed down his emerald green eyes, his straight nose and dangerously pink lips.

His broad chest looked exactly like a safe haven, the perfect place to rest and forget all about life's sorrows.

Two of his buttons were undone and when my eyes landed on his tanned body, I gulped down, more astounded.

When he moved closer, I sank more into the bed. He placed his hands at either side of the bed and I was trapped in between his arms.

As he leaned in, I saw a bit of familiarity in his eyes like I knew him from somewhere but I couldn't quite place it.

Maybe it was just a flicker of my imagination.

"Are you okay?" His husky voice drew me out of my thoughts and I cringed as he moved closer. 

Silence. 

Pin drop silence was all that dwelt in the room. I was lost in my own world, his closeness seemed to affect me and I didn't know why.

His face was now an inch apart from mine, his warm breath fanning against my cheek. 

"Why are you silent?" He questioned, his thumb tracing my lips. 

"Uh?" I gasped and he chuckled, standing straight.

He adjusted his suit and cleared his throat, moving backwards.

"W...who are you?" I demanded, stuttering. 

He chuckled, brushing his fingers along his silk arm length black hair. 

"I'm Holland Sinclair, CEO of Indigenous Corp."

My chest tightened, surprise washing over me.

The infamous Holland Sinclair? The man rumoured to have murdered his father?

"Why did you help me?" I asked, my brows furrowed.

His silhouette clicked against the marble floor as he moved closer.

"I don't help without a reason," He said, his arms folded this chest. "I have a deal for you, Aryna Elford."

"W….what deal?" Questioning, I arched my brows at him.

He seemed so mysterious just like the news had painted him and in as much as I didn't want to believe it, the dark glint on the face pushed me towards more confusion.

What did he want from me?

"I can help you get revenge on Ryan Moore but first you have to divorce him and get married to me."