In trouble

Marco left the room after telling me everything about my father. The door closed softly behind him, but the weight of his words lingered. I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands clenched into fists, trying to process what I'd just heard.

I felt like a pawn in a game I didn’t understand, could that have been one of the reasons he married me off to Marco? 

I stared at the wall, numb, until my phone buzzed beside me. I glanced down to see Lucan’s name flashing across the screen. 

Shit! How could I have forgotten to give him a call all these while. 

He was my best friend, and he had no idea what I’d been through.

“Lucan?” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Em?” he said immediately, his voice warm and familiar. “Thank God. I’ve been worried sick. I heard something happened. Are you okay?”

I swallowed hard, grateful for the sound of his voice. “I’m okay… I mean, I’m alive. That’s something, right?”

“Emily, what’s going on? Is he treating you right? If he’s hurting you—”

“No,” I cut him off quickly. “No, Marco’s not hurting me. Things are… complicated. But I’m not in danger from him. At least, not right now.”

He was quiet for a moment. “I wish I could see you. I wish I could be there.”

“I know. I wish that too.”

“Listen,” he said firmly, “If you ever feel unsafe. If you ever need anything, anything at all, just call me. I’ll drop everything.”

I smiled faintly, even though tears were threatening to fall. “Thank you. That means more than you know.”

“I love you, Em, always have. Just... stay safe.”

“I love you too, Lu. Take care.”

He hung up, and I placed the phone down slowly. I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to breathe through everything.

The next morning, I got dressed and made my way downstairs. I found Marco in the sitting room, scrolling through something on his phone.

“I want to talk to you,” I said, standing near the door.

He looked up, raising an eyebrow. “About what?”

“I want to go back to work.”

He stared at me for a long time. “what did you say?”

“I said I want to go back to work,” I repeated, trying to keep my voice steady.

He stood slowly, placing the phone down. “Did you not hear a single word I said last night? You are not safe, Emily. You stepping out of this house is like painting a target on your back.”

“I understand,” I said, though I could feel my hands starting to shake. “But I can’t keep hiding. I need to do something normal. I need to take some control back.”

Marco’s jaw clenched. He ran a hand through his hair, pacing once before stopping in front of me. “Do you think this is a joke? That I’m being overprotective for no reason? Your life is in danger. I’m trying to keep you alive.”

“I know that!” I snapped, my voice cracking. “But I can’t just sit here and wait for someone to kill me. I need to do something.”

“Shit Emily.” He yelled as he slammed his hand into the table.

I jumped back, my heart beat increasing. I looked at him, trying not to show my fear. 

He looked at me, he had noticed the way my body trembled even as I tried to stand tall.

His jaw clenched and he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. “If that’s what you want, I’m not going to stop you. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He grabbed his jacket, walked past me, and slammed the door behind him.

I stood there, heart pounding, unsure whether to feel triumphant or terrified.

I looked at the door as I let out the breath I was holding. Marco was furious, and I knew I was in trouble.