Guilt

Bella woke up with a heavy weight in her chest. Her thoughts immediately drifted to Damon, not Lucas, her husband, who was fighting for his life in the hospital. She felt like the worst kind of person. The maid cracked the door open and peeked in.

“Good morning, Ms. Jackson. I’ve brought you some clothes and necessities,” she said, walking in with a few bags.

“Thank you. Where’s this from?” Bella asked, her voice flat.

“Mr. Jackson ordered them for you,” the maid replied before slipping out.

Bella dragged herself into the shower, but the water did little to wash away the guilt swirling in her head.

A knock came at the door, and Damon stepped in. He heard the shower running, walked to the bathroom, and glanced inside. It took every ounce of his self-control not to join her. Instead, he turned and sat on the bed, waiting.

She emerged in a robe, her hair dripping, and froze when she saw him.

“Good morning,” moving closer.

“Good morning,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

He stared at her, making her shift uncomfortably. He took another step. “Bella, get dressed and go see your husband,” turning to leave.

“You’re a coward,” she muttered.

He stopped dead in his tracks, spun around, and closed the distance between them like a storm. Bella backed up until she hit the wall.

“Say it again,” he growled, his hand gripping her neck.

“Do it, Damon,” she whispered. “Kill me.”

He kissed her roughly, his hand dropping from her neck to tug at her robe. His mouth moved hungrily down her neck before he suddenly stopped, resting his forehead against hers.

“What are you doing to me?” he breathed. “Why are you doing this?”

“I’m leaving. I’ll find a place until Lucas is out of the hospital,” she said.

“No. Until I find out who did this, you’re staying here,” he demanded.

She pushed him away. “No, I can’t be here.”

“Woman, you’re going to listen to me, or else…”

“Or else what?” she snapped, stepping into his space. “You’re going to keep me prisoner?”

"You’re family, Bella. My brother’s wife" Damon mumbled, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "And you’re standing here like you don’t give a damn about him."

"I don’t feel anything for him, and you know it," she shot back, her voice quiet but sharp.

Damon’s fist slammed into the wall beside her head, the impact echoing through the room. She flinched but didn’t look away. He was unraveling, the control he clung to slipping away, and she could see it in the way his jaw tightened, the way his chest heaved like he was holding back a storm.

"Just want you safe," his voice low, almost pleading. "Please. Come back."

She opened her eyes, and he looked wrecked, like he was drowning and couldn’t find the surface. He pulled her into him, his arms wrapping around her tightly, and she finally broke, tears streaming down her face.

"Don’t shut me out," she said, his voice rough. "Just… don’t do that. That’s all I’m asking."

"Okay," he whispered. "I’ll try."

A sharp knock at the door made them both jump. She quickly stepped away, disappearing into the bathroom while Damon straightened, his usual mask sliding back into place.

"What?" he barked as the door opened, revealing Rafael.

"Boss, we caught a couple of them. You were right, they’re from the Patriarca family," Rafael said, his tone urgent.

Damon cursed under his breath. "Rafael, make sure she’s guarded at all times. No mistakes."

Bella dressed in the clothes Damon had ordered and headed out. The driver waiting for her was enormous, a mountain of a man who somehow folded himself into the driver's seat. After parking at the hospital, he fell into step behind her.

"What are you doing?" she asked, turning to face him.

"Orders. Not to let you out of my sight. Just doing my job, Ms. Jackson."

"I work here. How am I going to explain it to you? And you are...?"

"Bulldog," he said with a straight face. "And don't worry, I'll be invisible."

She bit back a laugh. This giant claiming invisibility was absurd.

The ICU staff nodded as she passed. She donned the required mask and gown before entering Lucas's room. He lay there, pale and fragile against the white sheets, machines beeping steadily. Dr. Enzel entered, clipboard in hand.

"Mrs. Jackson. How are you holding up?"

"Just got married, and then... this."

"I'm sorry. The good news is he's stabilized. He's out of immediate danger. If you have questions, you know where to find me."

She took Lucas's limp hand, guilt washing over her. This man was legally her husband, yet all she could think about was Damon.

Later, as she headed for the elevators, Bulldog materialized beside her.

"Seriously? Are you some kind of wizard, appearing out of nowhere?"

He chuckled. "Ms. Jackson, you're funny."

"Where are we going?" she asked as they left the hospital.

"Mr. Jackson's request. Just following orders."

Twenty minutes later, he turned onto a dirt road cutting through dense forest. A chill ran down her spine. Had Damon changed his mind? Was this where she'd disappear forever?