Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Elara

Zuriel is driving to the hospital River was taken. I hate that we left our lovely date for this.

‘Are you alright?’ Zuriel asks. I want to answer something acidic but tame my tongue and only nod. As he drives, he places a hand over mine. It seems so innocent, yet it warms my heart. Since when is Zuriel so attentive to my feelings? Does he like me?

My heart is pounding, and I’m sure he can hear it. He can, especially with that smirk he wears on his lips.

‘You keep touching me like this, and I might think you actually like me,’ I say. He stiffens and after a moment says,

‘I don’t dislike you,’

I smile at him. I’d take it. Lately, I’m just taking anything from him. I know it’s not easy for him to be expressive.

We reached the hospital five minutes later, and I dread going inside.

‘Remember, she is vulnerable, please be kind with your words,’

‘Fine,’ I roll my eyes and hop out of the car. I’m about to walk inside when he grabs my waist and pulls me back to him. His face is close to me,

‘Promise me, little princess,’ he says.

‘Promise what?’ my voice comes out in a breathless whisper.

‘Promise you won’t be snarky,’ he says.

‘I’ll try not to be mean,’

‘I’ll take it,’ he pecks me on my lips. I’m stunned. He doesn’t notice how disarmed I am by his action. He grabs my hand and starts to walk. I follow.

‘Oh my goddess!’ Ara screams in my head. I’m red, but Zuriel doesn’t notice. Reaching the reception, a short woman smiles at us warmly.

‘We want to know which room River Snake is in,’ he says. Snake? I grimace at her last name. The woman goes through the computer and then looks up with a smile,

‘The patient is in room 324, on the third floor,’ she answers. We thanked her and made our way there. I exhale once I’m at the door. Zuriel pushes it open. Leban and Miel are there in the room. They get to their feet once they see us and bow.

‘How is she?’ Zuriel asks, his eyes still on his ex. River is lying on the bed. Attached to her arm is an IV. She looks pale.

‘When is she ever not pale?’ Ara snickers.

‘Behave,’

‘The doctors pumped her stomach. It was a close call,’ Leban answers.

‘Who found her?’ I ask.

‘I did, my lady,’ Miel answers as Zuriel goes to the bed, ‘ She asked for soup earlier. When I brought it to her, she was on the bedroom floor. We called an ambulance and brought her here,’

‘You two look tired. You should go home and rest,’ I dismiss the two servants. They nod and leave the room. I stand beside my husband.

‘You must be relieved she’s alright,’ I say.

‘We should go home. I’ll come tomorrow,’ he suddenly says. Just as we turn to leave, we hear a frail voice call.

‘Zuriel,’

Fuck. Since when am I so bitter? However, I made a promise to Zuriel, so I shove down my irritation and smile. She wants to act. I can do it, too. Maybe not as great as her, but I can try.

‘River, how are you feeling, my goddess!’ I say. Even in her state, she can’t hide how shocked she is by my concern.

‘You’re here, too, Princess,’ her voice is weak.

‘Of course, I’m here. You are a guest in my home. I had to come,’ I tell her. Her gaze goes to Zuriel. She looks taken aback by what she sees in his eyes. I turn to look at my husband. He doesn’t look pleased with River. I can’t believe it after the fuss he made about coming here.

‘Did you do it on purpose?’ he asks, his voice cold. Tears roll down her face.

‘I just couldn’t take it anymore,’ she cries. I hold her hand gently, nodding in understanding.

‘But doing this!’ he shouts.

‘Zuriel, enough. We are in a hospital, and she’s unwell. You can’t shout at her like that,’ I say. He looks surprised. I’m impressed by myself.

‘Sorry,’ he mutters, resting his hand on my lower back. His action doesn’t escape River’s eyes. I smirk inwardly.

‘Tell us what happened,’ I ask gently.

‘I was just overwhelmed with my emotions. I thought about the child that I lost and what I endured at the hands of that man. I just wanted it to end,’ she sobs. River has been through difficult times, but she is acting. She wants my husband’s attention. She is prying on his guilt. As soon as she says this, Zuriel’s face falls into one of guilt and anger- His anger is directed at those rogues, not at River.

‘I’m sorry,’ he whispers. River nods and extends her hand towards him. Zuriel hesitates to take her hand, glancing at me first. I don’t react. I don’t know how to. He slowly takes her hand, and she smiles brightly.

‘Zuriel, I’m sorry for what I did tonight. However, I don’t know how to handle my emotions when I feel lonely, or when … I’m sorry to say this when I see you with Princess Elara,’

Fucking bitch. That is how she’s playing it right now? I scoff and press my fingers on my lips.

‘Hey, relax. Think about later,’ Ara says calmly to me. I nod and look at River with sympathy.

‘Well, we are married now, and I understand if seeing us together will hurt you, and I’d hate that so much. That is why I suggest you move to the packhouse,’ my voice is calm. I look up at Zuriel, and he nods in agreement with me.

‘At the packhouse, you’d meet people and socialize. You know, make friends,’ I smile. I didn’t expect the discreet glare she sent my way, but I was smiling, waiting to see if she would find a way out of this.