Christian POV:-

We reached the hospital, I picked the slumbering form of Sophie and took her inside. I gently laid her on the stretcher as the nurse rushed to her side and took her to the emergency ward.

When they went, I took a seat as Tyler left to fill some forms. I was panting heavily, my mind is in a state of havoc. My senses are lost. I couldn't comprehend what's happening.

My hands were trembling, The look of hers kept coming in my mind stirring it intensely. That look of shame when she couldn't meet my gaze- let alone her own. The tremble of her soul, I felt that. The ultimate ravage affecting our minds and taking us to the thick fog of misery- it's painful. I couldn't take this anymore but for her sake, I have to do it and stay strong.

I cursed myself for not being able to save her. I broke my promise to protect her again... Why do I always break my promises? I didn't want her to be hurt anymore. I hate myself for not being by her side, For not saving her. The guilt is eating me up.

My eyes swelled with pain first, tears came out later.

Sweat rolled down from my forehead as my lungs were begging for some air but my devastated state is so messy that I couldn't focus on anything. It's taking my life out of me. Not having enough strength left in me, I waited for the doctor to come out. That's all I could do, for now, I am already late.

I looked at my slightly bloodied hands, devoid. I know I have taken lives and felt nothing about it but this time I feel like the death given to them is not enough. How could they contaminate her? How dare they touch her with their dirty hands, they taint her innocence again and what's lost again can I bring it back? Can I make her feel pure and secure ever again? Do I have enough strength to do it?.... And Merlin, that woman better be prepared for what she has done. She could have at least thought about the fact that Sophie is her biological sister but she is so lost in hatred, she is just like Juliette. I will never forgive her for this, she'll pay dearly for it. I will defile her just because she polluted my Sophie. Just you wait and Watch Merlin Florence.

As I was sitting, Tyler came with a nurse,

"Dude, go and treat those hands of yours." He said. "I'm fine," I said looking away.

"You're gonna touch Sophie with those bloodied hands?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. I looked at him for a second and went with the nurse.

She wrapped the bandage around my knuckles,

"She must be lucky to have a caring husband like you." She said as an involuntary smile was formed on my lips, "It's the other way around. I'm lucky to have her." I stood up and left.

I walked out and leaned on the wall, waiting anxiously to hear about Sophie's condition. Please be alright.

When you become my reason for living? It's not that I am complaining but now I don't want you to go away, I want you to stay by my side. And for that, I'll do whatever I can. I'll twist fate, you are my salvation, I can't let you go away and I know that somewhere in your heart you felt the same for me. The solace I have received from you is giving me an incapability to think about anything but you. Slowly, I changed into what I never was, you made me like this. You are my redemption and after sucking this poison, I was ready to induce the sweet toxic called love but seems like it has to wait.

Just wait, Sophie, I'll give you that much love that you'll forget every pain of yours. I'll make you be with me forever. I'll make you feel that you loved so neither I nor you can live without each other.

Taking a deep breath, I went to Tyler and asked him, "Did you tell Aunt?" I asked. He gave me a nod as I took a seat beside him.

"Tyler... I have decided, I can't let her leave my life. We're gonna be together forever.." I said after taking a deep breath.

"I am glad you finally accept that you need her. But, what if she asked to leave you after knowing everything?" He asked.

"I'll try to talk it out but if she didn't want to be with me I can't force her.. but one thing is sure, my heart, my soul, my love will be hers.. eternally.." I smiled sadly just thinking about that dreadful thought of her leaving me.

"Everything's gonna be fine." He rubbed my back.

"By the way, I don't know what those guys did to her but when I looked at her...." He trailed off, I gave him a questioning look and he continued,

"When you were so lost in beating that guy to death, a faint smile was present on her lips when she looked at you. At a moment she even whispered to you, 'please eliminate this feeling of being defiled again.' And it was admirable that she watched them die, especially how you killed the first one. She witnessed every moment, except when you shot him.. she is really something.." He said.

"She is really brave and strong... It's just me who is a coward and tries to push things away which can become my tranquility."

"But it seems like she removed that facade." I smiled and kept looking down.

"I think you pretty much know what happened, don't you?" I said. I know he is not stupid. He knows the way the world works. He knows it all.

"The very moment I saw her but I don't wanna think about it." He said leaning back. "And yeah, I'll take care of the cops."

"I know you will," I replied.

After a few moments, Aunt came,

"Christian, is Sophie alright?" She asked in a panic. "Aunt Calm down, they have taken her to the emergency ward," I told her as she began to cry.

"Sophie..." She whispered. I hugged her as she began to sob. "It's gonna be okay." I tried to reassure her. She kept crying for a while and then slowly pulled away, "What actually happened?" She asked as I felt my energy being drained from me. What should I tell her? My lips began to quiver, I couldn't tell her. I turned to Tyler and then at mother. "Please tell me.." Aunt said vaguely. She seemed scared by my look and didn't have any strength to tell her.

"She was... kidnapped and was treated very badly... Please don't ask anything else." I said hesitantly. There was a brief pause and the doctor came, we both turned our attention towards her, she walked closer and said to me,

"Mr Elvis, Can I talk to you in private?" Gulping hard in dread, I gave her a nod.

We went to a corner, "Is everything alright?" I asked, afraid. She took a deep breath and began to say,

"Mr Elvis, Your wife is... physically abused. She is really fragile right now. She must be going through severe depression... When she wakes up, please don't do anything that can affect her mind. Make sure to take care of her both emotionally and physically. When she has been through is utterly hard to bear. Pray for her recovery. You understand?" She explained as I felt my soul is crumbling apart.

"Y-Yes. When I can m-meet her?" I stuttered.

"When she will be shifted to the room."

"When?"

"Maybe tomorrow," she said.

"And one more thing I want to ask you, Do you want to report it as a police case? It's a case of sexual assault after all." She asked.

"No, Doctor. I have no intentions of making a show of her contaminated dignity." I said sternly.

"And what about those who did this to her? Don't you want them to be punished?"

"They are taken care of already," I said as she gave me a suspicious look but then nodded and left. I went to Aunt and saw Eugene there too, looking down crying.

"Christian, What did the doctor say?" She asked desperately.

"She said to take care of Sophie and make sure not to give her any stress emotionally and physically," I said.

"Then let's take her back with us when she'll be discharged," Eugene said glaring at me.

"Look what happened when she lived with you. You couldn't even protect her." He hissed and this hit me like an arrow, it drowned me in the pools of guilt.

"She wasn't with me. She was living with her mother." I said monotonously. I am in no mood for arguments.

"What?" He asked looking at Aunt.

"Mother? Why was she.. with you?" he asked.

"I'll tell you about it later." She said looking away. "No, I want to know. Why am I always ignorant of the facts that I should know?" He said sadly. He felt it.

He walked away with Aunt following him behind.

"You sure, you're not gonna tell them?" Tyler asked. I gave him a nod.

"I'll ask Sophie," I said and took a seat again.

I leaned back and put my hand over my face.

I'll obliterate this feeling of disgust from you again. I'll change this toxic relation into a source of eternal rapture. If I have to spend my whole life just to make you feel safe in my arms, just to make you feel loved, I'll gladly do it.

I remained like that and before I knew it, night came, "Aunt and Eugene left... it's late man.. you should go home and eat something." Tyler said putting a hand over my shoulder.

"You should also go," I said.

"I can't leave you like this man. Come, we're going to my place, we'll come in the morning again." He said but I shook my head 'no'.

"Don't be like that. Do you think Sophie will be happy to see you broken?" He tried to reason. I looked at him for a moment and sighed,

"What if she woke up and didn't find me there for her?"

"Even if she woke up, you can't meet her unless they shift her to a room. Come on." He said. I looked at him with a frown.

"At least for her." He tried to convince me and I sighed in defeat.

We went to his home because I don't have enough strength in me to go to my home. I just couldn't bear to go there. How I prepared a surprise for her and now this happened.

We went home and he forced me to eat something by saying for Sophie. And I couldn't help but eat for her sake.

I stare at the ceiling void of any emotions. I was so close to her, so close to becoming one with her. So close...

I am so angry at myself. I wasn't able to protect her. Even being connected to her, I wasn't able to do anything. I am so pathetic. I closed my eyes and began to pray for her.

I continued to pray for her wellbeing and before I knew it, morning came.

I took a glass of juice and went to the hospital. I asked the receptionist about her. She opened her mouth to say something but I heard someone,

"Ah, Mr Elvis, What timing." The doctor smiled and walked closer,

"Looks like your prayers were listened to." She said, I narrowed my eyes and she continued,

"Sophie is fine now. We need you to fill some forms so that we can shift her to a room and you can meet her." She said and a smile crept upon my lips. I grinned as some tears began to fall from my eyes. I quickly wiped them and filled the forms, and paid the fees for her room.

It took two hours for them to shift her to the room. I was tapping my foot on the ground eagerly. I just want to see her. Just a glimpse of her to calm this terrific storm inside me. To listen to her melodious voice which can give me serenity.

"You can go and meet her."

I took a deep breath and stood outside her room. My legs began to tremble as I froze. It's okay, you can do it.

I pushed the door open and saw Sophie sleeping peacefully. A feeling of equanimity filled me by looking at her. I walked closer as my heart constricted looking at her cover in bandages. Her eyes were closed, she was sleeping. I felt so disheartened looking at her like this. This is killing me from inside. I took out my phone and text Aunt and Eugene about it so that they can visit her.

I took a deep breath and sat on the seat beside her. I took her hand in mine and kissed it slightly,

"Sophie... I am so sorry. At last, I suck this poison and some asshole elicits it again. We were finally able to become one and this happened. I am sorry that you have a pathetic husband like me who couldn't even protect you. I am so sorry.." I began to sob.

"Sophie... I couldn't see you broken again. I finally gathered your broken pieces and fixed you; seem like I have to do it again."

"Sophie... I don't know what to say... I don't know what you are feeling about me now but Sophie, I still feel the same for you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to wake up with you beside me, I want you to greet me. We're gonna have breakfast together. I want to prank you. I want to race with you again and again until I win. I want to have you in my arms. I.. want to start... a family with you. I want to grow old with you." I kissed her hand again and continued,

"Sophie.. you have my heart, my soul. I know people I love always leave me behind but even if you leave me, my heart will always be yours. Even if you leave, you'll take me with you. Sophie, I don't know when and how this happened and you become my salvation and I began to feel these things about you that I thought I left behind long ago. Sophie, during these unforeseen events, I've begun to lo-" I was about to confess that I love her but her grip on my hand tightened a little as she tilted her head a little and slowly opened her eyes,

"Christian..." She breathed out. My eyes widened in glee as tears streamed down.

"Sophie.." I began to cry again.

"Don't cry..." She whispered, tightening her grip on my hand.

"I am so glad to see you awake." I sobbed. I put my head on her hand and continued to sob.

"Please.. don't Christian.." She whispered in a croaked voice. I looked at her, I knew If I cried anymore, she'll cry too. I swallowed the lump in my throat and sniffed. I wiped my tears and smiled. I cupped her cheeks slightly, not to touch the bandit on her cheek and avoid touching her lips because of the cut present on it.

She smiled faintly and then her smile faded as she lowered her gaze,

"how.. can you still... want to be with a... broken soul.. like me?" She asked with that same look that made my heart be torn into million pieces.

"Sophie," I called her name firmly and lift her chin to look at me,

"To me, you are still the innocent and pure soul that was born 22 years ago," I said honestly. She let out an empty laugh, "I am anything but pure now. Besides, I'm 21." I leaned in staring deep into those hazel gems that used to be filled with life and now are hollow.

"I will make you feel pure again. And you're 22." She looked at me and for an instant, a glint of desperation and all those agonies she felt was shown in them but they faded away from her the instant I noticed it. As if she wants to say 'please do it' but her lips aren't letting her say it. She doesn't believe in it anymore and that hits me like an arrow.

"Now, you're gonna tell me Eugene is not my twin brother." She joked emptily averting her gaze. He isn't. I decided not to answer.

My heart skipped a beat when I realized that I am holding her chin and my other hand is on the pillow; the left side of her and I was too close to her face. I began to look at her appealing features as the feeling of hurt filled me looking at her like this.

Her fragrance filled my nostrils giving me a feeling of euphoria. It somehow gave me calmness. I got so lost in her that I failed to notice the tears that brimmed in the corner of her eyes as she closed her eyes and whispered,

"Please.. get away.." I was taken back when I heard it. I quickly stumble back. She will not consider herself as a beauty anymore, I can see that. The look on her face was the proof of it but I am determined to save her, to let her know she is not mixed with any impurity or abhorrence. She is beautiful.

"I-I am sorry, S-Sophie. I-I did mean to." I stuttered. Once again, I pulled this stupid act.

"It's okay... it's just.." She said in a barely audible tone before her tears could fall I spoke up.

"Hey, Calm down. Don't worry." I tried to reassure her. I then looked at her with sheer determination as she looked at me with her broken form that lost hopes.

"If I have to live the rest of my life making you feel secure in my arms. Even if my dreams shattered in the way. Even if I bled to death from the thorns present in the path. I will eradicate all this abhor." I promised once again. She just moved her gaze again and didn't reply.

The door knocked and then opened as Aunt and Eugene came,

"Oh my.." Aunt whispered walking close and kissing her hand as tears began to fall from her eyes.

"Sophie, how are you feeling?" Eugene asked.

"fine.." She said feebly. I walked close to her and whispered in her ears so that no one can hear,

"I didn't tell them what actually happened. They just know that you have been kidnapped. It depends on you whether you want to tell them or not." I pulled away and looked at her,

"Okay?" I asked. She gave me a hesitant nod as I pulled away.

"I'll go and see the doctor," I said and left. I then called Tyler,

"Hey, Did Sophie wake up?' He asked.

"Yeah... They shifted her to a room." I replied.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"Taking care of this matter. I'll pay a visit later" He said.

"Okay," I said as I cut the call.

I then went to her nurse in charge of her.

"Nurse, Sophie is awake," I told her.

"I see. I'll tell the Doctor about it." She said and left for the doctor.

I leaned on the wall outside her room and closed my eyes. Should I go inside?

Get away...

Her words made my heart burst from grief. That look is driving me insane. I am just distraught with extreme anxiety and stress. I don't have enough strength in me. Looking at her like this is breaking my every tranquil. Falling deeper in the abyss. I looked at my trembling hand. I have promised to save her but do I have enough strength to do it?

My hands were continuously quivering from the previous confrontation I had with her.

I stayed outside, in a few moments, the doctor came,

"Mr Elvis, Why are you outside? You were dying to meet her and now staying outside your room?" She asked.

"I.. just need some time you think," I said.

"I know it must be hard for you to bear that fact but you have to be strong, for her sake. You have been by her side." She advised, I just nodded and she went inside as I was left alone with my unbearable thoughts.

Save her.. again. Breaking a soul is very easy but saving one is very hard.

You have to do it

You have to do it

You have to do it

You have to save her Christian. No matter how difficult it is. No matter how unbearable it is. You have to... For the future, you ought to achieve... For the life, you desire to live...