READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 7: Pulled into the Darkness
Alexandria Pov.
The night was cold and silent. The only sound was the faint rustling falls of leaves outside the penthouse. The moonlight spilled into the room casting a long shadow on the floor. While everywhere was calm and serene, I tossed in my sleep, my brows furrowed in the grip of a dream that pulled me back to a time I would never have forgotten, a memory so vivid it felt like it was happening all over again. I was tired from the constant business trips and wanted nothing but a quiet time to rest but that did not happen. My flight had barely touched the ground when I descended to find Ian pacing around like a lost shepherd.
"She is gone" his words flat out. I massaged my tensed temples and panic took all of me. ¬How could she be gone when more than ten skilled shadow guards were protecting her?¬ I pounder, my mind was going wild by the second but now was not the time to allocate blame. "When was she last seen?" I asked, passing my suitcase over to my panicking assistant while my hands typed fast on the phone keyboard.
"The Mansfield mansion¬ Alex I think you should know something" Ian stated. I was in no time to play so I waved him away dismissively. "We have to find her dead or alive. I want to see her, "I instructed but Ian couldn't hold back his tongue.
"She was taken by men hired to kill her. Samantha is behind it all" Every word made my body shiver, cold suddenly taking over me in the hot afternoon.
"Her younger sister? The one she loves most?" Ian nodded and I could only let a dry laugh roll. I couldn't have seen this coming. Everything was happening so fast. One minute she was the happiest and the other she looked like something who just walked out of a horror movie theater. My breathing is even but my body is far from calm. How could this be? I had a thousand questions but with no answers.
"Fine her and.." my voice couldn't come out more. I felt choked, everything was a blur and the seconds rolled by quicker than I had anticipated. Standing on the penthouse balcony I could only wish something could be done before it was too late. The night had long settled and claimed territory over the land but there was no calm within me, not when her life hung by the robe and I couldn't do anything about it. I pace forward, calling everyone I could. My phone soon beeped and I watched Ian's name appear as the caller id.
"Yes hello" I quickly picked up without delay. "We found her, but I think you should see this" his words rang in my ears like they were reliving but it carried pain. She was either gone or halfway towards the other world but not under my watch. She can't die without my permission, she can't die without me and she can't die for their doing.
"Spill it" I breathe heavily listening to every word. "She is half dead and Samantha came to bid her farewell. Should we do away with her or¬" I laugh. Of Course, the brat came to supervise her work. "No.. what's the hurry? Ash should be there to watch her crumble. Take her to the clinic, and I will meet you there" I don't know if it was my madness or the pain but I drove faster than a raging bull. The forest was cold and the night birds quiet as if aware of my inward battle. Every step on the brakes sent my heart racing.
"She can't die. Not now, Ash. You can't leave me just yet; I refuse to let you go," I whispered to myself countless times. Soon, I saw the underground clearing come into view. I drove the car into the secret parking lot and headed downward underground. The nurses were ready, and without delay, we all commenced.
He had one job and that was to make her happy, she was never to cry under his watch, he was to be the one to adorn her with the goodies and make her comfortable but here she was lying on the cold slap barely grabbing on to the leftover of life thrown at her. This was it, the line had been crossed now he had to pay for everything, for stealing her and for making her cry. Every drop of tears will be accounted for.
Watching her dance between life and death broke me every time the machine sent a beeping message. She was so lively yet see where that got her. He had to protect her, take care of her, and not choose his mistress over her. She was the happiest bride I could remember, her smile knowing no bonds but now it all faded, into something pale and cold. Her smile is unseen and her thin lips firmly pressed against the invading tube.
Viciously the machine beeped and I turned and there her heart rate sank, her hands slumped against mine and the nurses all turned to me. She was gone, I knew she was, we all knew it but I couldn't live without her.
"Start all over, we can't lose her" I backed at the nurses as they stayed rooted to their position. I was a doctor, I knew too well she couldn't make it at how badly she was wounded but no, the hands of death can take anyone but her. "She can't die on me…Ashley Mansfield I refuse to let you cross" I pressed hard on her chest aggressively performing CPR, it went on for a while and I soon lost track of time.
I was a mess and despite the nurse's and doctors' pleas I did not stop, I dare not for my life was lying on the table cold and still. How could I stop? It felt like an eternity but the machine soon beeped, and there she was back, sent back to me. Her honey-brown eyes opened, staring at me.
"You will be trained, molded, and shaped into something that might one day be worth the price I just paid for saving your life. You may think you've seen cruelty but you know nothing of true suffering. Your life is mine to decide and to keep. You are to obey without questions. Failure is not an option." I let out my frustration, pain and love all at once.
"Listen up carefully¬ I am Alexandria Hale, your benefactor, your owner, and your worst nightmare. You are now married to me, here in the Hale household you are no longer who you used to be but what I want you to be. Your past life, your name, your identity none matter to me. Obedience is the first and most important rule, the Hale mansion may look like a place of luxury but it is a prison and you are its prisoner¬ Welcome to hell, Mrs. Ashley Hale"
Just as the last words fell off my lips, I woke up sweaty. My heart was pounding and my chest tightened with a mixture of hate, longing, and sorrow. I held on to the duvet squeezing it tight. I was now used to the night terrors but not the pain it reminded me of. The pain of almost losing the one dearest to me, the pain of watching her die before my very own eyes. "I will make them pay, that I promise you, Ash"