"The human heart has a surprising number of places for pain to hide." - Haruki Murakami

Saint

The night had been long, filled with fitful sleep and whispered reassurances. Veronica had clung to me like a lifeline, her body trembling even in her sleep. I hadn’t left her side, my own sleep restless and filled with nightmares of what could have happened. Seeing her like that, so vulnerable, so broken… it tore me apart. I knew she needed more than just my presence, but I also knew that pushing her would only cause more damage. She needed time. Time to process, time to heal.

This morning, I’d called her personal nurse, Sarah, explaining the situation without going into details. Sarah was discreet and professional, someone Veronica trusted. I knew she would be gentle, understanding. She arrived early, while Veronica was still asleep, and I ushered her into the bedroom, closing the door softly behind them.

Now, I sat in the living room with Marcus, the silence between us heavy with unspoken worries. I sipped my coffee, the bitter taste mirroring the bitterness in my heart. I hadn’t told him the full story, just that Veronica had been through a traumatic experience and needed some space. He didn’t push for details. He knew me well enough to understand that I would tell him when I was ready.

“How is she?” Marcus asked, his voice low.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “She’s… shaken. Terrified. She wouldn’t go to the hospital. She just… she just wanted to sleep.”

Marcus nodded, his expression grim. “That’s understandable. Trauma… it affects people in different ways.”

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We sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the gentle hum of the refrigerator. I knew Marcus was worried, not just about Veronica, but about me too. He’d seen the changes in me these past few days, the darkness that had settled in my eyes. He knew I was walking a tightrope, balancing on the edge of something dangerous.

“What are you going to do?” he asked finally.

I looked at him, my gaze hard. “I’m going to protect her, Marcus. That’s all I care about. I’m going to make sure she’s safe.” I knew Liam was in the hospital, under guard. Veronica had told me, in broken whispers, what he'd tried to do. He wouldn't get away with it. A part of me wished I could finish what she started, but I knew that wasn't the answer.

A muscle twitched in Marcus’s jaw. He knew what I was thinking.

“Saint,” he said, his voice cautious, “you need to be careful. Don’t… don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

I met his gaze, my eyes cold. “I won’t,” I said. “I’m not going to do anything I’ll regret. I’m just going to make sure that he never hurts her again. That’s all.”

Just then, the bedroom door opened and Sarah emerged, her face grave. She walked over to me, her eyes filled with concern.

“She’s awake,” she said softly. “She’s… she’s okay, physically. But… she’s very fragile. She needs time. She needs support.”

I nodded, my heart aching. “Thank you, Sarah.”

She hesitated, then added, “And Saint… she asked for you.”

I stood up immediately, my chair scraping against the floor. I didn’t need to be told twice. I rushed to the bedroom, my heart pounding in my chest. Veronica needed me. And I would be there for her. No matter what.

I entered the room, closing the door softly behind me. Veronica was sitting up in bed, her eyes red and swollen. She looked so small, so vulnerable. I sat down beside her, taking her hand in mine.

“Hey,” I whispered. “How are you feeling?”

She looked at me, her eyes filled with tears. “Scared,” she whispered back. “Confused.”

I pulled her into my arms, holding her close. “I know,” I murmured. “It’s okay to be scared. I’m here for you.”

We sat in silence for a moment, just holding each other. Then, she pulled back slightly, her eyes searching mine.

“Saint,” she said, her voice trembling, “there’s… there’s something I need to tell you.”

I waited, my heart pounding in my chest.

She took a deep breath, her hand going to her belly. “I’m… I’m pregnant,” she whispered.

The words hit me like a ton of bricks. Pregnant. We were going to have a baby. A wave of emotion washed over me – shock, disbelief, joy, fear… It was all swirling inside me, a chaotic mix of feelings. I looked at her, my eyes searching hers. “Veronica,” I said softly, “are you sure?”

She nodded, tears streaming down her face. “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m sure.”

I took her hand and placed it on my own belly, then gently placed my other hand over hers. “We’re going to get through this,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “We’re going to get through this together.”