Lorena
His questions unsettled me, because he was right. I'd gotten the contraceptive implant to avoid getting pregnant, because I didn't want a child in my situation. I worked nonstop, and if I stopped, I'd starve relying on Jorge. But how was I supposed to work with a baby?
"With me, you won't have to worry about anything. I'll buy you a hospital, and you'll own it—you'll run the whole thing. You won't have to work, or you can if you want, but it'll be your choice, not an obligation."
"I saved your life. Why did you do this to me?"
"I'm returning the favor. I'm saving yours—from a miserable existence."
"Then you won't touch me, right? Because you could help me in other ways without forcing me to be with you."
"You still don't understand, do you, Lorena? You're mine. That deadbeat only had you on loan. I paid him a million and a half, and he vanished. No amount of money will ever buy you from me. As soon as the divorce goes through, we'll get married and have the perfect family."
He leaned in to kiss me again, but I turned my face, and he pressed a lingering kiss to my cheek. He pulled back, took my hand, and led me to the massive window overlooking his empire below. Dozens of gaming tables, rows of machines, people gambling everywhere. I breathed in and let the air out slowly, because I'd already realized there was no escape. He was never going to let me leave this place.
"When morning comes, we'll go to a store and you can buy whatever you want. The whole store, if you like. And at night, I'll take you to the hospital for your shift." I looked at him, confused.
"You'll let me keep working?"
"Of course. Unless you don't like your job."
"I do." He gave me a smile and turned back to the window. "So I won't be your prisoner?"
"Absolutely not. You'll be my wife. But there's one thing—if you try to run from me at the hospital, things will change. You'll go from doing everything alone to doing it with my men shadowing you. I don't think you'd like that, because I have eyes everywhere. Wherever you go, I'll find you and bring you back, as many times as it takes, until you understand that your place is by my side now."
In other words, he was giving me a false freedom, because I was sure that even from a distance, I'd be watched at the hospital. Ravi took my hand again and led me downstairs to the main floor. He started introducing me to people as his fiancee. Everyone greeted me. People I'd never seen in my life.
Some of the women didn't seem to like the idea much and whispered among themselves. But the respect he commanded from everyone there was undeniable. Ravi spoke softly, courteously, politely—but with obvious enthusiasm at presenting me to his world.
All I wanted right now was my warm bed to sleep in, not to be paraded through a crowd. He noticed my exhaustion and took me back up to his office. He opened a side door and waved me inside. When I stepped through, I found a bedroom in black and white tones—sleek, stylish, and pleasantly scented.
"Sleep as long as you need, my fiancee. When you wake up, we'll have breakfast and go shopping, because you're not bringing anything from your old house. Everything you own from now on will be new, just like your new life."
"I need to go there to get my documents and my study materials. I have personal things to pick up."
"I'll go with you if necessary, but you're not bringing anything besides the documents. Understood?"
I nodded without arguing. I'd already figured out that he liked things his way. I didn't even want to know how he'd behave if I pushed back. He led me to the bed, and as soon as I sat down, he knelt and took off my shoes. I felt awkward, but he did it all with a smile. Then he lifted my feet onto the mattress and pulled the blanket over me. I'd never had this kind of care from anyone. I'd always had to handle everything myself, and this tenderness was making me uncomfortable.
Without warning, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my lips, wishing me sweet dreams. Then he left the room and closed the door. I turned on my side, trying to make sense of what was happening. How had my life changed this drastically, this suddenly? How had a simple nurse become the obsession of a man who'd only seen her once?
Was he really the way he was presenting himself? This calm and well-mannered? Or was it all a mask hiding who he really was? In the psychiatric ward at the hospital, there were plenty of patients like that. Calm on the surface, then suddenly snapping. Especially the most dangerous ones, the ones locked in the criminal wing. And his threats had been firm—about bringing me back if I tried to run.
My God, what had I gotten myself into?
With so many questions spinning in my head, it started to throb. Exhaustion pulled me under, and I fell asleep. And for the first time—I didn't know why—I slept peacefully. Without worrying about where Jorge was or how I'd pay next month's bills. I just slept, with a quiet certainty that everything would be all right.
* * *
When I stirred awake, I felt someone holding me, pulling me against their body. I turned quickly to see who it was—and there he was. Ravi. Shirtless. His hand resting on my waist. He opened his eyes, and I got lost in the intensity of his gaze. Like staring into the ocean.
"Good morning, my fiancee." That smile again. His calmness was almost admirable.
"Good morning, Ravi," I said, trying to sit up, but he held me tighter, pulling me closer.
"No rush, Lorena. Let's enjoy this moment—the first of many. But every time you wake up from now on, I want a good morning kiss. Deal?"
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