Chapter 55
Cordelia slowly peeled her heavy eyelids open, her body aching as though it had been torn apart and put back together. The pain was unbearable.
She found herself surrounded by white walls and the sterile smell of antiseptic. Her body was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, and her leg was propped up in the air. The sight stunned her, and she felt a large hand gently hold hers. The warmth from the touch seeped into her heart.
Cordelia turned her head to meet the man’s deep, troubled eyes. He looked at her with a mix of emotions—concern, frustration, affection, and a trace of self-blame. He forced a smile and stroked her hair softly, his voice hoarse. “You’re finally awake.”
Cordelia winced as her head buzzed. Apart from the pain, she couldn’t feel much else.
“What happened to me?” she asked weakly.
Marcus held her hand tightly and rubbed it gently. “You don’t remember?”
Her lips felt dry, and her throat was parched, as if it were on fire. Slowly, her memories began to flood back. The events of that night replayed in her mind. Michael and Jesse kept forcing her to drink, then pushed her toward Josiah. He had taken her into the car, and her unwillingness to be taken advantage of had made her act rashly—removing her bag strap and choking the driver.
Cordelia’s grip tightened into fists, her anxiety rising once more.
“It’s fine now,” Marcus said softly, trying to comfort her. “Everything’s over. As long as you’re okay.”
“Honey,” she whispered, stretching her arms toward him for a hug.
Marcus smiled and sat beside her, carefully lifting her into his arms. Cordelia sighed in relief, returning to the warmth and safety of his embrace. Listening to his steady heartbeat, all the fear and hurt she had been suppressing finally escaped in the form of tears.
Marcus gently rubbed her head, his heart aching as he whispered, “Sorry I came late. Your coworker, Annie, actually texted me about your situation once you finished work. You texted me a few times after that too. But I didn’t see any of them.”
“You’re not to be blamed,” Cordelia replied, her voice quiet. “I should have been more careful.”
“But things like this… they can happen anywhere, in any workplace.” Her voice trailed off, and she winced at the pain in her leg. Her expression changed as she looked at her elevated leg.
“It’s a light fracture,” Marcus explained gently. “The rest of your body’s just scraped up. Consider yourself lucky.”
“So I won’t be able to walk for a while?” Cordelia asked in a daze.
“Yeah,” Marcus chuckled softly. “I’ll take care of you for the time being.”
Cordelia froze for a moment. He’d take care of her? She remembered his cooking skills—if he were to take care of her, she’d probably be eating bland vegetables every day.
She chuckled weakly and tightened her arms around his waist.
Marcus looked down at her, his expression becoming more serious as silence stretched between them. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and solemn. “Why did you do that?”
“Hm?” Cordelia looked up at him.
“Why jump out of the car?”
Cordelia took a deep breath and told him everything, from Michael and Jesse’s conversation to her decision to act.
“I drank quite a bit at that time. If I hadn’t overheard Michael and Jesse’s conversation, I might’ve already… I bit my lip as tears began to well in her eyes. “Jumping out of the car was my only option for self-defense. I couldn’t just sit there and let Josiah take me to the hotel.”
Marcus’s voice was filled with concern as he spoke. “But do you know how dangerous it is to strangle the driver from behind and then jump out of the car recklessly? What if you fell and got hurt—or worse?!”
Cordelia’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up at him, seeing the sternness in his eyes. It was rare for him to look so serious. The intensity in his gaze made her feel slightly wronged. Had she been wrong to do that?
Looking at him, Cordelia pouted and murmured, “Would you rather I let some man take me to the hotel?”
“I just want you to stay alive!” Marcus’s tone was firm and deep.
Cordelia’s heart quieted at his words, and she rested her head against him. She could feel the weight of his worry, and it made her feel both safe and conflicted at the same time.