Chapter Thirty Five - The Truth

I inhaled deeply to the unfamiliar scent and slowly opened my tired eyes.

My gaze met a white ceiling. Where was I?

The beeping of a machine started ringing in my ears and I looked around myself. I wasn't in my room or Alec's for that matter.

Then, I started recalling everything that had happened, causing my heart to beat loudly as the events of my last conscious state came back to me.

Was I shot?

I moved my arms and legs in a weak manner to check for any pain but there was none.

I lifted my upper body on my arms in an attempt to sit up when the door swung open.

A middle aged man in a white coat entered the room. I assumed he was a doctor.

He had a warm smile on his face as he walked up to me with a clipboard in his hands.

"I'm Neil, your doctor. How are you feeling, Mrs. Sinclair?"

"I'm okay," I nodded in confusion. "What happened to me? Why am I in a hospital?"

He frowned for a moment, looked at the machines beside my bed and then jotted something down on the board. "You don't remember anything?"

"I do. I remember being kidnapped. Then, someone was helping me escape and I probably passed out because of the bullet? I was shot, right?"

"No. You passed out because of shock and exhaustion. Besides a few cuts and bruises, you're fine."

I sighed in relief.

"Can I sit up?"

He nodded and pressed a button on the side of the bed, causing the upper end of it to incline up.

Just then, an image flashed infront of my eyes.

Right before the redhead had caught up to us, I had seen a car in distance and someone getting out of it in a hurry.

Was it really Alec? Or was I dreaming?

"Where's my husband?" I suddenly asked. He was okay, right?

There's no way the redhead could have done something to him after I passed out.

"He's waiting outside. Do you want me to send him in?" He asked and I nodded immediately.

The doctor took a few moments to check my vitals and write something on the board again before he finally left the room.

I waited patiently and after a few seconds, the door opened again.

Alec stepped into the room and I started studying his appearance. His form seemed exhausted, there were bags under his tired eyes and his stubble had grown to give him a five o'clock shadow.

Just how long have I been out?

He walked closer and once he was beside my bed, he just stood there watching me with no emotion whatsoever.

His dull blue orbs locked with mine and they were as devoid of any emotion as a pole.

"I hope you cried for me," I tried to joke.

He did not speak anything.

Was he okay?

I started to worry about him and before I could utter another word, his lips moved and he let me relish his voice.

"I fucking hate you," It came out in a monotone.

I blinked in response.

"What?" I muttered.

"Shut up," He snapped.

What the hell!

"But what happen-"

"Shut up or I swear to God, I will shut you up, Scarlet," His eyes glowed in anger and I realized that he was better when he was just standing there saying nothing.

"You are impossible, Alec Sinclair," I snapped. "I was stupid to think you would be worried about me and to expect some kind of affection from you, but who was I kiddi-"

He shut me up when he suddenly ducked down and pressed his lips against mine.

His fingers gently rubbed against my cheeks as butterflies exploded in my stomach. I felt tears forming in my eyes upon realizing how much I had missed this.

I thought I would never see him again.

He pulled away, leaving me panting for more and pressed his forehead against mine.

I lifted my hands and placed them on his shoulders.

"Not worried about you? Believe me, if there's anything I did, it was to worry about you and hope you would come back to-"

He stopped abruptly and I opened my eyes to see what had happened.

His eyes were fixed on mine as a frown fell upon his lips. He brushed his fingers over the tears and wiped them away.

"I'm sorry," He muttered and I took in a deep breath.

"It's fine. I know you didn't mean to act rude a while ago."

"No," He shook his head. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

"Please don't say that, Alec," I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He buried his face into my shoulder, holding me tightly.

"It's not your fault she tricked me," I muttered.

"Alec, what exactly happened that night? Was there really a gunshot?" I asked in confusion.

"The cops shot the gun out of her hands before she could shoot you. Hal, her husband had pushed you to the ground with himself to save you. If it weren't for him, we would have never found you so easily."

So her husband was helping me?

"But why would he go against his own wife and son?"

"His wife has a mental condition," He spoke. I freaking knew it from the way she acted so bipolar. "She's off to get therapy for that."

There was a long, comforting silence and I could hear his heartbeat.

"Scarlet," He trailed off with a sigh. "When I saw you on the ground with all that blood on your face and arms, I thought......"

"I'm alright," I whispered.

"Just....don't ever do that to me again, okay?" He muttered in a low voice.

I couldn't help but smile. He was acting like a child.

His warm breath fanned my neck and I felt his lips against my skin. He pulled back, took my hands from around his neck and kissed my knuckles, keeping his gaze locked with mine.

My heart skipped a beat.

"I promise I'll never let anyone cause any harm to you ever again," His tone was firm.

I bit my lip to stop a smile from reaching my lips.

He held my gaze.

"I love you, Scarlet."

His words caused my heart to flutter as I found a blush forming on my cheeks.

"I love you, Alec."

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and smiled down at me.

He had such a wonderful, heart warming smile. He should definitely smile more often.

I looked down at the hospital gown and scrunched my nose up. "What a bummer though."

"What?" He asked in confusion.

"We were going to have some after party fun with that red gown," I shook my head.

A look of amusement flashed across his eyes. "Is that all you ever think about? You're so insatiable, Mrs. Sinclair."

"Guess I got that from you, Mr. Sinclair," I smirked.

His eyes narrowed playfully and he leaned in closer but just then, the door swung open.

"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something," The voice spoke.

Dad stood at the door, his eyes fixed on me but before walking inside, he turned around and said. "It's safe to come in, Jimmy."

And with that, he stepped forward and engulfed me in his arms. "You scared me, Scar. Are you alright?"

"Yes," I nodded with a smile and looked behind him.

Jimmy was standing at the doorway, looking a little scared.

When he saw me, he ran up to me, climbed on the bed and threw his arms around me, breaking into little sobs.

"Jimmy," I muttered in surprise, running my fingers through his hair.

I could feel his tears soaking the cloth near my shoulders.

"James, what's wrong?" I patted his back.

"I thought.....I thought you were leaving like mom," He sobbed.

A lump formed in my throat at the mention of mom. I tried to blink my tears away but hearing his sobs brought the tears down to my cheeks.

"I'll never leave you, Jimmy," I mumbled.

"You promise?"

"Yes, I promise," I spoke as dad wiped my tears and gave us both a hug.

I had completely forgotten that Alec was here with us and pulled back from them to look at him but he wasn't in the room. When did he leave?

Maybe he had to take a phone call.

The three of us talked for some time, mostly because me and dad wanted to make Jimmy feel better. He still looked shook from the incident.

A few minutes later, the door was opened with so much force that I was worried it might come off.

Lily had taken a dramatic entrance and hugged the living daylights out of me. "Scar! Oh My God! Are you okay?"

I honestly felt like a warrior returned from hell the way she asked me questions about how I survived. But I love her anyway.

I also learnt that I had been out for a whole day.

It was night now and I had persuaded dad into going home with Jimmy as he couldn't stay in the hospital. Lily left too.

Alec entered the room shortly after they left.

"Where were you?" I asked.

"I was speaking to your doctor," He spoke and walked over to my bed.

"What did he say? Can I go home?" I asked in excitement.

"Yes. But I insisted on you staying here for another day."

My jaw dropped. "Why?"

"They need to make sure you're fine."

"So you're telling me that the doctor said I could go but you are making me stay another day? That is so unfair, Alec," I pouted.

"Unfair?" He raised a brow.

"Yeah! When you were hospitalized, you got discharged earlier than you were supposed to while my stay is prolonged. That is unfair."

He shrugged and sat down beside me. "I might prolong it further if you keep pouting like that."

I pouted.

His eyes fell down to my lips.

"Are you trying to turn me on in a hospital?" He whispered huskily.

My mouth fell open as I stared at him.

He leaned in closer. "Is that a yes, Scarlet?"

I flushed.

He chuckled and walked over to the couch. "Go to sleep. You must be sleepy from the medicines."

"Are you staying here?"

"Of course," He spoke and sat down on the couch.

"Alec, your shoulder hasn't healed completely. You can't sleep there. Get on the bed."

He smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. "Is it that hard to stay away from me?"

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

He walked up to me and climbed on the bed. I pulled the blanket over us and placed my head on his chest.

Yep! Definitely hard to stay away from him.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked.

"Yes. A whole lot better now," I rubbed circles on his chest.

He grabbed my hand. "Don't."

I looked up at him with a smirk and brought my hand back to my chest.

"I didn't know I could entice you even in an over sized hospital gown," I muttered.

He scoffed. "Clothes are way overrated. You could always just take them off."

My jaw dropped. "They're so not. Take that red gown for example."

He sighed. "You can have a thousand red gowns if that's what you really want."

"Really?" I looked up at him.

"Sure," He smiled. "Anything you want."

"Anything?"

"Yes. I'll give you anything."

"Okay then...." I trailed off, debating if I should say it or not.

"Then what? Tell me what you want," He looked down at me.

"I want....the truth."

"Truth?" He furrowed his brows.

I bit my lip before speaking further.

"The truth behind our marriage. Why did you marry me?"

He held my gaze and then looked away. I realized that he was getting up from the bed, so I quickly wrapped my hand around his arm and pulled him back.

"I get it. You don't wanna talk about it right now. It's fine but don't leave me," I pleaded.

He pressed his lips into a thin line and got back into his previous position.

I sighed in relief and shut my eyes. Yawning, I placed my head on the pillow.

"For revenge."

I opened my eyes to look up at Alec.

"What?"

He matched my gaze. "I married you for revenge."

"I don't underst-"

"I couldn't take my eyes off you that day in the parking lot. The way you talked to me, the way you let that elevator shut in my face and got me late for my meeting, I just couldn't get all that out of my head."

It took me a moment to recall the day I met him for the first time in that parking lot.

"You drove me crazy, Scarlet Sinclair. Ever since I laid my eyes on you, I knew I had to have you. Your feisty little attitude kept challenging my stupid ego and when I discovered that your father needed my help, I decided to get back at you."

He took in a deep breath.

"I forced you into marriage because I had this urge to tame you, control you. For some reason, the thought of leaving you alone bothered me. I wanted you as my prize. I wanted to own you."

I blinked at him in surprise.

"I hated you in the beginning. The way you always chose to defy me, challenge me and tested my patience--I hated you but then....things changed in Barbados. You know that."

I opened my mouth to speak something but he continued.

"I started feeling for you. I didn't like it when you were sad or mad at me about anything. I was ready to go beyond my limits just to make you happy. My thoughts conflicted me. But soon, I realized what I truly felt for you."

He took in a deep breath. "I fell for you, Scarlet."

"Alec..."

"And I'm sorry for ruining all your dreams of getting married to someone you actually loved."

I lifted my hands and cupped them around his cheeks.

"I do love you and I couldn't be more happy. Thank you for being honest with me," I smiled and gave him a kiss.

He reverted my smile but it didn't reach his eyes.

Maybe he was still feeling guilty.

"I'm ready to leave the past behind. Are you?" I asked.

He nodded.

"No more secrets, okay?"

He looked me straight in the eye. "Okay."

"Thank you," I muttered and shut my eyes.

Maybe I loved him more after that.

How was it?

I guess I rushed into things but I'll be editing this sometime later. I'm literally struggling to keep my eyes open right now. Goodnight!

Don't forget to vote, comment and share!

Thank you! ❤