Something in Chris seems to snap after I briefly curse him to go to hell. He returns the rains of punches I gave him with his own and I can only weakly defend my head with my arms. The adrenaline rush I gained previously has long lost its effect. The ringing and dizzying feeling in my head were accompanied by terrible pain. I'm slowly losing consciousness.
This is the worst beating I've ever received in my life. As a woman, I think I held up quite well. And as a man, I think I've defended my honor properly. Despite the upgrade in my size and strength, I know I won't be able to beat Chris down in my current condition. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to beat the shit out of him.
Seeing his disheveled appearance right now gave my raging heart a little comfort. My only regret is that I don't get to kill him right then and there. That's right. I'm ready to kill this guy with my very own hand.
I was declared dead precisely two weeks ago today. Yet here he is, getting all horny on his male pet. I guess I really don't have any place in his heart. When I mentioned the name Dakota, only indifference can be seen on that face of his. As if my mere life was of no value to him.
I can't say the same about his feelings towards Aaron though. I can see the possessiveness in his eyes when our gazes meet. But he was acting so violent towards "Aaron". Going as far as digging his thumb into my wound. That actions of his angered me even more.
I wasn't the type to accept trashings with open arms anyway. It's only fitting I lose my shit a little. Don't you think so?
With the little consciousness I still retained, I heard a loud noise boomed across the washroom. A muffled voice desperately calling out "D" followed after. The weight on top of me vanished and the barrage of punches stop. Two strong arms lifted me from the cold tiled floor and pulled me into a warm embrace.
A familiar refreshing scent of a fabric softener assaulted my nose upon impact. Muffled shouts can be heard every time the chest my head leans on vibrates. Lying in these arms gave me a sense of security and the last bit of my consciousness finally fade...
*****
I once again woke up to the sound of the ECG machine beeping by my ears. This feeling of deja-vu sends shivers down my spine. What if I woke up in a different body this time?
...
I opened my eyes slowly. The light in the room was dim. Making it hard for me to see the surroundings clearly. But judging from the smell of disinfectant drifting in the air, I'm sure I'm currently in the hospital.
Sigh. It hasn't been long since I last checked out of a hospital. Yet here I am now. This body seems to have an affinity towards hospitals...
I spotted a figure sitting on the chair set by the right side of the bed I'm lying on. This familiar silhouette...it was Edgar. He had his left elbow resting on the armrest while his left hand supports his forehead. His right hand was resting on the tablet positioned on his lap. There was no light on the tablet. I assumed he has fallen asleep while browsing something or doing his work.
My parched throat has been annoying me ever since I woke up. Scanning the room around once more, I spotted a jar of water and empty glasses on the bedside table to my right. Not wanting to wake Edgar from his sleep, I pushed myself up with my elbows.
It was at this time that I felt a stinging pain from my ribs. Which causes me to fall back onto the pillow with a groan. What the hell?! I don't remember the injury being this painful. Obviously different than that time when I first woke up as Aaron.
Edgar seems to be awakened by the noise I made. With a swish, he jolted from the chair. Leaving the tablet that has been resting on his lap to fall onto the floor. He then reached out to the buttons on the wall. "Wait. I'll call the doctor."
He adjusted the bed so I can sit upright. He then proceeded to fill one of the empty glasses with water before slowly bringing it to my lips. "You must be thirsty. Here."
I obediently chug the whole glass down. Once the glass was emptied of its content, I thanked him in a hoarse voice.
A doctor and a few nurses walked in soon after. Just like before, they ran some tests on me. I added a broken lower right rib, a mild head concussion, and a broken hand bone to my existing injuries...
The splinted right hand is now in a cast. and the reopened wound has been sutured back properly. I was thankful my broken rib doesn't poke into any of my vital organs.
The doctor only left after answering Edgar's endless inquiries. Even after all the reassurances, Edgar's face only eased up a little. After walking the doctor out of the room, Edgar closes the door behind him and returned to his initial position, by the bedside.
"I bet you're hungry. It's way past dinner time." Taking out the phone in his pocket, he made a quick call to someone to send porridge and some other easy to digest food to the hospital. Once he's done giving out the order, he hung up the phone and set it aside.
"Are you sure you're feeling okay?" I don't remember how many times he's asked me the same question during the check-up and I have been answering him positively every time. But looking at his restless behavior and the deep furrow of his brows, I finally realized he wasn't asking about my injuries.
Looking at the night sky through the window, I said slowly, "I'm not sure either. A few days ago I woke up as a college student with a bad reputation and nowhere to go. Then, I was told I might be on your uncle's hitlist. Now, I found out my husband not only cheats on me with Emma, he even kept a male pet by his side, who turns out to be Aaron."
I didn't receive any reply from Edgar, nor was I expecting one. "Where is he right now?"
"...He was taken to the police station. I'll handle it. Don't worry." Edgar returned solemnly.
"I bet it won't take long before he walks out freely, huh?" Remembering the cover-up of my death, I have low expectations of seeing him being convicted. Too bad.
"D, I have something to tell you." Edgar's serious tone managed to snap my attention back to him. Looking at him straight in the eyes, I waited for his words.
"Your husband, Chris, turns out to be my uncle, Roland's, illegitimate son." He slowly opened.
...
"My uncle just introduced him to the board this morning."
...
"And...I might be the cause of your death. I've been looking into their business too much so they started to attack those around me. Chris...might be sent to monitor you."
...
"I'm really sorry. You can hate and blame me as much as you want. But I promise I will protect you properly this time. Nothing like today will happen ever again." At the end of his words, he reached out to my left hand and hold it gently in his palms.
So, everything was premeditated? When Chris approached me two years ago, it was because he was keeping an eye on me as a chess piece against Edgar?
What the hell?