The faintest sound of breath was a relief and it gave Christopher hope. The adrenaline gave him the strength he never possessed before. He pushed and pull at the pipe, bending and breaking it off, releasing Emilia off it. He caught her before she fell onto the floor, and cradled her in his arms.
"Emilia…" he whispered her name as he assessed her state. She was too cold. Her skin was freezing in touch. Her lips were blue and she was ghastly pale. Her makeup was smudged under her eyes.
The streaks of blood run down her face from a definite impact, and down her arms from the wounds created by the handcuffs that rubbed the skin off her wrists. Emilia's state was beyond pitiful.
Christopher picked her up, and embraced her. He held her tight against his chest, hoping that his body would start warming her up. He could feel her shallow breath as her chest moved up and down.
As he walked out into the cold air, the police cars arrived with their flashing lights.
"She's here." Christopher announced. Agent Summers walked out and waved him towards the car she drove. She must've broke the speed limit to arrive already.
Christopher placed Emilia gently into the backseat and he sad beside her, embracing her tightly and holding her as if it was the last time. Agent Summers drove as fast as possible, looking back in the mirror occasionally.
"Thank you, Agent Summers." Christopher looked up and said at last. "Thank you."
"Let's get you both to the hospital. Dr Hayden needs urgent attention."
Christopher only nodded in agreement.
Once they arrived, Emilia was rushed onto the hospital bed and into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), whilst Christopher waited in the corridor, exhausted and defeated. A strong he was, and as good he was in concealing his true self, he couldn't stop the bout of tears that burnt his face.
"Mr Hayden." The doctor came out.
"Yes?" Christopher looked up with his wet and red eyes.
"Your wife is receiving fluids and being warmed up. Just to be safe, she will receive a blood transfusion as we suspect quite a bit of blood loss. Her wrists will require regular dressing changes until they heal. But, things are looking up. She might go home as early as tomorrow, if she is looked after by a nurse."
Christopher nodded. Tomorrow and Emilia would be back.
He wanted to take her back to the manor and make sure that she was okay. Then… then she could leave him all over again.
At least she was safe. Or as safe as they both were.
He needed heightened security from now on.
Christopher waited outside the room for hours and then moved inside once he was permitted. He stood by the doorway, looking at the suddenly vulnerable figure on the bed that he loved so deeply, like never before. He wanted to protect her. After hesitating, he approached the bed and sat down, gently reaching for Emilia's hand. It was the first time he ever held it and only now he realised how small it was in his hand. She looked fragile, breakable, like a porcelain door that could shatter at any minute if you weren't careful enough.
Christopher blamed himself for not being careful enough, for letting someone hurt her. He blamed himself for messing things up with her so badly.
He could live with just being friends. It was going to be an eternal torture but it was a much better option than having Emilia away where he couldn't protect her.
He laid his head on the edge of the bed and at last he fell asleep. Holding Emilia's hand was reassuring enough that things could be right again.
Three sleepless days caught up with him as the next time he awoke was when Patrick appeared beside him telling him that Emilia has been discharged shall they wish to provide the remainder of her care from the comfort of their home. Christopher agreed without a moment of hesitation.
Once Emilia was moved and settled in her room in the manor, with all the needles poking her, Christopher found himself glued to her side.
It was the first time since he started his career that he didn't care for his work and was out of office. Patrick didn't dare to remind him of work and instead tried to delegate everything on Christopher's behalf.
Christopher was keen to help with Emilia. He got the nurse show him how to change the dressing on her wrists and her head, which he became very skilful at. He learnt to change the IV fluids and pain relief as well.
The following day, as Emilia's state was stable, he went to his study to start working and extinguishing the fire that started under his absence.