The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Elice was hysterical. So were Daphne and Norah in her room. Panic quickly overtook the three women’s minds. They screamed and hurried anxiously to the hospital.

Throughout the trip, the condition of the three women was indescribable. They all felt uncontrollable panic and fear. Daphne in particular seemed so out of control. She kept asking the driver to increase the speed.

“Nana,” Elice called softly. As much as her body was shaking at that moment, she tried to stay strong. Trying to keep her mind somewhat clear. To remind herself again and again not to let the confusion break her mind. She had to do this. For Norah and Daphne. “Garrett is fine. You don’t have to worry.”

It wasn’t just empty words. That was the message they received. That although Garrett had been taken to the hospital, his condition was nothing to worry about.

Daphne knew that. After hearing that Garrett had been taken to the hospital, she also knew that Garrett was fine. That Garrett was not seriously hurt. But it felt like it was all useless. Meaningless until they saw Garrett. To see Garrett’s condition with their own eyes.

And when they arrived at Garrett’s room, they went right in. The desire to see Garrett’s condition was truly unbearable. When they finally found Garrett there, their footsteps immediately stopped.

“Garrett.”

Daphne’s voice trembled as she saw Garrett’s condition. Dressed in patient clothes, Garrett lay on the hospital bed. A guard watched over him.

“Nana.”

Garrett immediately stood up with the help of the guard. Sitting up, Garrett could clearly see the worry. Not only on Daphne’s face, but also on Norah’s. Especially… Elice’s.

Elice’s eyes closed with slow breaths. It was truly indescribable how relieved Elice was to see Garrett, just like the news she received. Garrett survived even with many bruises on his body.

Daphne hugged Garrett. She was crying behind the glasses she was wearing. Garrett stood stunned and let her go. He knew that Daphne needed time to calm down.

It was obviously not easy. At her age, the news about Garrett was something very shocking. Almost made her think she wouldn’t be able to handle it. But she tried to hold on. She had to meet Garrett.

Daphne’s body trembled. In the remnants of fear that still remained, she thanked God over and over again.

“Oh, God. Thank God you’re okay, Garrett.”

Daphne pulled away and cupped Garrett’s face. She made sure that nothing significant had happened to her grandson. No serious injuries, no stitches, no broken bones. There were just bruises and contusions in a few places.

“I’m sorry, Nana,” Garrett said, looking at his mother and wife as well. “I made you worry.”

Norah could only shake her head in silence. Unable to say anything when the fear was still very real in her body. Next to Norah was Elice, hugging her mother-in-law. Trying to calm her down.

“I’m glad you’re okay, Garrett.”

Trying to stay strong, Norah melted as well. She sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked her son’s bruised face. Garrett smiled and reassured his mother.

“I’m okay, Mom,” Garrett said. “Don’t worry.”

Literally, Garrett was fine. All he had were bruises and scrapes. But that would never be all in Daphne’s eyes.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“Where’s Dariel?”

A guard answered. “He’s being treated, madam.”

“He’s badly hurt, Nana.”

Garrett replied. No need to ask, he clearly knew what was on Daphne’s mind. The grandmother turned to him.

“His hand was hurt and needed stitches,” Garrett continued. “And if it wasn’t for him, I’m sure I wouldn’t have survived.”

Not to exaggerate, but that was the truth. Dariel had done all he could. Until now, when Garrett had not even been scratched by an inch of a sharp weapon. That Dariel had protected him as Daphne had hoped.

Daphne didn’t object. Instead, she asked the guard.

“What is your name?”

“I am Abert Cruz, madam,” Abert replied straightforwardly. “While Dariel is still recovering, I will be taking over his position.”

Daphne nodded. She looked Abert up and down for a moment. Then she remembered. That there were two other guards on duty outside Garrett’s room.

“That’s good then. Make sure you keep Garrett safe no matter what.”

*

It was blood. Something that made Garrett realize he had never done anything like this in his life. But fate worked in surprises that often took Garrett by surprise. He had to fight back or he would be helpless.

Garrett was panting. His chest felt tight. Beads of sweat spattered his forehead. He felt suffocated. The heat burned his body. It urged him to rebel. He had to move. Keep moving so the attacker wouldn’t hurt him.

“Garrett.”

Elice’s voice jolted Garrett awake. His eyes opened and he gasped. He blinked once and turned around. At Elice’s worried face.

“Garrett?” Elice called with a hint of doubt in her voice. “Are you okay?”

Garrett’s condition was more than enough for Elice to answer. He looked exhausted. He tried to get up and Elice helped him.

Elice took the initiative and immediately handed Garrett a glass of cold water. The man gulped it down eagerly. In a few big gulps, as if he hadn’t drunk for days.

After placing the empty glass on the bedside table, Elice grabbed some handkerchiefs. Tenderly she wiped the sweat from her husband’s face.

Elice held her breath. Although she had been able to control herself since earlier. But as she looked closer at the bruises and contusions, even touching them, the feeling of pain returned.

“Elice.”

Garrett took Elice’s hand. Their eyes met and Garrett could see the pain in those dark eyes. A fog shrouded them.

Since earlier, Elice had pulled herself together not to add to Norah and Daphne’s confusion and was determined to calm them down as much as possible. But now that it was just her and Garrett, Elice couldn’t pretend anymore.

Garrett pulled Elice close and hugged her. He didn’t want to admit it, but honestly, the thought of the worst had crossed his mind. What if he couldn’t see Elice anymore?

Garrett closed his eyes. His embrace tightened. Fortunately, it was only a bad possibility that didn’t become a terrible reality.

“I thought I would lose you, Garrett.”

Elice’s sobs could be heard. In the midst of the tears she allowed to flow, Elice spoke. She voiced the fear that had shackled her throughout the journey.

“I thought you would leave me, Garrett.”

When the knife and the bat took turns attacking him, Garrett had briefly thought that he would indeed leave this world. Leaving Elice.

“No,” Garrett whispered hoarsely. “I’m here, Elice. And I’m okay.”

Elice pulled away from their embrace. Her face was wet with tears. And in that moment, Garrett could feel the depth of the fear Elice had experienced.

Blinking and letting tears fall down her cheeks again, Elice gently wiped Garrett’s cheek. Careful not to hurt him.

“Never do that again, Garrett. Never.”

A plea that resulted in another bruise for Garrett. Not on his body. But in his heart.

“I’m sorry, Elice. And I promise. This won’t happen again.”

*

Because of what happened to Garrett that night, it was not without reason that Regina gave Daphne a sedative. It was already two o’clock in the morning. But confusion and anger still kept Daphne from lying down on her bed.

“How dare they.”

Daphne’s hand clenched. She slapped the arm of the sofa with heated breaths.

Standing in her place, Regina couldn’t do anything. She had tried to persuade Daphne to rest, but to no avail. Regina knew well how stubborn Daphne could be when it came to her feelings.

Daphne wouldn’t forget. Garrett’s pitiful condition was seared into her mind. Bruises and bruises all over his body were things she couldn’t erase from her memory.

Anger filled Daphne’s chest. She felt an uncontrollable heat. Embers that demanded vengeance soon. Unacceptable for the misfortune that had befallen her grandson.

But a moment later, the image of Garrett’s condition returned. This time it brought a different emotion. Not anger, but the opposite. It was a stream of pain that pierced her heart.

Daphne’s anger disappeared. Replaced by fear. She moaned, suppressing the tightness of the pain. For the image of Garrett was followed by other shadows. Spinning around.

“Oh, God,” Daphne whispered. Unconsciously, tears welled up in her eyes again. “Don’t let Garrett see such terrible things. I beg you.”

No need to ask. Although there were no serious injuries, Daphne dared to bet on how much pain Garrett was in right now. In fact, she wanted to go with her grandson. Stay with him all night. But Elice stopped her. Norah too. They were not young anymore and their health was as important as Garrett’s.

“I won’t forgive them if something bad happens to Garrett. I won’t.”

Daphne shook her head as tears continued to trickle down her cheeks, which were beginning to swell. She reached for her cell phone on the table and quickly sent a message to Carolus to meet her in the morning.

“Isn’t everything that happened enough for them? Why do they want to take my last possessions now?”

Increasingly sobbing, Daphne looked pleading. She rubbed her chest with a sad face. And Regina dared to curse. If she hadn’t been Daphne’s personal nurse, she would never have seen this sight.

Outwardly, Daphne always presented a dominant front. Strong and unquestionable. But in reality, she was just an ordinary person. A woman whose age had reached its twilight. And in those years, she had only one wish. To live in peace and happiness with her beloved family. Not too much to ask, was it?

“Madam.”

Regina approached Daphne. She grabbed her seemingly uncontrollable body in tears.

“Madam, you must rest now,” Regina coaxed gently. She glanced at the clock. She suspected that drowsiness would soon overtake Daphne’s consciousness. “I’m sure madam will want to see Mr. Garrett tomorrow.”

Daphne grimaced. “I feel sorry for Garrett, Regina. My grandson. He’s really pitiful.”

“Mr. Garrett is fine, madam. And I’m sure Mr. Garrett doesn’t want to see Madam so sad.”

Daphne nodded. “He doesn’t want us to worry. But I feel guilty towards him. I shouldn’t have pushed him.”

Regina didn’t understand what Daphne said. And she didn’t care. She thought it was just rambling because of the lingering worry that still confused Daphne.

“Come, madam. Let me help you into bed.”

Daphne’s body felt tired. Perhaps because she had been crying since earlier, coupled with the sedative she had taken, her eyes felt heavy. Now she didn’t refuse Regina’s words.

Daphne rose with Regina’s help. She lay down on the bed and Regina covered her old body with a blanket.

Not leaving Daphne’s room immediately, Regina decided to stay with the old woman for the rest of the night. Daphne’s unstable condition worried her. And indeed, Daphne’s sobs were heard several times. This caused Regina to rise immediately. She thought Daphne was awake, but it turned out she was just delirious.

Regina knew how horrible the nightmares were that Daphne saw in her dark sleep. For the nightmares were clearly visible on Daphne’s old face. Alternating between anger, pain and fear.

It was a truly horrible dream.

*