Chapter 4

"If that's how it is, then I'll beat some sense into you until you learn what it means to be a real wife!" Sharon shouted. The belt tore through Eleanor's shirt, leaving streaks of blood across her back. She trembled from the pain, yet she refused to give in. "I-I won't take the pills…" she stammered. By then, blood had soaked through her clothes, and her vision began to blur. The last thing she saw was Dominic's back, still on the phone. As darkness closed in around her, Eleanor thought that maybe this was for the best. One final pain, and she would never hurt because of him again. … When Eleanor regained consciousness, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. A moment later, she heard the hospital director speaking in a respectful tone. "Mr. Bennett, the marks on Mrs. Bennett are quite severe. Some have gone deep into the dermis." "Use the best medicine," Dominic replied, his voice low and cold. "Get the best doctors, too. I don't want her left with any scars." "Yes, Mr. Bennett. We'll do everything we can." After the director left, Dominic turned. That was when he finally saw that Eleanor was awake. He rushed to her side, frowning. "How are you feeling?" Eleanor tried to move, but the pain across her back flared like fire. Still, she stayed composed. "I'm fine. The nurses here can take care of me. If you've got things to do, go ahead." To her surprise, Dominic didn't leave. Instead, he sat beside her. His expression was unreadable as he asked, "My mom gave you a hard time. Why didn't you call me?" She thought of how his back had been turned and how he had been so focused on talking to Ashley. The memory made her let out a bitter chuckle. "Well, you looked busy." After a pause, Eleanor asked softly, "If I had called, would you really have come right away?" "Of course," Dominic answered without hesitation. She stilled. That wasn't the answer she had expected. "I've already handled things with the family," he added. "No one's going to pressure you about having a child anymore." Eleanor lowered her gaze, then replied, "Okay. You should go now." "Why do you keep trying to send me away?" Dominic shot back, his brow furrowing. His response took her by surprise. "Aren't you busy?" After all, he was always tied up with work and Ashley. "Not lately." Dominic reached over and pulled the blanket up around her. "I can take care of you for the next few days." That caught her completely off guard. … True to his word, Dominic stayed at the hospital to care for Eleanor over the next few days. He adjusted her bed, fed her, and even changed her bandages himself. One night, when the pain kept her from sleeping, he sat by her bed and gently patted her back. He stayed that way until she finally drifted off. His tenderness brought back memories of the closeness they used to share. But Eleanor wouldn't let herself fall for it again. She had already made up her mind to leave, and there was no going back. … A week later, the marks on Eleanor's back had faded significantly. That day, as Dominic applied ointment, she let out a soft gasp without meaning to. Almost immediately, his hand froze mid-motion. Puzzled, Eleanor turned, only to meet his intense gaze. His Adam's apple bobbed, and below his waist… Her expression shifted slightly. However, Dominic was already leaning in, his breathing growing heavier with each passing second. Just as his lips were about to meet hers, a sharp sound broke the tension. They both turned to see Ashley standing in the doorway. The fruit basket had slipped from her hands, and fruit rolled across the floor.