Chapter 299: Chapter 299 A Life on Loan
I shivered in his arms as he carried me down the hallway, the warmth caressed my skin, unlike the relentless pouring of the cold rain.
We had stayed in that embrace for what seemed like forever, until Damon scooped me in his arms seeing how I was shivering in his embrace.
His footsteps echoed faintly down the hallway. He carried me high against his chest, my head resting under his chin.
I closed my swollen eyes, and one last drop of tears rolled down my cheeks. My thoughts had decided to depart from me, there was nothing in my mind except an empty dark room.
Damon looked down at me, but he immediately returned his gaze forward. The bond between us had grown sharper, his emotions flooded into me, and they felt clearer like water.
The creaking sound of the door filled the air before it was shut again.
"I’ll take you to the bathroom, you should have a hot shower, and change your clothes."
His voice was low, yet it carried a weight I couldn’t ignore. He placed me carefully on the stool beside the marble tub and turned the faucet. Warm water rushed out, steam curling softly into the air. He tested it with his palm before glancing at me.
"I’ll take the witch out of this room," he said quietly. "And prepare another room for her to rest."
I didn’t respond. My eyes were fixed on the wall opposite me, tracing the faint cracks in the white tiles. The warmth from the rising steam brushed against my face, but I felt nothing. The world around me seemed far away, muffled, like I was trapped underwater.
He hesitated beside me. His hand lifted halfway, as if to brush the wet strands of hair that clung to my cheek, but he stopped midway and drew it back. His jaw tightened.
"I’ll be outside," he said finally, his tone rougher than before. "I’ll bring you some clothes."
The sound of the door closing was soft but final. I sat there for a moment longer before stepping into the shower. The water poured over me, hot and heavy, tracing every line of my skin. It should have burned, but it didn’t. I just stood there, motionless, watching the water swirl down the drain, taking the dirt and blood along with it.
When the water finally turned lukewarm, I reached for the towel. My reflection in the mirror was pale and hollow, the steam fogging the edges of the glass. I turned slightly, and my breath caught in my throat.
The mark on my upper shoulder stared back at me, it was faint, yet unmistakable. My fingers hovered above it.
"I’m not real," I whispered, closing my eyes tightly. "I’m not supposed to exist."
The words left my mouth in a broken murmur. I grabbed the towel and wrapped it around my chest, tying it tightly as if I could hide it away.
’What is the point of having the mark on me? What point is it? Is there anything special about it... or is it a cruel reminder that I am someone’s mate? A mate I’ll leave in gruesome pain after I die in a month’s time? What a cruel fate.’
My fingers itched to scratch it off my skin. And why does the mark have to be the love pendant between Emelia and Damon? I felt like a second-hand goods, a compensation for his loss, and a broken piece to fix a mistake.
But why me? There are millions of people in this world, why does it have to be me? I can’t hate him yet I can’t love him... What am I? I thought I was special but it appeared that I was wrong.
I abruptly wiped the tears off my face.
My life was not mine, and the memories of my parents in the human world danced at the edge of my mind.
They were so happy that they had managed to have a child after all the numerous times of trying... yet they didn’t know they were part of a cruel fate. I was only loaned to them, and now that the creditor had come to collect his debt, they had gone back to square one, devastated than before and left with the pain of losing their only child.
I wished I had married quickly and hadn’t chased to be independent... perhaps they would have had a grandchild or two now that I’m gone.
I felt guilt wash over me like a stone beneath a waterfall. My chest clenched tightly, I held my chest... I knew deep down that if I didn’t get my emotions under control and continue to aggravate my wound, I might not even live up to the thirty days.
Then came the knock.
"Aeris," Damon’s voice was muffled through the door. "I brought you some clothes."
I turned to the door, which blurred from the salty water welling up in my eyes. I hesitated before opening the door halfway. The light from the room spilled into the bathroom, and his tall figure stood in the doorway, holding a bundle of folded clothes. His gaze flickered briefly to my face before he handed them over.
"Thank you," I said softly, almost whispering, before closing the door again.
I dressed slowly, each movement slow. When I finished, I dried my hair with the towel, rubbing gently until it fell loosely over my shoulders. The faint scent of rain still lingered in my hair.
When I finally stepped out, the room was quiet. Crystal was gone, not a single trace of her remained. ’That was quick of him...’
My eyes moved to the window. Damon stood there with his hands tucked in his pockets, staring at the storm outside. His reflection blurred faintly against the glass. Lightning flashed across the sky, painting his face in pale light.
For a moment, I just stood there, watching him, wondering what he was thinking, wondering if I should spend the remaining time I had left with him, and stop hating him. ’Forever isn’t measured in time, but in the moments that take our breath away... should I protect him by staying away... or mock fate by spending moments with him that are worth a lifetime?’