The Blackmail contract Bride - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Lena's POV:
I didn’t sleep. Not even a little.
My eyes were swollen from crying. Every time I closed them, I saw Emma’s face, fragile and smiling, waiting for me to save her. I could talk to Cane, try and get him to help me, but would I keep running to men? They would always find a way to hold control over me, just like Dominic was doing.
No matter how many times I cleaned my face, ttears wouldn’t stop. I stepped into the shower, still crying, even the warm water from the shower couldn’t wash away the ache in my chest. I stood under the stream until my skin was raw, just trying to feel something different, anything else.
My heart hurt and there was not a single person in the world to tell about it. It was times like this that made me miss my parents. They weren't rich, but at least we were comfortable. I would never have ended up in Dominic's clutches if they were alive
I dried myself slowly, dragging my feet as I stepped into the room. I just wanted one more moment of peace before I told Cane the truth.
But then I froze.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding my phone. His knuckles were white, his face stone-cold. The message from Dominic was open on the screen.
“If Lena doesn’t come back, her sister dies. You have three days.”
Cane lifted his eyes to mine. They weren’t angry. They were hurt.
"When were you going to tell me?" he asked, voice low and tight.
I wrapped the towel tighter around myself, trying to shield more than just my body. My heart. My guilt.
"You just came back and I just found out last night," I whispered. I wanted to ask where he was throughout the night, but stopped myself. I wasn't going to act lovesick for another man.
"I didn’t want to ruin our last moment." I said as I threw on a shirt
His jaw clenched. "Last moment? You’re really thinking of going back to him?"
I couldn’t answer. Because yes. I was.
Cane stood up slowly, still gripping the phone. "You think I can’t protect you? Protect Emma? You think he’s the only one with power?"
"It’s not about that!" I shouted, voice cracking. "It’s about my sister. She’s dying, Cane! I can’t play games with time."
"This is my sister's life and mine on the line here. Why can't both of you get that? You can't gamble with one human life, talk less of two."
This was what I was afraid of, will I always be a piece to be thrown around by whoever had the most money and means.
"And you think walking back into hell will save her? He’s manipulating you. That’s not love, Lena. That’s ownership."
I broke.
The sob ripped from my throat before I could stop it. I sank to the floor, knees hitting cold tile. My chest ached so badly I thought I might stop breathing.
Did he think I didn't know that? Dominic wasn't capable of love. I'm afraid for my child's life.
"I know!" I cried. "I know it’s wrong. I know it’s dangerous. But I can’t, what if she dies because I stayed happy? What if she dies because I chose myself?"
If anything went wrong with Emma, I was finished. What more is left for me?
Cane knelt beside me, his arms wrapping around my shaking body. He pulled me close, kissed the side of my head.
"I won’t let that happen," he whispered. "You don’t have to go back. We’ll figure something out, Lena. Please… stay."
"I can't, Cane. We both knew one day this fling of us would have to end. That day is today."
"Don't say that, Lena. Just give me some time to get things together. I will help you." He stated.
I wanted to believe him and just sit right back, but I couldn't. Not when Dominic's plan was already in motion. If it was just me in this state and not my innocent sick sister, I would stay... Cane was powerful, although I didn't know how much, but I do know he doesn't come close to Dominic. And what if I stayed and this thing between us frizzled out and I wanted to leave. I man like him wouldn't let me.
I needed to get my life together and stop men from running it.
"Stay please." He whispered, placing a kiss on my neck.
I nodded against his chest. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to stay more than anything.
But I’d made up my mind.
That night, while Cane slept beside me, peaceful, his hand still wrapped protectively around my waist, I got up.
I pulled on jeans and a simple sweater, the same one I wore the night I was taken. I folded the goodbye note and placed it beside him on the pillow: I’m sorry. I did want to see where this thing between us would go, but I can't. I might say I hate him for controlling me, but there's a part of me who craves him. I'm carrying his child, if not for anything, I have to try to get to him and I can’t let Emma die,
I need to do this.
I hope you’ll understand someday.
Lena.'
I took one last look at his sleeping face.
Then I disappeared into the night.
And as I stepped inside, I prayed I wouldn’t lose myself entirely.
The path leading back to Dominic’s mansion seemed longer than I recalled. With each step, a weight settled deeper in my chest. By the time I reached the imposing black gates, my legs trembled beneath me.
A chilly wind swept by, prompting me to hug my arms tightly around myself as the gates creaked open, slowly and silently, like a creature beckoning me inside.
This was the moment.
The cost of love. The cost of rescuing someone.