Kayla's POV

I woke up by the sound of whispering voices. I opened my eyes to see that I was laying on a hospital bed. Everything came back to me like the rush of waves and I started to wonder what happened after I passed out.

I looked over to the corner of the room where the voices were coming from and I saw Jasmine, Kevin and Lucas. I must have released a breath of air, because all three heads swung in my direction.

Jasmine smiled and walked over to me. "Good, you're awake. You had us all worried." She hugged me, followed by Kevin then Lucas.

"How are you feeling, Kayla?" Lucas asked as he pulled away.

"Like I've been hit by a truck." I said, my lips lifting in a half smile.

Jasmine laughed a little. "That's what I admire about you, Kayla. You have been through hell and you still make a joke." She said and I shrugged. She then looked at me with worry in her eyes. "Carson told us what happened. That bastard is in custody. I can't believe what he thought of doing."

Curious about what happened after I passed out, I frowned. "What happened?"

"Carson came to your house before the prick could touch you. He beat the shit out of them and his parents called the police." She explained.

"He got just what he deserved." Kevin added. "I wish I could have been in that beat down."

I smiled. Knowing Kevin, he would have beaten Allan black and blue for ever hurting me. We were quiet for a while, before I asked. "Where's Carson?"

"He's downstairs in the lobby with a couple of officers." Jasmine related. As soon as she said that, the door opened and Carson entered. Jasmine looked up and smiled brightly. "Look who's awake." She exclaimed.

Carson looked over to me and smiled. His smile made my heart swell as he walked over to me. When he reached me, he sat on the bed and pulled me in a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around him as he placed a kiss on the side of my head.

"We're going to leave you guys alone now." I heard Jasmine say. I pulled away from the hug and smiled at my friends. They waved as they left the room.

I looked back to Carson who was already looking at me. His eyes searching my face. "Are you alright?" He asked. I nodded. "I'm sorry for what happened to you." He added softly.

"You don't have to apologize, Carson. It wasn't your fault." I assured him. I really didn't want him to blame himself. If anything I owed him everything. If it wasn't for him, the man would've...I shuddered. I don't even want to think about it.

"Are you okay?" Carson asked as he noticed my shudder. His voice was full of concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I looked at him again. "I'm just glad you came in time." I said truthfully.

"I will always be there for you. Always." He replied. His words were sincere and I also heard a hint of vulnerability in his voice. I smiled and pulled his face down to mine. I kissed him softly and then pulled away, resting my forehead on his.

"The police wanted to take your statement, but I told them to come back tomorrow when you are released from here." He informed me after a while.

"Thanks." I said gratefully. I didn't think I was in the best state to talk to the police right now. I removed my head from his and look into his beautiful blue eyes. "I love you so much." I whispered.

"I love you more."

******

The next day, I was still at the hospital waiting to be released. The doctor told me that I was fine and that I could go home. I was glad for that. He had prescribed some pain medication to relieve the pain in my stomach. He also told me to avoid repeated injury on my stomach and refrain from partaking in sports or activities that stress the abdominal muscles. I had gotten beaten so much that any hard activities on my stomach would cause the pain to resurface. He told me that I had to make it heal properly.

Last night after my friends and Carson left, Marilyn Knight visited me. She was crying, hugging me and asking me why I hadn't said anything before. I remembered how my heart swelled at the concern she was showing for me. She reminded me a lot of my mother and I was glad to have someone else in my life who cares about me, just like my mother did.

I looked at the clock that was on the table by my bed and saw that it was 8:50am. Carson would be here soon to pick me up and bring me back to his house. He told me that he had called Miranda, my boss at the cafe and told her I wouldn't be coming to work today. He had also explained the whole situation to her.

I had told him last night that I was fine and wanted to go to work, but he insisted that I stayed home and rest. I didn't want to argue with him and everybody else, so I agreed. He also said that Miranda insisted that I didn't come in.

I was sitting up in bed, skipping through the television in the room for quite a while now, when I heard a knock on the door. I looked up to the top of the door that was glass to see Mr. Knight. To say I was surprised to see him, would be an understatement. He was the last person I expect to come here.

I turned the television off and nodded my head to let him know that he could come in. He walked into the room and stood before my bed. He was all dressed up in business attire. I could see that he was on his way to work.

"I'm just stopping by to see how you are doing." He said.

"I'm okay. Thanks." I replied. He nodded his head still looking at me. The room went quiet for a while as he didn't say anything. I looked down at my hands that I was rubbing against the bedspread.

"I just wanted you to know that I wouldn't have asked you to leave the house if I had known what was going on at your house." Mr. Knight finally spoke.

I looked at him then. "I know." I said truthfully.

He then sat in the chair that was by my bed. "So why didn't you tell anyone?" He asked.

"I don't know...I thought no one would believe me and also my stepfather had said that if I told anyone, he would do worst to me. I got scared." I answered.

He nodded his head as if he understood. He then did something unexpected. He moved his hands and covered my right hand that rested on the bed. I was truly and completely surprised by his actions. This wasn't something I expected Mr. Knight to do. He always looks like a person who was detached from a situation.

I looked at him as he spoke. "I'm sorry for what you have gone through." He said sincerely.

I smiled at him. Deep down beneath the business suit, the no nonsense appearance and the hard shell of an executive manager, was someone who cares. I guess he just didn't know how to show it. "Thanks. I really appreciate your kind words."

He gave me a half smile and then got up from the chair. "If there is anything that you need, please let me know."

I nodded my head. "Thanks." He gave a nod in return and turned to leave. "Mr. Knight?" I called as he took two steps.

He stopped and turned to face me again. "Yes."

"I know it's not any of my business, but I have to ask. Why do you want Carson to join your company so badly?" I asked, before I could change my mind.

He didn't expect me to ask that. I could see it by the surprise in his eyes. He looked away from me and sighed, before looking back at me. "It's his birthright. It's what he was born to do. This business has been passed down to Knights' son for generations. I had it all planned out."

I tilted my head and looked at him. "I understand, but shouldn't his dreams be important?" I asked tentatively, afraid that I was overstepping. He didn't say anything, so I continued. "If he works in your company, he is going to be miserable and unhappy. I don't think you will want that for your son."

He shook his head at what I was saying. "You don't understand."

"Forgive me for saying this, but shouldn't he be allowed to choose his own dreams? It's his life; not yours or his mother's." I said in a quiet voice. I was actually surprised that I had the confidence to speak like this to him. "It's his dream. I think he deserves to have a shot at it. Let him make his own mistakes." I looked down for a second, before looking back up at him. "You are a great man. I can see that. I would do anything to have a father again. Please don't mess up your one chance with your son."

He didn't respond. He just stood there, looking at me with a blank expression. After a few seconds, he turned and left the room.

I slid back on the bed and laid down. I sighed heavily. He probably hates me by now for questioning his decisions. Maybe I shouldn't have crossed the line and question him so openly, but I was really curious about his motives. He seems like a nice man, but his values were all messed up. Also, his beliefs were a lot different than anyone I've ever known before.

Even though Carson would never admit it, I could see that this was getting to him. He felt guilty because his decision was tearing his family apart. He acts like it didn't bother him, but I know it did. It hurt me to see him in this condition.

To distract myself from thinking about it anymore, I turned on the television and continued skipping through the channels. Nothing good was on, so I turned it off again.

A few minutes later, Carson came and I was finally released. I got changed onto the clothes that Carson brought and we left the hospital.

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AN: Hola!

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Alecia