Chapter thirty eight:

"This is getting boring" Chloe spat, slapping me round the face harshly which I knew created an instant imprint across my face. Deciding to defocus my brain- I focused on what matters which is my Henry and Lily. The thoughts flooded back to me where I first held Lily in my arms and watched as Henry stared at her in adoration, a smile instantly tugging at his lips. The first time I laid my eyes on him even though I was saddened, I was overjoyed to see the man waiting for me at the alter. The first time we shared our first kiss; how our lips melted together like puzzle pieces.

All these memories- the good memories swirled in my brain which as if ignited a fire within me; the darkness slowly but surely slipping away. Overjoyed I continued focusing on these memories, not wanting to let go of their perfect faces that blessed my life indefinitely; I needed to see them again.

All of a sudden I began to gain feeling back into my once statue form; my fingers now twitching against the tight rope which I could now indicate as pain mixed with pins and needles. My eyelids twitched as my pupils moved side to side in an attempt to open them; my toes also now wiggling slowly against one another.

Finally, I was becoming aware of my own body again and I was for sure not going to let the darkness back in now. Continuing to fight for my life rather than let myself be drowned into it I opened my eyes hesitantly; meeting with three figures which was the two men from the other night and as I knew; Chloe herself.

"Ahh yes! Nice to see you awake Melanie" Chloe chirped with happiness. Grimly I began to shift my body in the chair; my joints aching against the constant position of my body. "Now.. I'm going to remove this cloth from your mouth. But make sure you be a good girl and don't make any noise, okay?" Eyeing her I watched as she removed the cloth; instantly my mouth closed together which was a massive relief; the cloth had made my jaw ache. "So I wanted to talk with you before we kill you"

Chloe paced around the chair slowly; before stopping in-front of me and crouching down so we were eye level. "Me and Henry are meant to be- we always have been. He is a good man, a good heart and well... great in bed" clenching my jaw together I reigned in my wanting speech. "We are end game Melanie. Nothing will change that"

I was more than angry; I was boiling with anger and I couldn't fathom how someone could be so cruel to go to these lengths- to kill me for a man who doesn't want her; it was rather sad in reality. "Henry will find me" I croaked, my voice was hoarse and dry. Melanie raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "How will he find you? And why would he find you? I've done him a favour. He never wanted to marry you anyway" clicking her tongue she span on her heel with her hands still clasped against one another "if Henry did for any reason come here it would be to rejoice in this sweet moment" gritting my teeth I shook my head; though the muscles in my neck were weak which made me instantly falter. "Henry loves me Chloe, you don't have to go to these lengths"

Pain overwhelmed my body, my chest ached with every slight movement rocketing my ribcage- my beating heart trying it's hardest to pump blood to my vital organs; I felt like I couldn't cling on for much longer whilst Chloe grinned at me like a Cheshire Cat "Aw Melanie you don't look so good, that's such a shame" I so badly wanted to try and escape but the rope burned against my wrists and all the muscles in my body were tight and fatigued- there was no way out of this. "I don't know what I would prefer, Putting you out of your misery right now... or watching you die painfully...all the questions" gulping back saliva I felt salted tears prick my eyes, feeling sadness wash over me like a heavy blanket. I wanted to see Henry and our daughter with every inch of me, I needed my family.

"I think the latter sounds preferable! Watch you die painfully- how fun" Chloe retorted, her lips curled into a genuine smile which cringed my soul; it was sickly and inhuman like. The two men snickered amongst one another as if this was some sort of game- their faces also resembling a sickening grin. "Do what you want Chloe but Henry will never want you" I grimaced; finding an ounce of strength I had left in my voice. Chloe pursed her lips together, her eyes darkening towards me "you're wrong" lightly laughing to myself I sighed aloud "oh am I? If he loved you so much then he would of gotten back with you after we released our story to the world- ever think about that?"

*slap* Chloe swatted her hand across my face again but this time it was more forceful which caused a ray of pain to cloud my cheek; it ached from the impact but I pushed back the pain and instead focused on my family. "You won't win this Chloe" I chortled, though I was very much feeling faint and dizzy- I didn't know how much longer I had before my body shut down on me. "Don't talk anymore you fucking slut" Chloe screamed in response, her demeanour changing to one which was full of anguish.

Henry POV

When me and Chloe dated she used to take us to this secluded log cabin; it was hidden from a mountain of terrain and tree's so it was pretty much our secret hideout; away from the press and away from day to day life. That is the only place I could think of Chloe being; with my wife and those thugs. Pushing my foot further on the gas pedal I sped up; nearing a corner down a country bend, whipping my steering wheel to the side I never lost my speed in an attempt to get there as quickly as possible.

The moonlight splashed against the rain puddles that covered most of the roads as it hammered down with no signs of stopping; The weather didn't phase me and nor did I care for my own safety. The crunching of sticks and crinkled mud shot through my eardrums as the car rolled across them- making my way further towards my desired destination. That's when I saw it, the small uncared for cabin that was a storm away from collapsing laid itself in-front of me, a small light shining from one of the windows; indicating that someone was inside. Grasping a gun in my pocket that my new security guard lent me I crept out my car slowly and carefully; in my other pocket was a sharpened knife. This time I would make sure I wouldn't lose.

Edging towards the door I felt my heart hammer erratically in my chest- adrenaline now taking over me which would only lead to silly mistakes so I tried my best to keep calm and focus on the reason why I was here; my Melanie.

A large, broad man which I recognised peeled themselves from the cabin, lighting up a cigarette from his pocket which illuminated the frosted air that surrounded us. Luckily I was crouched down and hidden at the side of the building so he couldn't see me- but this gave me an opportunity. Springing from my position I aligned the gun in his direction- he still hadn't noticed my presence which was favourable so I edged even closer with the gun clasped in my firm grip. "Don't move and I won't shoot" I spat harshly, my eyes digging holes into him due to the anger built up inside of me. The man coughed on his cigarette now turning to face me with his arms up in the air "listen, I don't want to kill you. I just want my wife" I stated firmly. The man nodded lowly- his arms lightly trembling from the nerves racing through his body. "I-I will go" nodding my head in agreement I watched the now 'tough man' flail like a child into the woods, not even attempting to look back towards me.

Perching my head towards the window I saw through the lightly dimmed room; Melanie was tied up to a chair; the rope creating harsh marks across her wrists from her struggled attempts. Chloe was tormenting her clearly; she wore a smug smile on her lips whilst the other man rested back with his foot upon the wall. Deciding to take a deep breath of air in I proceeded to the front door; the old tattered door almost falling off its hinges so I only gave it a light push which sent it flying open.

Chloe POV

"Have you stopped fighting yet Melanie, you can die now" I taunted, my fingers clasping around her face. "I won't die" she responded weakly but I could tell that it wouldn't be much longer. Blood was now spilling from her recent gun wound which was causing her great blood loss. "Oh is that so... have you noticed your wound has reopened Melanie?" I pointed towards near where her heart is which made Melanie freeze; her eyes watering in an instant. "N-no" Melanie croaked just above a whisper "my family" she said again but this time it came out more like a wail than anything. Scoffing I placed my sharped heels upon her thigh making her squirm, digging my foot deeper into her flesh. "It's been fun, don't get me wrong. Playing the villain and all. But Melanie" Grasping her face more tightly I looked into her solemn eyes "I have never been the true villain in this story. That is you. You took away my person" Melanie flinched as I placed more pressure into her thigh, the girl now writhing through extreme pain from multiple places. "You're just a little lost fawn who forgot her place, all you had to do was leave him alone"

"Leave me alone?" A familiar voice questioned, instantly the hairs on my body arose; knowing fully it was Henry. "Oh Henry!" I exclaimed, rushing over to him and instantly melting into his strong frame; though he didn't show any affection back so I was cuddling what felt like a statue. "Oh Chloe" He repeated though his tone was dark and spiteful. Frowning I pulled away from him, looking up and down his muscular body. "You finally came" I mumbled to myself, an instant blush overwhelming my cheeks. "I knew you would" Henry chuckled whilst shaking his head hastily "why would I come for you?" Gulping back saliva I looked upon him with utter confusion "Henry I did this for us!" Instead of a praise I was met with a punch in the face which struck my body to the floor- blood oozing from my nostrils. Henry had hit me which made Victor fume with anger and click his knuckles in anticipation.

Looking up at him with sorrow I began to sob lightly, not knowing why he was being so awful towards me. "I don't hit women, I never wanted to hit a woman but you fucked with my family Chloe and I'm not going to tolerate that" Henry then grabbed his gun, pointing it between myself and Victor who also paled in colour. "Tell him to back off, not to even try fight me" Henry spat as he looked over to Victor. I raised my hand in the air and nodded "d-don't do anything" but Victor didn't listen and instead raced over to him, flying a hard punch in his face; Henry wobbled lightly on the spot before throwing a punch back but it sounded like a crack was heard on Victor's face sending him instantly to the floor. Henry didn't stop, he began to kick him in the ribs and face, blood splatting up his clothes and face. "I told you to not even try. You fucked with my wife" Victor laid defenceless on the floor with his hands in the air "stay the fuck down. Or I will kill you and serve a prison sentence alongside you. I promise"

Henry then walked over to me, circling me as if he was a vulture and I was his prey- I had never seen him be so cruel before and it hurt my heart. Tears pooling from my eyes in desperation; wishing Henry would comfort me but instead his eyes were set on Melanie- weak and frail Melanie. What did she have that I didn't ?

"Now, the police are going to be here any minute so I suggest you give me my wife" Henry grimaced. "If you don't.. then there will be blood shed and I don't give a fuck who I kill in the process" Believing his words I began to untie Melanie's lifeless body- her arms now flopped to the sides. "Henry please, I love you" I croaked, my voice shaking with panic. Henry didn't respond to me and instead grabbed Melanie; cradling her in his arms with his gun still spinning between myself and Victor. "You ever come near my family again and I swear you won't be breathing to tell the story"

Henry POV

I finally had Melanie back; though this time she seemed even more sick than before and I knew I would be a very lucky man if she came out of this alive. Kicking open the half closed door I walked back towards my car- putting Melanie inside gently. The familiar blue lights broke up the darkness around us as they pulled up, guns in hand as they edged towards the same building I had just come from. I told them everything; how Chloe most likely plotted this and the location of where she may be. Luckily it didn't take too much convincing and here they now are- arresting two of the most vile people I had ever laid my eyes on.

Dragging out Chloe first I saw how she kicked and swatted the officers away but it was no use, she was screaming and sobbing trying to get away but most sickly of all-she was looking at me the entire time as if to say 'help me'

"Henry- please think about what you're doing" Chloe cried as she was placed harshly in the police car. A smug smile toying at my lips knowing she was finally going somewhere she deserved- I don't even know what I saw in her in the first place, If you would even call it love. An ambulance crew then rushed over sharply- grasping Melanie and placing her on a gurney; they crowded around her immediately which only added further worry to my brain.

Melanie most likely will not survive this

Authors note:
Thank you to everyone who has read my story, I have genuinely appreciated it so much. Those who vote and comment influence me to write more so if I experience a plateau with writing and I see interaction it makes me want to get down to it and upload some chapters! 😂- so please if you have enjoyed my story thus far could you please if you haven't already voted, commented or even follow me. I would be very grateful. This story is near its end- so please keep your eyes peeled for the sequel.