Chapter 40

“Have you lost your mind? She’s just 17!”

David raged as he glared at his son who was sitting on the couch with his head down. Matteo curled his fingers in a tight fist while he closed his eyes tightly, frustrated with everything.

“It will be just titular, Dad. Besides we have decided to tie the knot on her 18th birthday which is after two days. Then we both we’ll be legal to get married.” Matteo retorted; his pitch was low as he tried to make him understand.

Olivia, her mother took a seat beside him and placed her hands on his shoulder, “Matt, it’s not about being legitimate, it’s that marriage is a very big step. We can’t take such hasty decisions based on your fondness. You can take your relationship to another level, and advance your friendship by being her boyfriend. That’s it. But marrying her to protect her from Damien Knight is absurd. Also, whatever happened last night, I would advise you to reconsider your decision.” Her tone turned rough by the last, telegraphing her disapproval.

David also supported his wife, “I have a reputation, Matt and you’re my only son. I have so many dreams for you. You do know I won’t compromise with your future or your studies. You need to concentrate on your career, right now. The same goes for Emmaline too. I can understand whatever transpired last night had taken a toll on her mind and had scared her. But I can’t let you sacrifice everything to save her. Be mature and think rationally.” He spat.

“FUCK!!”

Matteo let out a frustrated growl and jumped from the couch, “What’s the matter with you two? Can’t you understand the gravity of the situation? If you love her and have no objections to my relationship with her then why are you creating a fuss over a damn marriage? If you care about your reputation then I care about her too. I prioritize her over everything. She needs me Dad, she has no one.” He said and walked towards David who was glowering at him.

“Dad, this marriage will save her from Damien who is after her like a mad dog. Once Emmaline becomes mine, he’ll stop bothering her.”

David grabbed his right forearm in a vice grip as he shouted, “Do you even realize what you’re saying? How would I be able to confront the world? As I said I have no problem with Emma but you aren’t fit for marrying someone? You haven’t even completed your graduation neither you have acquired the age of taking this huge responsibility. That Damien is a business mogul while you are nothing, Matt. You have just begun crawling on the path which he had already conquered.”

Matteo turned silent. His father’s words stabbed his heart.

David noticed the hurt in his eyes but still, he continued, “Truth is always bitter, son. I supported you to protect Emmaline and started the war with Knight Corporation by issuing a warrant against their CEO. You do know that this could have a major impact on my company because I chose this rivalry. In fact, now I think we unnecessarily got dragged into this mess when the truth was something else.” He said with a grimace.

Matteo turned stiff at his words, “What do you mean by that, Dad? Don’t tell me you’re regretting your action. That bastard was assaulting her.”

“Well, it didn’t look like that, Matt.”

Olivia spoke after a long time and stood up. Matteo turned to her only to find her scowling at him, “Detective Joseph told us everything. You jumped into the scene after his signal so don’t feed us this bullshit. Why the hell Damien was trying to console her if he was assaulting her? Why Emmaline was crying like a weakling and not breaking his bones considering her personality? Why she looked so guilt-stricken when you brought her home? If she isn’t at fault why she is behaving so recklessly and not giving her statement to the cops? Why is she pushing you for being her shield?” she snapped at him.

Her words rendered him silent. Matteo opened his mouth to refute but couldn’t find the right words to defend Emmaline. His parents’ words threw him into a dilemma but he couldn’t understand the reason behind their resentment towards Emmaline.

“Weren’t you happy with Emmaline, Mom? What changed your mind all of a sudden? Are you judging her by last night’s actions?” He straightaway questioned, tired of this debate.

Olivia looked down and exhaled loudly, “I don’t know Matt all right? Her scandalous affair, the testaments of the police, and her mysterious life had started troubling me. I think she is not what we think of her. Why such a business tycoon would fall so badly for her? I know she is beautiful, intelligent, and a good girl but she doesn’t fit his standards. Damien Knight is a playboy but he was into women, Matt while Emma is just a teen, a normal college student. On top of that, she is an orphan, lives by herself, and is not even wealthy. I refuse to believe that he got enamored by her simplicity or beauty considering what kind of a womanizer and arrogant jerk he is.” She spoke.

Matteo growled, “Her rejection dented his pride Mum that’s why-”

“But there is a limit to everything, Matt.” David intervened, “That man abducted her from her apartment and captivated her in a dungeon. Can you imagine? He could have caged her in his mansion or a warehouse but he locked her in a cave that too in the midst of a forest. Anything could have happened? The police had found rusty iron chains and hooks there. Who chains a girl just because she rejected him? Damien Knight isn’t a psychopath and if he is, do you remember Emmaline’s bloody hands? That means she fought with him but the police found no signs of injuries on Damien or on her then how come she bruised up her hands this bad? Also, there were blood patches on the wall, and holes on the wall as if someone had punched them. And on top of that, the chains were broken?”

Olivia gasped at the shocking information, “BROKEN? How come one breaks the iron fetters? Humans don’t hold this much power.”

She ran to David and grabbed his hand, fear was evident in his eyes, “Don’t tell me she broke those chains? That’s impossible David. What’s the truth, tell me.” She started nagging him but Matteo paid no heed to her words. He froze on spot, his eyes widening in shock as David’s words replayed in his head.

“Do you know remember Emmaline’s bloody hands?”

“The police found no signs of injuries on Damien then how come she bruised up her hands this bad?”

‘Her hands, they were injured?’

Indeed. Matteo recalled her bringing her home with her hands bleeding profusely. Her skin was slashed in various places. The wounds on her hand looked extremely painful. Even a man couldn’t bear the pain but she didn’t even wince. Not for once.

Maybe the trauma was so severe that she couldn’t feel the pain but now that was the least of his worries. What really started to bother him was when he found her in the bathroom, her arms were injured but…

her hands were perfectly fine.

*****