I just tried to ignore their questions and said “I am very tired, I want to sleep” I said and went to my bedroom. I locked my door and cried hard pressing my head in the pillow so that no one would hear my sobbing.
I had many thoughts in my mind “he did this to take revenge, first, he made me like him and then he left me there, he broke my engagement” I tried to think all negative things about him so that it would not hurt me, but still the pain in my hurt is not subsiding.
I know I don’t love him, I wanted to get out of that place then why am I behaving like this. I slept crying.
The next morning I woke up because of the knock on my door. When I opened the door there stood Malcolm, the moment he saw me he took me in a bone-crushing hug. I didn’t react at all like I didn’t have any energy in me. After a few minutes, he let me go and kissed me on my forehead.
He asked me “did he hurt you?” I was startled to hear him; I looked at him and asked: “you knew who did this”. He said “yes, I knew it that was the reason that I always insisted on having bodyguards around you”
I was looking at him and blurted out “then why didn’t you come to protect me?” Malcolm holds my both shoulder and said “I tried my best, but I was not able to trace your location” after saying this he started looking at me from top to bottom and then he sighs in relief and said ” I am glad he didn’t hurt you, otherwise I won’t be able to forgive myself”
Nancy’s POV
I told Malcolm to wait for me downstairs; I will come after I freshen up. I went downstairs and saw everyone waiting for me at the dining table for breakfast. I went there and sat silently and breakfast was served.
All were eating silently, Chris broke the silence asking “Nancy where were you?” I looked at him and for few seconds and said “I don’t want to talk about it”, Malcolm came to my rescue and said forcing a smile “Chris, why don’t we forget about it, we should be happy that we have our Nancy with us safe and sound”
Riya and Chris forced a smile in acceptance and didn’t drag it further and I felt relaxed. I just don’t want to talk about the past week. I don’t know why I don’t want them to know that I was with Owen and I also know we are not as powerful as Johnson’s so we won’t be able to fight.
He might hurt my little family so it’s better that I forget the incident and move ahead.
After having breakfast Angie went to her kindergarten and I, Riya, Malcolm, and Chris were sitting in the living room. Chris said “Malcolm and Nancy what I was saying; why not you guys get married, I mean you just skip your engagement get your marriage registered, then we all can fly back to NY and we can plan your wedding there”
My heart stopped beating; I know I agreed to marry Malcolm but now why I am feeling anxious.
Riya jumped in excitement and said “yes! It’s the best plan”. Malcolm had a smile from ear to ear and looked at me. I just smiled at him forcefully.
Chris added “but this time this news will be with us only, we will announce it to media after the marriage is registered, I don’t want any bad thing to happen again”
Malcolm agreed and said, “Yes, Chris I will go and get the available dates” saying that he walked out. He was about to reach to the door when I called him from behind walking towards him and said “I want to talk to you”
He nodded gently and we both walked to the garden in front of the house. We both sat on the bench and I said “Malcolm, are you sure you want to marry me? I …mean … When you know that I was kidnapped and was away with him for a week, are you not bothered if he raped me”
Malcolm turned towards me, took my both hands in his hands and said “Nancy, I know I cannot fight with him, I regret that I was not able to protect you, if he did something wrong to you, then you are not responsible for it….. it’s me because I am not strong enough to protect you and even if he did something wrong to you…Nancy, I love you not your body…for me what matters is you…I know this incident is not easy for you to forget but believe me I will make you forget every bitter memory” with that he placed a kiss on my forehead and left.
I sat there for a long time thinking how I am going to make this marriage work when I can’t even bear Malcolm’s touch. How long will his love last with my problem?
Nancy’s POV
After Malcolm left I went to my office and indulged myself in my work. I thought in this way I will be able to forget Owen and move ahead but nothing was helping.
It’s been two days and I haven’t seen any news about Owen. I was watching the news carefully only to see if there was any news about him, but all in vain.
I don’t know what happened that morning. I had observed a change in his behavior from one night early when he left me alone. He was spacing out continuously as if he was scared of something.
On the day when I had a headache, he carefully gave me medicine and took care of me, then what the hell happened that he left me there all alone without saying anything.