Valerie’s eyes fluttered open, meeting white walls. The smell of antiseptic filled the air; she was in the hospital.
There was bandaging wrapped around her waist and hand.
She moved, only to feel a hand hold hers. Her eyes met Rhea’s, who was sleeping with her head rested on the bed.
Valerie’s eyes softened. She slowly sat up, ignoring the pain that struck her waist, and gazed down at Rhea.
Her face was calm, dried tears visible. She must have scared her little bear. Valerie reached for the loose strands of Rhea’s hair, tucking them behind her ear.
Her light touch pulled Rhea out of her sleep, her eyes slowly fluttering open.
“Hey, babe,” Valerie drawled.
Rhea’s eyes slowly met hers; after three seconds, they immediately widened.
“Val?” she whispered, and Valerie smiled.
Rhea pulled her into a tight embrace. Valerie suppressed a wince.
“Val, you are alright!” Rhea cried out in a wracking voice, her body shaking in despair. “What in the world were you thinking, doing such a dangerous thing!”
Valerie felt a sting in her heart. She must have scared her so much.
“What if you got killed? Do you think I could take it?!” Rhea sobbed, her tears wetting Valerie’s hospital top. “I’m so mad at you right now. So mad that I can’t even smack your head until you realize how selfish you were!”
Valerie patted her back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Rhea broke the hug, wiping her own tears with the back of her hand. She hiccupped, gritting her teeth, and then hit Valerie’s chest.
“Ah, I knew that was coming,” Valerie muttered with a smirk.
“That’s not funny,” Rhea said, and Valerie’s smirk faded immediately.
“I’m deeply sorry, Momma,” Valerie said, staring at Rhea like a kid getting scolded.
“You have to promise me you’re never going to do something dangerous like that again,” Rhea urged.
Valerie pressed her lips together. She was planning to join Klaus’s clan in fighting the cruel bastards in the underworld.
Having avenged her uncle, the fight made her feel a little more alive. She wanted to destroy people like her uncle and save lives.
“Val,” Rhea called, snapping her out of her thoughts.
“Hm?” Valerie blinked, pressing her lips harder.
“You better not do what I’m thinking. I’m not letting you do that. You have no idea how scared I was when I heard you were hurt.”
Valerie sighed. “It’s just once in a while, and I promise not to do something this dangerous again.”
Rhea’s lips parted without a word.
“I need to save people, Rhea,” Valerie reached for Rhea’s hand. “I kind of liked what I did. But I promise you I’ll be fine no matter what… please.”
“Val…”
“Please, babe.”
Rhea clenched her jaw. “I’ll think about it. I’m not giving you permission, but I’ll think about it.”
Valerie nodded with a smile, drawing her close, in between her legs. She raised her hand to cup Rhea’s face.
“Smile,” Valerie’s thumb caressed her cheek. “Please don’t be upset.”
Rhea scoffed. “I should punish you for what you did. I’m going to ghost you for a week!”
As Rhea tried to leave, Valerie pulled her back. Rhea lost her balance, her lips crashing onto Valerie’s.
She froze, and Valerie used the opportunity to tease her with her lips, gently nibbling them and making her lose her senses.
Rhea’s eyes shut, returning the kiss and holding her face. This made Valerie smirk.
Ghost? Hell no, that ain’t gonna happen.
Morticia, who wanted to check on Valerie, paused at the sight and quickly left to give them their time. Her lips parted as she snickered.
Klaus, who had just finished talking to the doctor, met her.
“She’s awake,” Morticia said with a smile, and Klaus let out a breath of relief.
“That’s great.”
“What did the doctor say?” Morticia asked.
“She will be fine after enough rest,” Klaus replied, and Morticia grinned.
“She is already good,” Morticia said, recalling the scene of the two.
“I love your smile,” Klaus whispered, pulling her by the waist.
“Klaus,” Morticia whispered, her eyes darting around to check if anyone was watching.
Klaus pulled her waist closer, catching back her attention, then pressed his lips on hers.
Morticia lost it, as she had been craving him all along. She pressed her body closer, kissing him back with the same hunger.
Yesterday, this man had announced her to the world and then to the Moore family.
Cassian had been tortured to create an example for those thinking of messing with her in the future.
My wife. My woman. My world.
That’s what he had called her. She was now respected and was to be trained to protect herself too.
Both in danger and hell, this man would forever be the only one she’ll love until her last breath.
Her fingers tangled in his black hair. As they both became breathless, they pulled away.
Morticia heard giggles; only then did she realize someone was actually watching them. She glanced back-there were not just one, but several nurses and patients.
Morticia looked back at Klaus and saw the smirk on his face. Her cheeks burned red as she whispered,
“You…”
“The best husband in the world. Yeah, I know that,” Klaus completed, and Morticia clicked her tongue in disbelief.
“I love you,” Klaus whispered, pecking her forehead. The once-shyness disappeared, replaced by possessiveness.
Her man.
They both went to check on Valerie. A nurse was changing Valerie’s bandage while Rhea watched.
“Hey, guys,” Valerie greeted as they walked in.
“How are you feeling?” Klaus asked, his hand still wrapped around Morticia’s shoulder.
“Better,” Valerie replied, pausing in between. “Thanks for everything, Klaus.”
If it wasn’t for him, Valerie wouldn’t have been able to avenge herself and live with the trauma and unsettledness forever.
It was dark that she killed her uncle, but weirdly, she didn’t feel unsettled about it.
Morticia suddenly felt dizzy; it had been happening since yesterday, and she had tried to ignore it, blaming it on stress.
This time, her breath was uneven, but she tried her best to stay put.
“You okay?” Klaus asked; her pale face didn’t go unnoticed by him. When it came to Morticia, nothing escaped his notice.
“I’m just feeling dizzy; that’s…” That was all she could say when her eyes rolled back, passing out cold.
“Bunnie!” Klaus freaked out.