The Arranged Bride

Chapter - 40

Sophia's POV

I felt cold water being splashed on me.

I groaned and tried opening my eyes but couldn't. The last few days were were like a horrible nightmare. Sometimes, Christina even used to have one of the guys beat me until I was knocked out. I was always either in pain or was drowsy.

Suddenly a hard kick was delivered to my stomach but still, I couldn't move. Every part of body was aching. I peeled open my eyes to look at Christina looking down at me. She crouched down in front of me and fisted my hair in her hands. Pulling it harshly , she made me face her.

" Aww , look how pretty you look. " She cooed at me mockingly and within a second her face turned angry with pure hatred in her eyes.

" You know I would have loved to do a bit more damage to your pretty face which snatched Nick away from me. But you know, nobody would like their whore look uglier than you already are." By the end of the statement she was maniacally grinning. I was scared to the core by her words. Whore!? What was she going to do with me?

" A man will be coming to get you today." She enthusiastically said like someone was taking me to a candy store.

" You know you could-" a bang cut her off followed by some more. I was desperately hoping that Nick was here to save me. She swiftly turned back for a moment before pulling me up by my arms to stand up. As I was trying to process what was happening, someone burst in through the door.

" Nick." My voice came out as a whisper . I was exhausted beyond imagination but the sight of him standing in front of me, made me extremely happy. At one point , I thought that I would have never

seen him again . At that moment I realised how much I missed him , how much I longed to be with him, how much I love him.

" Sophia." His voice was pained like his expression. He was looking at my face , at my bruises. I was actually worried that he might not like me anymore because of how pathetic I look now.

Suddenly I was pulled by my arm towards Christina and I felt a cold metal pressing against my neck. Maybe I could have gotten myself out of her hold but I was too weak out of the beatings to use my self defence techniques. At this point I was just grateful that my mind was working properly.

Nick's eyes darted from my face to Christina's and they were immediately filled with rage. His jaw was clenched tight and so were his fists. The room was filled with cops.

" Christina, leave her." Nick spoke in a calm , threatening manner but I could see the vulnerability in his eyes, like he was trying hard to keep it all together.

" No, never. I was going to sell her away but now I will just kill her. " Her grip on my arms tightened even more.

" Christina-"

" I will kill her and then - then we can be together, Nick. I know you love me so much but - but this bitch ruined everything." She sounded crazy, she had lost her thinking abilities and was blinded by her obsession for Nick.

" Ms. Miller , I would advice you to put down the knife. The house is fully surrounded by our men. You can't escape. It's better that you surrender." One of the cops spoke to which she vigorously shook her head.

I didn't know what happened but the very next moment there was loud bang and Christina wasn't holding me anymore. Some cops rushed to hold her.

I was too weak to stand on my feet without support. I wobbled and was going to land on the floor when I was pulled into a strong chest. The familiar scent of Nick ,engulfed me.

" Sophia , baby , I am sorry for being so late. I am so fucking sorry." His voice was cracking slightly. The pain and guilt was evident in his voice.

He hugged me tight to him as if he was scared of loosing me . Although I was more than happy to be in his arms but I couldn't control the hiss that left my mouth because of the pain in my ribs when he pulled me close.

He moved a bit away to look at me with guilt in his eyes .

" You will be okay, Sophia. Hold on." I was scared that I may not make it and I wanted to confess that I love him but no words left my mouth, my throat dry and hurting.

I offered him a weak smile.

Picking me up bridal style , he started walking out of the room.

My eyelids were feeling heavy that I was struggling hard to keep them open.

" Stay awake baby. Don't close your eyes. " I tried keeping my eyes open but after a while I couldn't help . I was slipping into unconsciousness.

The last thing I was thinking that I was with Nick. I was safe.

.........

Nick's POV

I had never been more nervous than I was as we had reached the location. It was a small house. There were some guards which were tackled by the cops , some were shot in their hands and knees. Finally when we entered the room at the farthest end, the worst sight of my life welcomed me.

Sophia was standing there being held by Christina.

Never in my life had I expected to see Sophia in such a state. She had swollen, dark eyes. Blood had dried around her nose and lips. Her face had dark bruises all over, her clothes were torn and whatever bits of skin it showed were bruised as well.

" Nick." A soft whisper left her mouth which was almost inaudible and as weak as she looked.

" Sophia." I knew my voice gave away the pain that I felt. I could not have explained how painfully my heart constricted at the sight of her.

Within a snap of fingers , Christina pulled Sophia in front of her and held a knife to her neck. I looked into her eyes with rage and threatening manner but inside I was scared shit less. I was clenching my fist and jaws to hide my vulnerability rather than scaring her.

" Christina, leave her." I spoke in a calm , threatening manner but my heart was hammering hard against my chest.

" No, never. I was going to sell her away but now I will just kill her. " Her grip on Sophia's arms tightened even more. Sell her !? She was going to sell her?

" Christina-"

" I will kill her and then - then we can be together, Nick. I know you love me so much but - but this bitch ruined everything." She didn't sound normal. Her obsession for me was unhealthy. She could do anything right now and I was so worried for Sophia at that moment.

" Ms. Miller , I would advice you to put down the knife. The house is fully surrounded by our men. You can't escape. It's better that you surrender." One of the cops spoke to which she vigorously shook her head.

The very next moment, Christina was shot on the arm which was holding the knife. She stumbled back and the cops advanced to deal with her.

Sophia looked confused of what had happened. She looked at them and then her legs wobbled. Before she could fall , I held her in my arms and pulled her to my chest.

" Sophia , baby , I am sorry for being so late. I am so fucking sorry." My voice cracked at the end and I could have done nothing to hide it. I was feeling weak myself on seeing her like this.

I pulled her closer to me and took her in a tight embrace but the very next moment she hissed. I pulled away to look at her face and saw her face contorted in pain. A wave of guilt washed over me.

"You will be okay, Sophia. Hold on."

She offered me a small smile. I picked her up and carried her bridal style out of the place.

As I was walking, I saw her eyes closing .

" Stay awake baby. Don't close your eyes. " She tried opening her eyes only to close it again and blacking out completely.

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I was waiting outside the emergency unit for an hour now. I had called Dad and updated him. Hence, my whole family was here and so were Sophia's parents. Ryan was leaning against a wall with worry and concern strectched over his face while Charlotte was glaring at the floor.

The doctors still haven't given away anything. The only thing they told us was that her condition was serious.

I was standing alone immersed in my worries. Whenever my mind goes back to the incidents at the house, the knife held at her neck, I could feel my heartbeat increasing. One thing I realised standing here was that I could never imagine my life without her. Now that she was fighting for her life and I was standing here helplessly, I realised how important she is for me. Even the thought of losing her brought an unexplainable amount of agony in my heart. When all these days she was with me , I couldn't realise my feelings. But now I did.

I realized that I love her.