The Arranged Bride novel Chapter 33

Nick's POV

I parked the car in front of our house. Looking at Sophia, I found her staring off into the space. Getting out of the car I came to her side. I opened the door for her and that's when she noticed that we were home.

She looked at me blankly before placed her shaky legs out of the car . I instinctively placed a hand around her waist to steady her.

" Do you want me to carry you?" I wanted to carry her inside but I didn't know if she would be triggered by sudden touch. I questioned her because I didn't want to upset her by doing something against her wish . She gently shook her head .

" I'll walk ." Saying this she started taking small steps. I matched her pace , supporting her all the way to our room.

Without saying anything, she went inside the bathroom . After a minute I heard the shower start.

I stood there watching the closed bathroom door . There was an unknown uneasy feeling in my heart. It was like something heavy was placed on my chest but I couldn't trace it.

I went to take a shower in another room. After some twenty minutes when I returned, she was sitting on the bed looking at nothing in particular. She looked so scared. If anything, the uneasiness inside me increased on seeing her like this. I closed my eyes , took a deep breath and sat down on the bed beside her. There was dead silence in the room. As I placed a hand on her knee , she visibly flinched. I was hurt by her action but I knew that she was a bit traumatized. I withdrew my hand and carefully observed her.

I took out the antiseptic lotion from the adjacent drawer. As I was applying it on her bruises , water drops trickled down her cheeks to my fingers. I looked at Sophia to see her eyes clenched shut while tears rolled down.

" Are the bruises hurting ?" I worriedly asked. She shook her head in negative. She opened her eyes but didn't look at me.

" Sophia." I called softly but she didn't respond. Her eyes were trained on her lap.

" Look at me , please." I pleaded even more gently . She hesitantly looked up at me.

" What's it ?" I gently held her hand and squeezed it gently.

" I - I feel d-dirty." She stuttered and looked down. I frowned, not understanding what she said but then the realisation hit me hard. She was feeling dirty because of that ugly encounter. It was like something sharp was stabbed into my chest. I was the one who was supposed to protect her but I couldn't. It was all my fault. The guilt added to the weight in my heart.

I placed my fingers under her chin and lifted her face . She looked so vulnerable and scared. Her eyes showed the despair and insecurity of her heart. Tears that were clouding those beautiful grey eyes , that I have come to love so much were now flowing down. Using my thumb , I wiped those tears and stared at her face before taking her in a gentle kiss.