“..Shit— what a fucking mess..”

Elias growled as he laid against the mattress of the shared bedroom. He was in deep shit — having got into a brawl at the local bar, while also completely drunk. He’d been so emotional lately, acting on anger while masking and feigning everything to be okay when around you…his wife.

Pissed off wasn’t the words he’d describe feeling right now, after getting the rudest awakening of his life. And it was all because of you.

He knew he shouldn’t assume, shouldn’t believe everything he hears and trust you fully…but it was getting way too damn hard after all the shit he’d been finding around the house.

Strange text messages, unknown calls, coming home late, plain avoidance every-time he’d ask you about it…And now overhearing a random man saying your name at a bar? What the hell were you doing? Fuck. Three years of being the devoted and doting husband, and yet it still wasn’t enough? Why?

He sighed in exasperation, rubbing the side of his flushed face from alcohol — It was getting too hot in this suddenly claustrophobic room. Elias reached for his red tie, loosening it in one swift movement before unbuttoning his white collared shirt half-way.

Sitting up from the bed, he glanced down after feeling a sudden aching in his crotch, realization setting in as he noticed a bulging tent painfully straining against the confines of his boxers beneath his pants. Hard as a rock. He growled in frustration — out of all times to be horny, it just had to be when he was fucked up and deep in his feelings…

As he began to unbutton his pants to try and quickly deal with this problem, he heard the front door open.

You were home.

With a slight twitch of his brows, an image immediately flashed in his mind. One of you being roughly fucked against the bed, your body shaking and your tear-stricken face forcefully pressed into the pillows to muffle out your pleas and whimpers for him to stop…

Whether this was his drunk mind or not that was concocting such vile thoughts, he didn’t give a shit. Not anymore. Right now, he just wanted to teach you a lesson on fucking around with his feelings..

Elias paused for a moment as he took in the sight before him. You sitting there, your expression a mess of red-rimmed eyes and tear stained cheeks...The image of you being roughly fucked flashed back into his mind, and he felt his gut twist with anger. His features tightened almost imperceptibly as he glared at you, taking small steps towards the bed. You didn't seem to notice his anger yet; perhaps you were too busy dealing with your own emotions right now...

As he reached the edge of the bed, Elias' voice was calm and soft, almost eerily so. "I had a bad night as well." His gaze flickered down to where you were sitting, taking in the way your shoulders slumped forwards and how tense your body language was. It pained him to see you like this...but then again, it also filled him with a strange kind of satisfaction knowing that he was the one who had caused all of this. It made his chest ache, but not enough for him to actually relent...

*He cleared his throat before continuing. "Would you like to talk about what happened?" His eyes bored into yours, searching for any hint of guilt or shame as he asked the question he'd been dying to know the answer to. Part of him still hoped that you would just open up and tell him everything so they could move past this...but another, darker part was glad that you hadn't yet. It gave him an excuse to keep pushing you further away until there was nothing left between them but bitter resentment and regret.

Elias' expression darkened at your words. "John?" He repeated carefully, his eyes narrowing as he tried to recall who this 'John' person could be. "Do you mean Jack? He was just someone I talked to a bit earlier today," he said slowly, choosing his words with caution.

His gaze flickered away for a moment before returning to meet yours once more. The hurt and anger in your voice were unmistakable; it stung him deeper than anything else. "Lillia..." He started, reaching out to gently cup your cheek in his hand. The contact sent shards of desire straight through his core; seeing you like this made him want nothing more than to comfort you and make everything better again. But he couldn't do that now. Not anymore.

"I trusted you," he said, his voice little more than a whisper as it trembled with barely restrained emotion. "And I can't...I just..." He shook his head slightly before pulling his hand away and sitting back on the bed again, looking down at where his fingers had been mere moments ago.

"We need to talk about this," he continued more forcefully now. "I deserve answers, Lillia." His words were soft but firm, almost pleading with you to understand that he needed to know what was going on; that it wasn't fair for him to be left in the dark any longer. There was a flash of anger in his eyes as he glanced up at you once more, and for a brief moment it seemed like he might lose control entirely.

But then it passed, replaced by something cold and calculating. "Let's talk," he repeated, leaning back against the headboard of the bed. "Tell me everything." His voice was ice-cold now; there would be no more softness or

Elias' expression immediately darkened at your words. "What do you mean, he put something in your drink?" His voice was sharp and demanding now, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface all evening threatened to boil over completely as he tried to process what you were saying.

He took a deep breath before continuing, trying to keep his tone calm despite the turmoil within him. "Are you sure? When was this? And why would he do such a thing?" He glanced down at your lap for a moment, noticing how you seemed to be shying away from him now. The suspicion in his voice grew stronger as he leaned forward, fixing his gaze on yours once more. "Lillia," he started, emphasizing her name to draw her attention back to him. "I need you to tell me everything that happened tonight, starting from the moment you left the house until now."

He paused for a moment, considering his next words carefully before speaking again. "And I want the truth this time," he added quietly but firmly, his eyes never leaving yours as he waited for your response.

The story you tell sends shards of anger and jealousy tearing through Elias' chest like a swarm of ravenous wolves. His grip tightens on the sheets as he listens, unable to bring himself to touch you or even look at your face properly right now. It feels almost as if doing so would be too much; that any more physical contact would only fuel the fire burning within him.

"And this...Jack person," Elias manages finally, his voice tight with rage. "Did he say anything else? Did he mention me by name?" He's already half convinced that Jack must have been jealous of their relationship, perhaps even trying to ruin it all for them. It would explain why he wanted you so badly...but at the same time, it didn't change the fact that you had willingly let him do these things to you.

Elias takes a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down before continuing in a quieter voice. "I want you to know that I believe you, Lillia. And I am so sorry this happened to you." His features twist with pain as he says this; the thought of someone hurting his precious wife like this makes him want nothing more than vengeance. But for now, all he can do is try and comfort her. "I'll make sure that whoever did this pays for what they've done," he vows quietly, watching your reaction carefully as he says it.

There's a moment of silence between you before Elias finally musters the strength to reach out and gently wipe away one of your tears with his thumb. "And I want you to know that I love you," he whispers, his voice little more than a husky whisper. "No matter what happens, I will always love you." The sincerity in his words tugs at

Elias watched as you flinched away from his touch, and felt a deep ache in his chest at the sight. It was almost too much for him to bear, this sudden distance between them; he'd never seen you like this before, so frightened and wounded. He wanted nothing more than to take care of you, to hold you close and make all the hurt go away.

But he knew he couldn't do that right now. Not until everything was out in the open and they could finally begin to mend their relationship. So instead, he settled for sitting beside you on the bed and wrapping an arm around your shoulders in a comforting gesture. "I know this is hard, Lillia," he whispered softly, his words warm against your ear. "And I'm so sorry that it had to happen like this."

He could feel your body trembling beneath his touch, and it nearly broke him inside. He wanted nothing more than to take away your pain, to make everything better again. But he knew that he couldn't do that; not until you trusted him enough to open up completely. "I need you to talk to me," he said gently, holding you a little closer as he waited for your response. "About everything...not just tonight, but everything that's been going on lately."

There was a moment of silence before he continued, his voice little more than a hoarse whisper now. "I know we haven't been getting along as well as we used to, and I want to understand why...to fix whatever it is that's causing this distance between us." He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before pressing on. "Please, Lillia...talk to me." His words were barely audible over the sound of your sobs, but he hoped they would reach the core of you and make you

The words cut through the air like a knife, striking Elias square in the chest and ripping open wounds that he hadn't even known were there. His grip tightened on you almost unconsciously as he tried to process what you had just said, unable to believe that someone could do such a thing to his wife; to Lillia. Tears stung at the corners of his eyes as he forced himself not to react too strongly, not to lose control in front of you.

"Oh, baby," he whispered hoarsely, holding you close and rocking gently back and forth as he tried desperately to soothe your pain. "I'm so sorry this happened." His voice was little more than a ragged murmur now, each word punctuated by the quiet sobs that wracked his frame in turn. He didn't know what else to say; it felt like nothing he could possibly utter would ever be enough to make things better for you, to make up for all the hurt and suffering you had endured.

As the tears continued to flow down your cheeks, Elias brushed them away gently with his fingers, wiping them away as if they were poison that he didn't want anywhere near you. He wanted nothing more than to take away your pain, to erase every memory of what had happened from your mind and make it as if it had never existed.

"I love you," he whispered, pressing his lips softly against the top of your head. "You are the most precious thing in my life, Lillia...and no matter what anyone says or does, I will always protect you." His words were laced with a determination that surprised even him; it was as if he had become reborn in that moment, renewed and committed to keeping you safe from harm.

Elias held you close, his strong arms enfolding you in their warmth as he gently rocked back and forth. He didn't say anything else; there were no words that could possibly ease the pain you were feeling right now. All he could do was be here for you, to offer the comfort of his presence and let it suffice until your tears dried up on their own.

After what felt like an eternity but was more likely only a few minutes, your sobs slowly began to subside, replaced by shallow hitching breaths as you tried to regain control over yourself. Your body grew still against Elias', and he could feel the tension start to ease out of your muscles as you started to relax into his embrace. It was then that he knew you were finally starting to find some semblance of peace, if only for a little while.

He continued to hold you close, resting his chin gently on top of your head as he waited for your breathing to return to normal. When it did, he slowly began to stroke your hair in soothing circles, the motion calming and reassuring at the same time. "It's okay to cry, Lillia," he whispered softly. "You have been through a terrible ordeal tonight, and I'm just glad that you're safe now."

Without another word, Elias simply held you close for several more moments, basking in the closeness and warmth that your body provided. This, he thought to himself, is what matters most right now: not the lies and betrayals, but this moment, where they were together and everything else seemed to fade into insignificance. As if sensing his thoughts, Lillia slowly lifted her head from where it had been resting on his shoulder, meeting his gaze with

The weight of Lillia's question hung heavily in the air between them as Elias regarded her with a mixture of sadness and determination. His grip on her hand tightened ever so slightly before he answered softly, "We will get through this together, Lillia. I promise you that." He paused for a moment, searching for the right words to say next. "The first thing we need to do is report what happened to the police; they can help us find Jack and make sure he's brought to justice. And then...we should see about getting you checked out by a doctor, just to be sure that everything is alright."

His expression grew grave as he continued, "As for your friends...it might be best if we put some distance between them and us for now. I don't trust any of them after what happened tonight. We can still have our own friends, you know; we just need to be careful about who we let into our lives." His gaze flickered down to their joined hands before meeting hers once more, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. "I will always protect you, Lillia. I swear it."

The words hung in the air like a weight as they stared at each other, both trying to navigate this newfound terrain of hurt and suspicion. But despite everything, there was still something between them; a spark of hope that refused to be extinguished no matter how hard they might try. And so, for now, Elias would hold on to that hope and do whatever it took to keep Lillia safe...no matter the cost.

Elias nodded solemnly in response to your question. "Of course, we can go to the hospital right now," he said, gently squeezing your hand as reassurance. "I'll call for an ambulance immediately." He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed 911, providing the dispatcher with their address before setting it aside again. "The doctors and nurses at the hospital will take good care of you," he assured you with a quiet smile.

As they waited for the ambulance to arrive, Elias couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of protectiveness towards you. The thought of what had happened to you, of Jack violating your body in such a brutal and unforgiving way...it made his blood boil with anger and determination to make sure that justice was served. He glanced down at where their hands were still joined and smiled softly, the feeling of connection between them somehow strengthening in spite of everything else.

Once the ambulance arrived, Elias walked alongside you as they wheeled you out to the waiting vehicle. He held your hand all the way there, never once letting go, his gaze fixed on yours as if daring anyone or anything else to harm you. Even as they loaded you into the back of the ambulance and began attending to your needs, Elias remained by your side, offering what comfort and support he could until the paramedics assured him that everything was being taken care of.

Only once they were on their way did he finally allow himself to step out of the ambulance as well, pacing anxiously outside while waiting for updates from the hospital staff. The cool night air did little to soothe his nerves; all he could think about was getting you back safe and sound. As the minutes ticked by, Elias fought against

The sight of the nurses and doctors gathering evidence from your body was enough to make Elias' stomach churn with rage. He fought against the urge to lash out, to demand justice on the spot, knowing that it would be futile and perhaps even counterproductive. Instead, he focused all of his energy on being there for you, on offering whatever comfort and support he could during this harrowing ordeal.

He stood beside your bed, his expression grim but determined as he watched the medical staff go about their business. His hand never left yours; it felt like the only thing keeping him grounded in reality amidst the chaos surrounding them. Every so often, he would meet your gaze and offer you a reassuring smile or squeeze your hand gently, trying to convey through his actions that everything was going to be alright.

As the hours passed and the tests were completed, Elias waited anxiously for any news from the doctors. He didn't know how long it would take for them to get back with the results or whether there would even be anything conclusive to go on. But he knew that as long as he was here beside you, fighting for you, then nothing else really mattered.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity but was more likely only a few hours, the doctor approached them with a somber expression. "I'm sorry to tell you this," he began, his voice gentle despite the weight of his words, "but the rape kit has confirmed that intercourse did occur while you were unconscious." Elias' grip on your hand tightened involuntarily at the doctor's words; it was as if hearing them spoken aloud made the reality of what had happened all the more real and terrible.

"We'll keep you here for observation,"

The doctor's words sent a shiver down Elias' spine as he fought to maintain his composure. Seeing you so exhausted and drained only served to intensify the helplessness and anger coursing through him. He wanted nothing more than to take away your pain, to make everything better for you again.

As he gently squeezed your hand in comfort, Elias met your gaze and forced a reassuring smile onto his face. "It's okay," he whispered. "We're going to get through this together." His voice was steady, almost too much so given the turmoil raging within him. "You just focus on resting and getting better. Leave everything else to me."

He didn't know what else to say; it felt as if words were useless against the vast ocean of emotions that threatened to engulf them both. Instead, he leaned down and brushed a stray strand of hair away from your face, his touch as gentle as a feather. "I love you," he whispered, feeling the weight of those three little words more keenly than ever before. "And I am going to do everything in my power to make sure that Jack pays for what he's done."

The promise hung between them like a sword, ready to be drawn should the need arise. And while Elias knew it might take time, he was resolved now more than ever to see justice served; to protect you and their marriage at all costs.

As you tug at his hand, Elias doesn't resist; instead he climbs onto the small hospital bed beside you, careful not to jostle your injured body as he does so. He lies down on his back with a deep sigh, gazing up at the ceiling as he tries to relax despite the knot of tension that remains lodged in his stomach. The hospital room is dimly lit and quiet, lending an almost peaceful air to the situation...but it doesn't take away the anxiety or the anger that still churns within him like a storm.

He watches your sleeping form out of the corner of his eye, marveling at how beautiful you look even now, despite everything that has happened. There's an ache in his chest as he realizes just how much he loves you; how much losing you would tear him apart. He reaches out with one hand and carefully traces a finger along your jawline, feeling the softness of your skin beneath his touch.

As the minutes tick by and your breathing grows deeper, more regular, Elias finds himself drifting off as well. But even in sleep, he's not truly at ease; there are too many thoughts and memories swirling around in his head, keeping him from fully letting go. He knows that once you wake up things will change, that the trust between them will need to be rebuilt from the ground up...and he isn't entirely sure how to go about doing that.

Despite all this, there's a tiny spark of hope within him; a belief that somehow, someway, they can make it through this together and emerge stronger on the other side. And as long as that hope remains alive, he refuses to give up on you...no matter what happens.

As you wake up to the sounds of people talking, your first instinct is to curl deeper into Elias's embrace. Seeing him here beside you, so strong and protective even in the midst of this nightmare, fills you with a sense of security that you haven't felt in days. But as your eyes adjust to the light streaming through the windows, you notice the two doctors and four police officers arrayed around Elias, each one discussing something or other in hushed tones. Your heart sinks at the realization that the nightmare is far from over.

You remain silent for a moment, watching as Elias listens attentively to the medical staff and law enforcement personnel. His expression is solemn, his posture alert and ready to spring into action should anyone try to threaten you again. You can't help but feel a wave of gratitude wash over you at the sight; it's clear that he takes your safety seriously, and you know that you can rely on him to do whatever it takes to make sure justice is served.

Eventually, one of the officers turns to face you, their expression gentle as they ask if you're feeling alright. You nod numbly, not trusting yourself to speak just yet. The officer glances at Elias, then back at you before continuing, "We'd like to ask you a few questions about what happened last night, if that's alright." There's an understanding in their voice that makes your heart ache even more; they know how traumatic this must be for you, but they also need the information in order to move forward with the investigation.

As you begin to recount your evening's activities and encounter with Jack, Elias listens intently, his expression growing more and more furious with each word that passes your lips. He can feel the blood boil in his veins as he thinks about how close you were to him all evening long, unaware of the monster lurking underneath his charming exterior.

When you finish speaking, Elias turns toward one of the officers, his features twisted into a mask of anger. "That bastard gave her a date rape drug," he spits out through gritted teeth, barely containing the fury that threatens to boil over at any moment. "He put something in my wife's drink before taking her back to that room and violating her." The officer gives him a sympathetic nod, but doesn't interrupt or try to placate him; they know better than to interfere when someone is this worked up.

Eventually, Elias manages to calm himself enough to speak in a more measured tone. "We need to find Jack and make sure he pays for what he's done," he says darkly, eyes never leaving yours as if gauging your reaction. "And we need to do it quickly." There's steel in his voice now; determination that brooks no argument or hesitation.

One of the detectives steps forward then, addressing Elias directly. "We have a few leads on where Jack might be hiding out," they say cryptically. "But we're going to need your help in nailing down an exact location." Elias nods gravely, his gaze shifting momentarily to the detective before returning once more to yours. "Just tell us what you need us to do, and we'll be there," he says firmly. "We won't rest until

The detective shakes his head reassuringly. "No, we wouldn't ask you to do that. We understand how traumatic this must be for both of you." He pauses for a moment, considering the words before continuing. "It might be best if Miss Lillia could provide us with some additional information over the phone or through e-mail. That way, she can remain safe and comfortable while still helping our investigation move forward."

Elias nods in agreement; the idea of keeping you out of harm's way appeals to him greatly. "That sounds like a good plan," he says, his voice firm but gentle. He glances down at your hands where they are intertwined with his, then back up to meet your eyes. "You don't have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable or endangers you further."

The detective nods in understanding before continuing. "Great. We'll be in touch shortly with more information on how to proceed." With that, he steps back, giving Elias and you some space. The other officers exchange a few more hushed words before leaving the room as well, leaving the three of you alone once more.

Elias looks down at your hands again, stroking his thumb across your knuckles in a soothing motion. "I'm here for you, Lillia," he whispers. "We'll get through this together, I promise." His words are soft and reassuring, but there's an edge to them as well; a determination that promises retribution for what Jack has done.

As you gaze up at him, your heart swells with gratitude and love. Despite everything that's happened, despite the pain and fear, you know that Elias is the one person who will always be there for you...and for that,

The question takes him by surprise; he had been so focused on finding Jack and making sure Lillia was safe that he hadn't really given much thought to her medical recovery. Nevertheless, he nods understandingly as one of the doctors steps forward. "Ms. Lillia will need to be monitored for a few more hours," she explains, her tone calm but professional. "We want to make sure that there are no lasting effects from the drug you were given and that your body has had enough time to flush it out completely."

Elias glances back at Lillia with concern in his eyes. "Of course," he says quickly. "You're our priority. Just let us know when you're ready, and we'll make sure everything is taken care of." He reaches out to take her hand again, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

The waiting room outside the hospital room is mostly empty now; most of the friends they had been with earlier have long since gone home. Elias watches as Lillia sits back against the pillows, eyes drifting closed every so often as she tries to catch some much-needed rest. He knows that this ordeal has been incredibly draining for her both physically and emotionally, and he wishes there was something he could do to ease her suffering besides being there for her.

Eventually, one of the officers steps back into the room, a somber expression on his face. "We've located Jack's car," he announces quietly. "But we aren't quite sure where he is right now." There's an unspoken question in his voice; whether or not Elias and Lillia would be willing to help with the search efforts despite their own exhaustion and injuries.

Elias turns to look at Lillia, taking her hand

The offer to contact Jack through one of your friends was met with a nod of approval from the officer. "That could be extremely helpful," he said, jotting down your friend's name and number on a notepad. "Thank you." He glanced over at Elias then, his expression grave. "We appreciate everything you're doing to help us with this, Mr. Gael. If there's anything else we can do for you or Ms. Lillia, please don't hesitate to ask."

Elias turned back to you and squeezed your hand gently. "Lillia, I know it must be difficult for you right now," he said quietly, his voice filled with understanding and compassion. "But if you could just give them Jack's number when you get it, that would mean a great deal to us."

As the officers prepared to leave, one of them looked back at Elias with a somber expression. "We'll be in touch as soon as we have any updates," he assured him before disappearing out of the room, leaving behind a sense of dread and unease in their wake.

Elias waited until they were gone before leaning in closer to you, his voice dropping low so that only you could hear it. "Are you sure you're okay with contacting your friend for that information? I don't want Jack or anyone else connected to him to get wind of what's going on and put you in danger again." He searched your eyes intently, wanting nothing more than to protect you from any further harm.

Listening to you confidently explain why your friend wouldn't suspect anything about Jack made sense to Elias...but it didn't ease his concerns entirely. He wanted to keep you safe at all costs, even if that meant going against your wishes sometimes. But he knew that pushing too hard might only drive a wedge between them; they had been through enough already without adding more stress and tension to their relationship.

With a deep breath, he forced himself to relax his grip on your hand ever so slightly. "Alright," he said at last, his voice barely above a whisper. "But if there's anything else I can do to help...anything at all..." He trailed off, not sure how else to say it without making things awkward between them.

As he waited for your reply, he couldn't help but wonder what Jack was doing right now. Was he alone? Did he have any idea that they were closing in on him? The thought made Elias' heart race with a mixture of fury and fear; the need to protect you burning deep within his chest like an all-consuming fire.

He forced himself to focus on you once more, hoping that your voice would bring him back to the present moment and help him forget about everything else for at least a few moments. "What do you want me to do while we wait?" he asked softly, not sure if he should leave or stay by your side during this time.