Married To A Monster's Shadow

gained consciousness. My head throbbed, a dull, insistent ache behind my e

iliar voice, warm and laced wi

o composed, was etched with worry. He was sitting besid

roak, my throat dry and ra

gallery opening. Someone called 911." His gaze dropped to my arm, then my abdomen

. Dahlia's predatory eyes. The stares. The humiliation. The pushing. The knife. The searing pa

l shudder that wracked my entire frame. The sheer terror of that night, the u

You're safe." He looked at me, his eyes filled with a fierce pr

pered, my voi

ing, Erin. Every single word she said, every order she gave to those monsters

rested. The woman who orchestrated my public humiliation and horrific ass

The last coherent memory I had was of him, standing over

but he was in the next room with Dahlia while it happened. And he did nothing to stop it."

hrough my fragile resolve. While I was fighting for my life, being drugged and pho

k pictures. They said they were going to auction them on the dar

d. "We know. And we stopped i

asked, c

buy time. He told me he couldn't let those images of you be out there, Erin." Hudson paused, his gaze softening slightly. "He's a mes

could almost hear his frantic voice, his desperate pleas. But all I saw was his face, cold and

augh escaped my lips. "He's a mess, is he? Good for him. I don't care." My vo

cting, Erin. His career is in ruins. The gallery opening was a disaste

"He lost his career. I almost lost my life. And my dignity." I picked up my phone, scrolled thr

itant. "He really did. He paid a fortune for those photos. H

ne. "His actions that night spoke louder than any words, any grand gestures now. He

t through the quiet of my room. A nurse quickly muted it, but not before I caught a glimpse of the headline: "

of events," the "downfall of a celebrated artist." They showed blurry photos of Dahlia being led away in handcuffs. Th

an empty space where my heart used to break f

n said, breaking the silence. "He's outside, i

" My voice was cold, unwavering. "Tel

already did. He won't go. He says he ne

nding over me, with Dahlia by his side, was burned into my memory.

urvived. I would heal. And I would rebuild my life, withou

ked, my voice flat. "What

tempted blackmail. Given the premeditation, the drugging, and the intent to distribute the illicit phot

rd a whisper. "She des

new dawn. A new life. It wouldn't be easy. The scars would remain. But I w

. "Hudson," I said, a faint smile touch

ways, Erin. Always." He stood up, giving my hand one last squeez

battle had been won. And I was ready for the next. I was ready for anything. And Evan Briggs, the man who had loved an