Chapter Six: The Day Fear Changed Sides
The doors burst open.
The sound was so violent it sliced through my fading awareness like thunder. Even in my dizzy state, I felt it—the sudden drop in the room's temperature, the sharp intake of breath from everyone present.
Andre.
I couldn't see him clearly. My vision swam, colors bleeding into each other, faces melting into shadows. My head felt too heavy for my neck, my body numb yet burning from the inside.
The poison was stronger this time.
My heart thudded unevenly, like it was struggling to remember how to beat.
But I could hear.
And I could feel.
Andre's presence crashed into the room like a storm held too long behind closed doors.
Silence followed him.
Pure, choking silence.
"What," he said quietly, "did you do to my wife?"
That word—wife—sent a weak shiver through me. Even through the fog, it grounded me. Anchored me.
My knees buckled. Raymond's grip loosened as I fell down…
Strong arms caught me before I hit the floor.
Andre.
"Sarah," he murmured, pressing my trembling body against his chest. "Look at me."
I tried.
The room spun harder.
"She drank something," my stepmother said quickly. "She's just feeling unwell."
Liar.
Andre didn't even look at her.
His gaze locked onto the table.
The food both touched and untouched.
The half-empty glass of juice.
Something dark and terrifying crossed his face.
Raymond took a step forward. "Andre, listen—"
That was his mistake.
Andre lifted his head slowly.
"Touch her," Andre said coldly, "and you'll beg for death"
Raymond reached for me anyway. Perfect distraction…. He never wanted Andre to even get a glimpse of what was happening…
Pain exploded in the room.
I heard a sickening crack.
Raymond screamed.
Andre's men had him restrained, his arm bent at an impossible angle, bone broken cleanly.
Raymond's cries echoed, desperate and ugly.
Andre leaned closer to him, his voice calm, almost gentle.
"I won't kill you," he said. "Not yet. Death is too easy for you."
Raymond sobbed.
Andre straightened and finally looked at my father.
"You," Andre said.
"whatever you did to my wife," he said softly, "I will return tenfold."
I felt myself being lifted again.
Andre carried me out.
The door slam shut and immediately Andre told Bruce
"The Ambrose family is blacklisted, see to it"
Yes don…Bruce replied
⸻
The ride home was a blur of fear and pain.
My body shook violently in his arms, my teeth chattering uncontrollably. My chest burned with every breath, my limbs heavy and weak.
Andre held me tighter.
"Stay with me," he whispered urgently. "Sarah, please."
I tried to respond.
I couldn't.
Panic crept into his voice for the first time.
"Drive faster," he snapped.
When we arrived, everything happened at once.
Doctors were already there waiting…
Lights.
Hands pressing against my skin.
Needles.
The antidote burned through my veins like fire, and I screamed weakly, tears spilling down my temples.
Andre never let go of my hand.
When my shaking finally slowed, when my breathing steadied, relief crashed over his face so hard his knees nearly gave out.
"She'll live," the doctor said.
Andre closed his eyes.
Only then did he release a breath.
⸻
That night, while I slept, he punished himself.
I didn't see it—but I felt it in the way his presence changed afterward.
He locked himself in his secret chamber, the sound of blows echoing against walls, each strike filled with self-hatred.
This is my fault.
I should have protected her. He said through every punch..
A cold shower followed.
Then an unbearable Silence.
When he finally returned, he didn't sleep rather…
He watched me.
Like he was afraid something might happen to me or I might disappear.
⸻
I woke up the next day to sunlight and warmth.
And Andre.
He sat beside the bed, his eyes shadowed with exhaustion, his hand resting protectively over mine.
"You're awake," he whispered.
I smiled weakly.
"You look terrible," I said.
He laughed quietly and leaned down, pressing his forehead to mine.
"I thought I lost you." He said while he hugged me tight
Emotion tightened my throat.
"I'm still here," I murmured.
His lips brushed mine—slow, reverent, full of relief. The kiss deepened, not rushed, not desperate, but full of promise.
For a moment, there was no poison.
No enemies.
Just us.
"I'm going to announce you publicly," he said softly after. "A dinner party. One week from now."
I nodded and said . "So no one dare touches me again."
"Ever," he added.
I smiled.
"Water please ," I asked.
He kissed my forehead and stood. "Don't move."
The door closed behind him.
The room felt too quiet.
I pushed myself up slowly, ignoring the dizziness. My legs protested, but I steadied myself and glanced around.
My things were here.
Clothes.
Books.
My laptop.
I frowned, it hit me that I was watching a video
I walked slowly to the desk.
The USB was still plugged in, I felt relieved
My heart began to pound.
I opened the file.
The video continued.
Different angle.
Different day, looked like someone was recording…
The voices were familiar—but then the camera shifted.
A glimpse of feet.
High heels.
Blonde hair reflected in glass.
My breath caught.
Blair.
She was the one recording.
The realization hit me so hard I had to grip the desk.
Why?
Why record this?
What did she plan to do with it?
"I'll get to the bottom of this," I whispered.
Behind the door, Andre stood still.
He had heard everything.
But he didn't step in.
Not yet.
He waited.
When I closed the laptop, he entered like nothing had happened, handed me the water, and gently guided me back to bed.
"Rest," he said.
I drank.
Sleep pulled me under.
He held my hand till I dozed off…
⸻
At the hospital, Raymond lay unconscious, his arm heavily bandaged.
Blair sat beside him, her face calm, unreadable.
Useless, she thought.
Why does Sarah always get the better one, and I settle for thrash, No I won't allow this, she thought…
She doesn't love him anymore…She never did
She turned to the television as it flickered to life.
Breaking News: Andre Blanc announces an exclusive dinner party in one week…
Blair smiled slowly.
"A new target," she whispered.
I know what to do, she said, smirking
And this time—
She wasn't going to miss.