Being the Bad Boy's Victim (29 page)

Bella

I sat up slowly in bed, clutching my side as a sharp pain surged through me. The nurse gave me a sympathetic look as she helped me to my feet.

“The pain will soon go away,” she said softly, giving me half a smile.

I gritted my teeth and stood upright, hobbling to the bathroom. I tried not to gasp as I took in my reflection—dark circles under my eyes, my pasty complexion worse, and a stitched-up gash surrounded by an angry bruise on my right cheek.

I’m sexy and I kn—— Fuck that. I look and feel like shit!

“Can I please have something for the pain?” I asked as I walked back to the bed, leaning on one side.

“Sure. But you know what’s funny? You’re the second person this week to come in with bruised ribs,” the nurse said thoughtfully.

I tilted my head to the side and frowned. We were in a hospital. There were bound to be plenty of people with broken ribs.

“His was worse though,” she murmured. “It was like he had been kicked.”

I nodded along, adjusting the sweater I was now wearing, along with sweatpants.

“Wait, what?” I exclaimed, my heart racing and my mouth going dry.

She looked at me, surprised.

“It looked like he had been kicked?”

Kicked. My attacker!

Connor kicked my attacker on the chest. Being kicked on the chest could cause bruised ribs.

Looks like my attacker is closer than I expected, I reflected grimly.

Patient confidentiality, my ass!

It seemed like nothing I said was working. The damn nurse refused to tell me the name of the guy who came here before with bruised ribs. And then she haughtily told me that, frankly, she really didn’t give a damn what I want.

“So, really, why do you want to know?” she asked, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

I frowned slightly, my forehead crinkling as I thought of a reasonable response. Then, I took a deep breath and put everything I had into my award-winning acting skills. But as it turns out, they were non-existent. Case in point…

“I-I’m pregnant! And the baby daddy, he…”

“Bruised his ribs?” she stared at me, shaking her head.

I glared and wiped away the fake tears. “Alright, I get it,” I spat out, giving up the pretense. But before the nurse turned to go, I added, “Anyway, when can I go home?”

She just gave me an annoyed look and exited the room.

Minutes later

The doctor walked in, his brown hair perfectly tousled. He grinned as the nurse whispered something to him, then looked at me with an unreadable expression on his face.

“So, can I go home now?” I impatiently asked the doctor as I gritted my teeth together, still pissed at the nurse.

“Well, Miss Brown, you seem to be doing okay now. The bruising still looks severe, but I think it will be alright for you to just continue your recovery at home. Make sure to get a lot of rest so you can heal properly.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question, you know? Can I go home now or what?” I grumbled. Clearly, my annoyance at the nurse made me irritable and I was taking it out on the doctor. Granted, I felt overwhelmed at the realization that someone out there was clearly out to get me. And discovering that I could have had some answers, but was stopped by some stupid hospital policy, was not making me feel any better either.

“I believe you can, Miss Brown, but we can only release you as soon as your parents fill out the necessary forms. They’re right outside, right?” Then he turned to the nurse and said, “Nurse Thompkins, please assist the Browns with the paperwork.” To me, he said, “Do you have any other concerns, Miss Brown?”

I shook my head. And with that, they walked out of the room

As soon as the door closed, I hastily ran to the bathroom. My heart pounding and my head aching as I tried not to hurl whatever food was in my stomach at that time.

What’s wrong with me? Why am I remembering that horrible incident only now? And who attacked me? Oh, my God, will he try again? Does he know where I live? Will I even be safe at home? At school? Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

Well, I couldn’t lie. I was so wrapped up in the whole love-triangle debacle that I totally forgot about that nasty episode. And Connor’s arms when he rescued me made me feel so safe that my subconscious must have automatically pushed the memory to the back of my mind. I admit, I did have more important things on my plate then, especially when I just decided to choose the bad boy, at the same time, break the good boy’s heart.

Liam. I wonder if he’s alright
, my mind couldn’t help thinking. Jeez, everything was such a mess!

Then, the bathroom door opened and someone stepped inside.

“Bella?”

I let out the huge breath that I was holding, and allowed myself to be pulled into my best friend’s small arms.

“It’s okay. Just let it out,” Jess whispered, not even bothering to ask what I was doing there on the bathroom floor but instantly figuring out that I needed her support. Good old reliable Jess.

At that, I let out a whimper and released the tears that had been blurring my vision.

“Oh, hell to the naw!” Jess cried out, pacing angrily inside my room.

I was finally on my own bed, after that surprise stint at the hospital. It was 3:47 am, and Jess had insisted that she would stay by my side the whole weekend. I groaned and rolled to my side, facing the wall and away from her.

“That… that bitch!” she exclaimed.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying in vain to block out the profanities flowing from her mouth.

“Jess, it’s…”

“It. Is. Not. Okay!” she hissed.

Still on my bed, I turned back to glare at her as she continued her ranting.

“That bitch knows who your attacker might be but she refused to tell you?”

I rolled my eyes, slowly sat up, and groaned, “Jess! For the last time, I wasn’t about to tell her that some guy attacked me, and that my boyfriend might have possibly broken his ribs when he kicked him… and could she please give me the guy’s name because we didn’t exactly see who he was when he attacked me because it was dark!” I said without pause, making me feel out of breath.

“I would have,” Jess grumbled, sitting down next to me.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought. Of course Jess would do something exactly like that, I thought as I let out a big yawn, burying myself back into the nice and warm bed.

“Goodnight, Jess,” I mumbled, my eyelids slowly drooping. I could tell that they were still swollen from all the crying. But what can I do about that?

“Yes, yes… you sleep,” she whispered evilly. “Not me. I shall not rest until I’ve successfully planned our revenge,” she said with a snigger.

I let out a small laugh just before the darkness engulfed me.

Nearly ten hours later

I finally woke up and slowly sat up in bed. Feeling thirsty, I quietly stood up and carefully stepped over the heap on the floor—a.k.a. Jess.

“Hey, sexy lady…” she murmured, and her legs began twitching like she was running.

I held in my laughter as I walked out of the room and down to the kitchen where I found my little brother standing by the fridge.

“Bellaby, are you going to be okay?” Luca said, with a surprisingly serious expression on his face.

I let out a small coo and picked him up, kissing him on his cheek.

“I’ll be fine,” I reassured him, setting him on top of the counter.

He giggled and hopped down, just as someone knocked on the door.

“I’ll get it!” he cried out, running towards the door.

I quickly followed him, only to come to a complete standstill when I saw who the visitor was.

“Connor?” My heart began racing in my chest, and I felt a light blush rise to my cheeks.

“Connor!” Luca cried out, jumping up on him.

I couldn’t help but laugh as Connor lifted him up in the air and swung him around before carefully setting him down.

“How are you?” Connor asked, crouching down.

“I’m good. But Bellaby is hurt!” he exclaimed, pointing at me.

Connor looked at me, causing me to catch my breath.

“I know, big boy. That’s why I’m here,”

My heart skipped a beat as Connor straightened up, his eyes glued to mine all the while.

“Really?” I asked, my voice came out shaky and breathless.

He grinned and nodded his head, walking over to me and pulling me into a hug. I felt my body melt into his, my head resting on his chest.

“Are you ready to go?”

I pulled away, my eyebrows knitting together. “We’re going somewhere?” I asked, surprised.

“Yes.” His husky whisper caused me to shiver with delight.

“But what about Luca?” I asked.

My dad was at work while my mum had taken Sophie to her ballet practice, leaving me in charge of Luca, not that he was much trouble though.

“What in the world…?”  

I turned around to see a very curious-looking Jess. Her hair was completely disheveled, and she had a crazed look in her eyes.

“Can you watch over Luca today?” Connor asked, getting straight to the point.

Her eyes snapped up and she made a face—this, to be exact:
.

“Why should I?”

“Because I’m taking Bella out for the rest of the day.”

I saw Jess’ eyes light up, and a small knowing smile appeared on her lips.

“Fine…” she drawled out and added, “but you’re going to owe me.”

Connor smiled before walking to the doorway. “Come on in, James,” he called out.

Jess’ eyes nearly popped out of her head, and I burst out laughing as she struggled to mat down her hair.

“You look nice,” James said, clearly amused as he gave me a small hug while he looked at Jess. 

She frowned and rolled her eyes. “Why are you here?” she asked, trying to sound sassy.

“Because I needed someone to keep you company while I took Bella out,” Connor responded for him.

“How did you know I was going to be here?” Jess asked.