Chapter 73: Aftermath and Understanding

The attacker lay unconscious at my feet, a dark stain blooming on the carpet beneath him. My hands were still shaking, adrenaline coursing through my veins. But all I could focus on was Ava.She was curled up on the floor, her body trembling, her eyes wide with terror. I gently scooped her up, wrapping her in a blanket, and carried her out of the apartment. The cool night air hit my face, a stark contrast to the stifling fear that had permeated the room.Sarah and William were waiting for me in the lobby, their faces etched with worry."Liam, what happened?" Sarah asked, her voice filled with concern."Someone broke in," I said, my voice hoarse. "He... he attacked Ava."Sarah gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. William's face hardened, his jaw clenching with barely contained rage.We rushed Ava to the nearest hospital, the sterile environment a stark contrast to the chaos of the attack. The doctor examined Ava, his expression grim."She's lucky you got there when you did, Mr. Blackwood," he said, his voice grave. "It appears he attempted to force himself on her but you interrupted him before..."The unspoken words hung heavy in the air, a chilling reminder of the horror Ava had endured. My heart ached, the guilt and anger churning within me. I had almost lost her.Sarah, ever perceptive, took charge. "William, stay with Ava," she instructed, her voice firm. "Liam, come with me."We stepped out into the hallway, the sterile white walls closing in on me. Sarah turned to me, her eyes filled with concern."Liam, what happened?" she asked again, her voice softer this time.I recounted the events of the evening, the unanswered messages, the growing panic, the desperate race to Ava's apartment, the fight with the masked intruder. Sarah listened intently, her expression shifting from shock to understanding."Liam," she said, her voice gentle, "I know you were scared. But you can't shut Ava out like that. She loves you, and she needs you."Tears pricked my eyes, the unshed tears of a man who had almost lost everything. "I know, Sarah," I choked out. "I never meant to hurt her. I was just... scared."Sarah's eyes filled with tears, her usual composure cracking. "I understand, Liam. But you have to understand Ava too. She's been through so much. She needs to know that you're there for her, that you won't abandon her."Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I had been so focused on my own fears, my own insecurities, that I had forgotten about Ava's vulnerability, her own past traumas. I had almost failed her, failed to protect her, just when she needed me the most.Just then, William approached, his expression relieved. "Ava's awake," he announced. "She's asking for Liam."A wave of relief washed over me, a surge of gratitude for the man who had been hired as a bodyguard but had become so much more. I rushed back to Ava's side, my heart pounding with a renewed sense of purpose.I would never let her down again. I would face my fears, conquer my demons, and be the man she deserved, the man who would protect her, cherish her, and love her unconditionally. I had almost lost her, but now, I had a second chance, a chance to prove that my love for her was stronger than any fear, any insecurity, any threat.And I wouldn't waste it.