Chapter 2 No Place Left for Me

By the time I woke up again, two days had already passed.

Brandon was slumped over the side of my hospital bed. His beard had grown in, and dark circles shadowed his eyes.

The moment I moved, he jolted awake and hurried to his feet.

"Eleanor, how are you feeling? I know you're angry because I forced your hand. I ignored your condition and made you donate blood. I've already dealt with those two guys who forced you. Please forgive me."

I turned my head away. So, he still didn't know. He didn't know we'd lost our baby.

Just then, Hannah rushed into the room. She dropped to her knees in front of me.

"Eleanor, this is all my fault. I never should've gotten hurt and made you donate your blood for me. Please don't blame Brandon."

Brandon immediately let go of my hand and hurried over to help Hannah up. "Hannah, none of this is your fault. Eleanor has a kind heart. She would never blame you."

Hannah suddenly stumbled into his arms.

I saw her press against the bandage on her abdomen. Almost instantly, fresh blood seeped through the gauze.

The panic on Brandon's face was impossible to miss. "Hannah, are you okay?"

She shook her head weakly. "I'm fine, Brandon. It's only a little blood. Don't let Eleanor be upset because of me. Otherwise, you'll have to spend forever trying to cheer her up again."

I didn't say a word. I simply watched her performance.

Sure enough, Brandon turned to me with obvious displeasure. "Hannah got hurt protecting you. Stop making a scene. I've already told you that you're the only woman I'll ever marry."

The moment Hannah heard those words, a flash of resentment twisted across her face.

"I'm taking Hannah to see the doctor. Stay here and think about what you've done."

Brandon then lifted her into his arms and walked out.

I wiped the tears from my cheeks. My heart had gone completely numb.

For the next three days, not a single person came to visit me. In the end, I checked myself out of the hospital alone and returned to the home Brandon and I shared.

The moment I opened the front door, I saw Brandon standing in the kitchen wearing an apron, cooking for Hannah. He had never cooked for me, not even once.

When he saw me, he froze for a second before quickly walking over. "Eleanor, you've been discharged! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Would you have cared if I had?" I stepped away before he could take my hand.

Embarrassment flashed across his face, but he still guided me toward the dining table and set out another plate and silverware. "Come on, Eleanor. Sit down. I made a lot of your favorite dishes."

I looked at the food. There wasn't a single dish I liked on the table.

I stood up to leave.

Hannah's eyes immediately filled with tears. "Eleanor, do you hate me so much that you can't even stand to eat when you see me? In that case, I'll leave right now."

My face tightened. "What are you talking about? I never—"

Before I could finish, Brandon grabbed Hannah's arm and gently patted her shoulder. "It's okay, Hannah. This is my home. No one is making you leave."

Then, he looked at me, disappointment written all over his face. "Hannah got injured while saving your life. I let her stay here so I could make it up to her. Instead of being grateful, you're acting…"

He closed his eyes before continuing to speak. "Go to your room. Don't bother coming out unless you have to."

His words dug into me like a knife.

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails bit into my palms. The pain kept me from falling apart. "I didn't do anything—"

Brandon had already turned his back to comfort Hannah. No one cared to hear my explanation. I felt as though a boulder was crushing my chest. I couldn't bear to look any longer.

So, I dragged my suitcase behind me and scurried back to the bedroom.

The moment I pushed open the door, my suitcase slipped from my hand and crashed onto the floor. The weight on my heart grew even heavier until I could barely breathe.