[BL] Dear Hushand, I want divorce-Chapter 30: Comforting him

Elijah’s pov ;

When I opened the door, what I saw made my heart clench painfully in my chest.

"Ash..." I couldn’t even bring myself to increase the volume of my voice, afraid that it might scare him further.

He looked like a scared, wet feral kitten who had been bullied by the kids, like a lost child who had lost his parents in a crowded place. He was huddled in the corner of the closet, looking so small and vulnerable that it ripped my insides.

His face was red and streaked with tears, his eyes wet and wide with fear, and his hands were tightly clenched at his chest. His whole body was shivering, and his clothes were torn and disheveled, barely hanging onto him. I instinctively clenched my fist or I might explode from all the rage I was feeling.

He peeked at me through his moist and trembling eyelashes. His lower lip shaking tugging at my heart string like a brutal hit.

Seeing him like this, I felt a fierce wave of protectiveness wash over me. I wanted to pull him tightly into my arms and hide him.

Whoever had done this to him, I wanted to make them pay. Break their fingers one by one, dragging them behind my car, cutting their neck and hands, plucking out their eyes, making them beg for mercy that would never come. Once I found out who did this, they would regret ever laying a hand on him.

But right now, my priority was to get him out of this tiny, dark place. I crouched down, reaching out to him gently. "Ash," I said so softly, using a voice so tender I didn’t even know I had it. "Let’s get you out of here, okay?"

His eyes widened, and for a while, it seemed like he couldn’t recognise me. He looked so fragile, so unlike the Ash I knew.

"No! NO!" I tried to reach for him, but as soon as my hand touched his arm, he screamed and lashed out, his nails raking across my face. I felt the sharp sting and warmth as blood trickled from the scratches.

"Don’t touch me!" he yelled, pushing me away with a surprising force.

"Ash, listen to me-"

"Sir, are you alright-" The staff member who showed me the room took a step forward.

I shot her a fierce glare. "Stay back!" I warned her sharply. She nodded quickly and retreated.

Turning back to Ash, I met his terrified eyes. I tried to calm him with my gaze since words seemed to fail.

"Shh...it’s okay. I’m Elijah....see. You’re safe now," Slowly and ever so gently, I reached out again. This time, he didn’t resist.

I carefully took his hand and pulled him out of the closet, touching him with the softest of touches. As soon as he was out, he broke down, collapsing against me. He punched my chest weakly, his sobs wracking his small frame. "Why did you leave me there? It’s all your fault! I hate you!"

I grabbed his wrists, pulling him into a tight embrace. "I’m sorry," I murmured into his hair, my chest erupting with guilt. "I’m so sorry, Ash. This is my fault."

He clung to me as if his life depended on it, his arms and legs wrapping around me like a monkey. I stood up with him and was about to sit on the bed, but the sight of it made me recoil in disgust. Instead, I moved to the sofa, settling down with Ash in my lap.

I rubbed his back and head soothingly, whispering apologies and reassurances. He was still trembling so I added more comforting pressure against him to soothe some of his pain.

"Shh...my little actor," I whispered softly, my lips close to his ear. "You’re safe now. I’ve got you, alright? No one is going to hurt you."

He clung to me even tighter, his fingers digging into my shirt. I continued to rub his back in slow, soothing circles, my touch as gentle as possible. "It’s okay," I murmured, brushing a strand of hair from his tear-streaked face. "You’re with me now. I won’t let anything happen to you."

His body gradually stopped shaking, but he still buried his face in my chest, his breaths warm against my skin. I kissed the top of his head, a tender gesture that was only meant to comfort him at the moment and nothing else.

He looked up at me, his eyes red and puffy from crying. "Elijah?"

"I’m here," I said, cupping his face in my hands. "I’m not going anywhere."

I continued to hold him, my hands moving from his back to his arms, tracing light patterns to relax him. His breathing began to steady, and he leaned into my touch again and I welcomed him in my arms.

My thumbs brushed away the last of his tears. We stayed like that for a long time until I was completely sure that he wasn’t crying anymore.

I looked up at the girl, trying to keep my irritation in check. "How did Ash end up here?" I asked my voice tight with anger.

The visibly nervous girl took a step back. "He c-came in looking tired, sir," she began. "He seemed to have no idea what kind of place this is. He booked a room and told us he’d been walking for hours and just needed a place to sleep. But then...there were four men who asked to book the same room as Mr. Ash."

My grip on Ash tightened. "And you let them?"

"No, sir," she added quickly, shaking her head. "We told them the room was already taken. They booked another room, but then...we heard Mr. Ash’s screams. We don’t know how he ended up in their room. When we arrived and forcibly opened the door, Mr. Ash was already in the closet. But... nothing happened to him apart from mental trauma. It all happened in just six minutes."

I barked, "His clothes are torn, and you’re saying nothing happened?!" ƒrēenovelkiss.com

The girl flinched at my tone, and I felt Ash shudder in my arms. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rage boiling inside me. Gently, I stroked his arms and sides, apologising for scaring him.

"Where are the men now?" I asked, my voice a deadly calm.

"They ran away," the girl said, her eyes broad with anxiety.

I nodded. I can find them by myself. And when I do...they better run.

For now, though, my priority was Ash. I needed to get him out of here. But then a man came running into the room.

His face was pale and eyes wide with panic. "Sir, the media has surrounded the hotel," he blurted out, panting for breath. "Someone...let out the news that famous actor Ash is here."

My heart dropped as I felt Ash stiffen in my arms. The last thing he needed right now was a media circus.

Ash’s eyes widened in fear, his grip on me tightening. "Elijah...I’m scared."

I glared at the man who brought the news. "Who let the news out?"

The man shook his head, helpless. "We don’t know, sir. They’re already at the entrance, and more are coming."

"Dammit," I cursed under my breath. The hotel staff looked frightened. I needed to get Ash out of here without making a scene, but that seemed nearly impossible now.

I turned to the girl who had been speaking earlier. "Is there another way out? A back exit or a service entrance?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes, sir, there’s a service entrance at the back. It leads to the alley behind the hotel."

I dialed Ryder’s number. The phone barely rang twice before Ryder’s familiar, annoyingly cheerful voice came through.

"Hey, boss! What’s up? I’m still mad at you for hanging up on me-"

"Ryder, I need you to bring my car to the address I’m texting you. Now. No questions," I snapped.

There was a brief pause. "Got it, boss. I’m on my way."

I hung up and turned to the staff, my eyes fierce. "Get me a clean blanket. Now."

The girl nodded and rushed off. Ash still clung to me, his grip tight and desperate. For the first time, I myself felt vulnerable.

The staff returned with a blanket, and I took it, gently wrapping it around Ash. His hold on my shirt didn’t loosen, and it made my heart overwhelmed.

I desperately wanted to ask him what exactly happened but neither was he in the state of talking and nor could I control my anger after hearing it. So, all I could do was wait and make sure he was safe for now.

With the delicate figure securely in my arms, I stood up, careful not to jostle him too much. He buried his face in my chest, his breath rapid and shallow against my neck.

"Let’s go!" I announced and walked out of the room, following the staff.