The Lady Is Mine-Chapter 180: All that matters

"Rhane has woken up..."

Jenna repeated the words in her mind. She had waited days and nights for it, had even acted out how she would react countless times in her head. Why wasn’t she moving... why wasn’t she screaming?

It was easy. Jenna had waited so long that hope felt like a blunt sword stabbed in through her mouth down her throat. It was gut-wrenching to watch Rhane lay unmoving on the bed for over three weeks. The anguish that came with hope had eviscerated her voice and excitement, and now even hearing the news, it felt surreal.

Was reality now far from her? Had her brain conjured what she longed to hear because things were hopeless? Jenna didn’t know, but she tasted saline, and it wasn’t Kali’s.

Her tears rolled down, and her hands moved first, moving away from the hug.

"Y-you." Jenna’s voice cracked when she tried to speak, so she paused and swallowed hard. The blunt sword now felt like a lump, unwilling to settle.

"Are you joking? Please don’t be, Kali..." Jenna begged the young woman as well as her beating heart that raced without control. If it didn’t relax, she would explode.

Kali wiped her tears. "Bloody hell, woman! Do you think I’d—"

Jenna dashed forward before Kali could finish her words. She ran back to Rhane’s room, slipping off her shoes as she ran.

"Look at her go," Kali muttered, turning to the corner, just to continue crying again.

Jenna barged inside the room; she could hear all her nerves flaring and her drumming heart. If Kali was wrong, there was a high chance Jenna would find herself on the ground, passed out.

Her entire system was awake and trembling. Jenna tried to control herself by squeezing her hand tightly, but it worked as little as an ant pushing a roach alone.

Jenna found Percy standing in front of Rhane, his body leaned. His body hid the features of Rhane, and the last candle only cast shadows, making the place slightly dark.

"Percy..." Jenna muttered, stubbing her feet on the chair, but she didn’t stop.

Percy turned around. "Yes, Mistress. He—"

"Is that my master?"

Jenna gasped when she heard Rhane’s voice. It was his own, that voice that could control a crowd without trying, yet bring comfort to her like the sea in a calm night.

"Rhane!" Jenna wasn’t surprised when she screamed. It was long overdue. She took another step forward, pushing Percy to the side.

"Master... have you come to take me?" Rhane replied calmly.

Jenna narrowed her eyes; the look on Rhane’s face was familiar, like when he woke up the first time after being saved by her.

"Are you..." she turned to look at Percy. "Does he not remember who I am?"

Percy bit his lip before he said, "It appears he doesn’t remember, except for the first time you met."

Jenna shifted her attention from Percy, settling it on Rhane. She tried to hide it, but her eyes gave it away. They glistened with fresh tears. She couldn’t bear to think of the pain Rhane had gone through then and now that made him lose his memory.

All of those times, because he wanted to find his way back to her.

"It’s okay..." Jenna nodded. "I promised to be your master..." she licked her lips and nodded. She was grateful he returned, in any form. Jenna was grateful Rhane was now awake.

"It wasn’t just my master you promised..."

Jenna furrowed her brows. "Huh?"

"You said you’d be whatever," Rhane replied with a tired yawn. He sat up and stretched his body slightly to the side.

Jenna tilted her head; she wasn’t sure what was going on. Before she could say anything, she heard a choking sound. Jenna turned and found Percy struggling not to laugh.

"I’m sorry, but I couldn’t keep up with the acting," he said, running out of the room as he continued laughing.

It was then Jenna understood exactly what was going on.

Rhane groaned. "That young man needs more training..." he drawled, as he unbuttoned his shirt.

"You..." Jenna pointed at the door, then at Percy. "You didn’t lose your memory?"

Rhane grinned, his brows raised. "I missed this look on your face, my love."

Jenna wiped her eyes, just in case she had tears left. She took a step away from the bed, then grabbed a pillow along with her. She raised it with formidable strength, but before it could touch her target, Rhane grabbed her arm.

"I just survived the worst... don’t send me back, sweet wife."

Jenna’s face flushed red, her arm wobbled, letting go of the pillow. "Why did you lie to me?" She dropped her body on Rhane’s own.

"Mm," Rhane groaned a smile, but still pulled her very close to his chest. His head nestled on the crook of her neck.

"I’m sorry I took too long to come back."

Jenna shook her head. "As long as you did... it doesn’t matter anymore. You’re back to me, and that is all that matters." She leaned in closer. Jenna had missed it.

Being close to Rhane, feeling his sturdy arms wrap her up like she was small. Listening to his beating heart and, most of all, hearing his voice.

"Did I leave my woman to worry all alone?" Rhane used his hand to raise Jenna’s face. He rubbed her chin. The dark circles around her eyes made his heart ache.

Rhane leaned, kissed Jenna’s eyes, a soft peck l— then breezed down to her nose, then her forehead, and her lips.

"I deserve to be punished. Just when I had you... I let you stress over nothing."

Jenna sat up properly, but still in Rhane’s hold. She slapped his shoulder.

"Ow!" Rhane cried.

Jenna hissed, "That is for fooling me!" she snarled. "And also for saying you’re nothing! You’re everything to me, Rhane... I found myself losing touch of life when you were on that bed. Everything became dull, and the sun..."

"It didn’t brighten my day any longer... it annoyed me. The brightness made me angry because it couldn’t wake you up. The chirping birds sounded like noise to my ears. And I remember once it was music because you were beside me. You gave meaning to my life... so please never regard yourself as nothing. You’re only sticking a splint into this heart that loves just you." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Rhane rubbed Jenna’s chin, then squeezed. "I have lost words... it is shameful that I cannot describe how I feel and what these confessions do to me." He placed his arm behind Jenna and moved her closer to his chest.

"But maybe I can show you..." Their lips were a few breaths away when the door burst open and some of Rhane’s men entered.

"Welcome back, Master Rhane!" they chorused.

Jenna shifted slightly, trying to act like nothing was about to happen.

Rhane tried to reach for Jenna, but she moved. He raised his eyes and stared at the men. His gaze bored and disappointed.

"You all know you could come later to say this to me," Rhane remarked. Jenna hissed at him, and he cleared his throat.

"Thank you all," he corrected himself. "Leave for now... I’ll see you all soon."

The men turned to Jenna and bowed. "Thank you, Lady Jenna, for taking care of our master."

Jenna blushed when the men praised her, flashing them a smile filled with excitement and also gratitude.

Rhane followed her eyes. "Alright... everyone out. Get out of my room," he ordered with a strong voice.

The last of every man flashed out of the room with speed.

"They were excited to see you... why are you being harsh?" Jenna complained. "Those men protected this estate while you were away."

Rhane nodded in agreement. "I see that, and I’m fully aware. It’s just that you kept smiling, and you looked so beautiful when you did."

Jenna snickered. "I didn’t know you could be as petty as being jealous over something so trivial."

"Is it?" Rhane’s mischievous grin returned. He pulled Jenna back to his chest. "We can continue what we were doing..."

The second time the door opened, Rhane tightened his eyes shut and cursed out.

"Bloody fu#$$## hell!"

Jenna had to bleep the sound in her head, trying her best not to laugh.

Kali stood at the door, mirth dancing in her eyes. "Making babies can wait... you have so many nights to do that."

"And I’m considering using this night. Do you catch my drift?" Rhane asked his sister, his patience disappearing like the burning candle wick.

Kali sucked her teeth, seeing that her brother was annoyed. She pushed further to tick him. "But I’ve also missed you! Didn’t you get worried when you woke up and I wasn’t there?"

"No," Rhane replied blatantly. "I know the danger is you... if I’m to be worried, it should be the people around you."

Kali rolled her eyes. "Searching for the compliment in that. But I’ll take it." When her eyes fell on Jenna, she gave her a knowing look.

"Now leave."

Jenna stood up.

"No no... not you, love," Rhane reached for her.

Jenna took a step back. "I’d forgotten I haven’t had my bath... I’ll be right back."

"It doesn’t matter, trust me, love. It doesn’t," Rhane pleaded, his eyes melting with desperation.

Kali winced. "Someone please save me; my brother has no shame in his bone."

"I’ll be back." Jenna’s face burned crimson; she’d forgotten how unkempt she looked out of excitement. Getting to the door, she mouthed a thank you to Kali for reminding her, then left the room.

Kali stayed back, seeing the anguish in Rhane’s eyes. "You know she—"

"Get out."

Kali jammed the door shut.