Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 56: No Going Back

Chapter 56: No Going Back

Lily stared at him, feeling a surge of courage she didn’t quite understand. Tears began to roll down her cheeks, a steady stream of emotion she could no longer hold back. As she watched Jason raise his hand, preparing to strike her, she flinched, bracing herself for the impact. But Jason stopped abruptly, his eyes widening in realization of what he was about to do. The violent motion was arrested, and his hand hovered in the air as his conscience caught up with him. Lily’s body trembled, caught between fear and a desperate hope for rescue.

"I’m sorry, Lily. I didn’t mean—" Jason began, his voice faltering, but he was cut off by a cold, commanding voice that sliced through the tense atmosphere.

"Let her go."

James stood at the doorway, his presence both reassuring and imposing. Lily turned to face him, her tears flowing uncontrollably now. She was overwhelmed with relief as she recognized James’s intent to protect her from the torment she was experiencing. The realization that James had come to her aid filled her with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow.

Jason’s attention shifted to James, his voice dripping with coldness and defiance. "Why should I?" he demanded, his grip on Lily’s hand tightening painfully. "She is mine—mine, mine, mine!" His voice escalated into a manic scream, each repetition of "mine" echoing with possessive anger.

James’s reaction was a chilling contrast. He laughed, the sound carrying a mix of intimidation and icy detachment. "You need therapy," he said, his voice unwavering.

Jason’s face twisted in anger. "It’s Lily who needs it," he snapped back. "You couldn’t even kiss your husband. Baby, I wonder why I was so understanding with you."

"Understanding?" Lily’s voice broke, her words more a mockery than a genuine inquiry. "Understanding, and you cheated on me just two months into our marriage."

Jason’s defense was weak, but he persisted. "I’m a man, Lily. Understand that."

Lily’s response was sharp and resolute. "You’re not a man," she shot back. "How can you call yourself a man when you can’t control yourself?"

Jason’s face showed a twisted grin. "Wow, Lily, you’re no longer that shy baby girl I knew," he said, his smile tainted with cruelty.

James stepped closer, his presence looming as he stopped just an inch away from Jason. His voice was low but filled with authority. "Don’t make me repeat myself," he warned.

Before Jason could respond, James’s fist connected with Jason’s face in a swift, powerful blow. The impact sent Jason stumbling backward, his grip on Lily’s hand finally breaking. He wiped the blood from his mouth as he fell to the ground, his body collapsing with a thud. Lily’s eyes widened as the blurriness in her vision cleared, her heart pounding with both fear and relief.

Jason hissed in pain, continuing to scream, "I’m not done with you!" His voice was tinged with madness, a desperate echo of his earlier rage.

James, unfazed by Jason’s threats, moved swiftly. He scooped Lily into his arms with practiced ease, his strong, protective hold a stark contrast to the violence she had just witnessed. As he carried her away, Lily’s body trembled, her fear palpable. She clung to him, her tears soaking into his shirt.

"You don’t have to be scared," James reassured her, his voice gentle yet firm. "I will protect you. Always remember that."

As James gently placed Lily inside the car and closed the door behind her, he took his place in the driver’s seat and started the engine. The car’s interior was a sanctuary from the chaos they had just escaped. Lily’s tears continued to flow like an endless stream, her sobs punctuating the silence of the car.

"I couldn’t even do that... Why... I... I..." Lily’s words came out in fragmented sobs, her voice breaking under the weight of her emotions.

James kept his eyes on the road, his grip on the steering wheel steady. "Shh, Lily, it’s okay," he said soothingly. "You’re safe now."

Lily’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and questions. She wondered if her past had influenced her sudden burst of confidence and boldness. The strength she had shown in standing up to Jason seemed almost foreign, and she grappled with the realization of how her experiences had shaped her responses.

"James..." Lily’s voice was soft but filled with uncertainty.

"Yes?" James responded, his attention divided between the road and her.

"Do you think I need therapy?" she asked, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

The car screeched to a halt, the sudden jolt making Lily’s heart race even faster. James turned to face her, his expression a mix of determination and concern. "It’s not just about therapy, Lily. Jason was about to hit you," he said, his voice steady but laced with intensity.

Lily’s eyes were wide with fear. "I’m scared," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I’m afraid you’ll leave me too."

James reached out, gently placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I won’t, Lily. I promise you that," he said firmly. His gaze was unwavering, and his promise was earnest.

Lily looked down, her emotions a turbulent storm. She was grappling with the fear of abandonment, a fear that had plagued her for far too long. "Today is the last chance, Mr. Cutesy," she said quietly, her voice filled with a mixture of resignation and hope. "Because once you stay, there is no going back."

James’s eyes softened, and he managed a reassuring smile. "Then I accept it," he said with a tone of quiet confidence. He turned back to the steering wheel, the weight of their conversation evident in his posture. With a deep breath, he pulled the car back onto the road, beginning to drive once more.

The road stretched out before them, a symbol of the journey they were embarking on together. The car’s interior was filled with a sense of cautious optimism, a stark contrast to the turmoil of the moments before. James’s promise hung in the air, a beacon of hope amid the uncertainty.

Lily glanced out the window, watching the scenery pass by in a blur. Her mind was still processing the gravity of what had happened, but James’s presence was a comforting constant. She could feel the sincerity in his words, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to believe in the possibility of a future where she wasn’t alone.

"That’s my boyfriend," Lily said softly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

James, though, heard her clearly. A smile slowly stretched across his face, a genuine, heartfelt expression that softened the intensity of his features. He glanced at her briefly, through the review mirror.

"Your boyfriend, huh?" James repeated, his tone light but warm. The smile lingered, showing his appreciation for her quiet declaration. He returned his attention to the road, his grip on the steering wheel steady.