Twelve Days The Beginning

Chapter Twenty-Six

Elise had a feeling of déjà-vu as she watched the police and paramedics carry out their duties. Fortunately, the man had only suffered light bruising and scratches and, despite the officers questioning him for a long time, he had refused to press charges against Vaughn. He had admitted that he had been out of line with his advances towards her and he just wanted to put it behind him.

It transpired that his name was Edwin Dunn and he was the founder of a company that had fallen victim to the recession. He had been trying to re-build it ever since and attending this conference had been his last-ditch attempt to get things back on track. He had been looking to gain some contacts as well as additional skills but unfortunately he had realised early on that he was substantially older than most of the other delegates and hopelessly out of touch with the modern way of doing business. He had grabbed a bottle and gone for a walk, realising that it was time to accept that it was over. His life’s work had come to an end and ultimately amounted to nothing - Elise had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He was now totally sober and had apologised to her again, explaining that he had a wife and children and emphasising that this behaviour was completely out of character for him. Surprisingly, Elise found it easy enough to accept his apology and refused to press any charges herself. He was going to be dealing with the guilt of what he had done every day and he was going to be pretty sore from his injuries for a while. He also had the shame of admitting it to his family and Elise felt that that was more than enough penance. She too just wanted to forget the whole ugly incident.

Vaughn had been given a police warning, and as he had no previous record, that had been the end of the matter. Elise couldn’t believe that in less than a week, all of the men in her life had managed to pick up a police caution. She smiled at the irony, as the old saying about buses arriving all at once, sprang to mind but the fact that she was the root cause of all of their troubles with the law didn’t rest easily with her. If she could go back and relive the last week then she would, in a heartbeat.

Unfortunately Mr Andrews Snr had been contacted by the hotel as a matter of course and Vaughn had been told to return to the office as soon as possible to explain his actions. As the largest shareholder in the company, Elise found it strange that Vaughn was accountable to anyone but she didn’t know the intricacies of the agreement and Mr Andrews Snr did command respect amongst all of the staff.

By lunchtime, the furore had largely died down and the conference had resumed as normal. Vaughn had not spoken to Elise since he had broken down in her arms; instead he had concentrated on dealing with the police and apologising to Sam and the others. It had been agreed that they would stay on and finish the conference but Elise and Vaughn were going to leave and return to the office. There were bridges that needed building, and after Vaughn had straightened as much out as he could with the hotel management, Elise found herself back in his car, bag packed and heading towards Eastwood, ready to face the inevitable music.





The journey was silent for a while with both lost in their thoughts. Elise couldn’t begin to comprehend why Vaughn had reacted so strongly to what had happened and she had no idea how to broach the subject. There were so many levels to this man that she was beginning to uncover, and it just reinforced her concerns of the night before that she really knew hardly anything about him at all. She knew that he had money but she had no idea where it had come from. She knew that he had bought a controlling stake in Andrews & Andrews yet he still seemed to answer to Mr Andrews Snr. She knew that he wasn’t married – at least she hoped that he wasn’t - and she knew that he had been hopelessly drunk the first night she had met him. She had also gleaned some connection to Stephen’s sister Natalie, who, until a few days ago, Elise didn’t even know existed. She remembered him saying that he had a happy home life with parents and a sister living some distance away. And she also knew that he had slept with Olivia.

That was the sum total of her knowledge of Mr Vaughn Granger.

Unable to bear the silence any longer she decided to try to talk and see if she could make sense of things. They had shared a connection last night and his reaction to Edwin Dunn had suggested that he must have some feelings for her if he was willing to fight her corner like that. She just hoped that there was still something there for them to salvage out of all of this mess and was beyond understanding how on earth things had suddenly become even more complicated.

“Vaughn – I need to know.” She began quietly, hesitantly. “What the hell happened back there?”

Vaughn looked across at her, his eyes dark and empty, and she had the distinct feeling that he had almost forgotten that she was there. Lost in his own world, lost in his past or perhaps even his present. Wherever he was, it was a place that was clearly the origin of heartache and a place that had caused this beautiful, strong man to break down in her arms.

“I....” he began, hesitantly, reluctantly, “I saw him - Edwin Dunn - when I came out of the conference room. He had his hand on your arm, you were trying to get away and bloody Sam was just stood there, totally oblivious. I could see you were scared, Elise, and I couldn’t bear it – I just saw red and lost control. I needed to get to you and to get him away from you and things got out of hand. No one touches you like that – ever. No one.”

His defence of her honour was one thing and his desire to protect her had been overwhelming. She had never had anyone look out for her before and the fact that he had cared enough to put his career and health on the line touched her deep down, somewhere near her heart. In places that he had no business residing.

But that didn’t change the fact that she had been really scared of what he would do – scared that he would seriously hurt the man. He didn’t seem to know when to stop. That had been a side to Vaughn that she hadn’t known existed and a side that she would rather not have seen. She shivered involuntarily as the shock started to kick in.

“I thought you were going to kill him, Vaughn. I was so scared.” She whispered. “He really didn’t do anything to me and I’m fairly certain he wouldn’t have carried through with his threats. You saw him afterwards; he was a decent bloke just down on his luck. If I hadn’t managed to stop you, I dread to think what would have happened.” Elise shivered again, the reality at last hitting home.

“I was always in control, Elise. He was never in any danger. I just needed him to get the message and leave you the hell alone. You are mine. No one messes with what is mine.” He glanced across at her in the dusk light of the car, his voice controlled and dark and not for the first time she realised what a commanding force this man could be. She needed to make him understand that she was not anybody’s property and moreover, realise how close to Dale tendencies he was sailing, with his current attitude. She would not enter another relationship based on violence, regardless of how well intentioned it was.

“I’ve never seen anyone so angry. Even Dale after a drink would be no match for what I’ve just witnessed.”

Vaughn flinched, no doubt at the comparison with her husband but he needed to understand that he had overstepped the mark. Violence was a daily part of her life and if there was to be any hope for them, he had to understand that she wanted rid of it from her life altogether. She was not going to go from the proverbial frying pan into the fire.

“You have to understand,” she continued “that if this thing between us is going to happen, it has to represent something new; something beautiful and pure. I’ve seen enough violence and experienced enough violence to last me a lifetime and I can’t put myself into another situation where scores are settled using fists. I refuse to do it.” She knew that she was making everything black and white with her attitude but she could not afford for there to be any misunderstandings. It would hurt enough now but weeks and months down the road, violence as a regular feature would break her completely and she knew without a doubt that she would not be strong enough to rebuild again.

This time when Vaughn looked across at her she saw the regret in his eyes and he lowered them momentarily, almost in shame, before turning back to the road.

“I understand, Elise, and I’m sorry.” He took a deep breath. “I saw that man with his hands on you and my heart stopped. I thought he was going to hurt you. I thought that I was going to lose you. I thought......it doesn’t matter. I know that we’ve only just met but last night...” he paused, “...last night meant so much to me, more than you can ever begin to understand. This has to happen, and I am terrified of it being taken away. I know I said I would settle for one night, for whatever part of you I could have, but I was only ever fooling myself. I can’t let you go now – I won’t let you go and I won’t apologise for that.”

Elise watched as a single tear rolled down his cheek, his eyes glued to the road, and she was reminded of him sobbing on her shoulder a short while earlier. The depth of his emotion was intense and she was smart enough to realise that she wasn’t the full story. For someone to experience such highs and lows there had to be more to it and she knew that he was holding out on her. Something had happened for those emotions to be out there, especially for a man and whilst she didn’t doubt the sincerity of his words, she began to wonder if she was merely the trigger to a much bigger issue. She sighed at the irony of ending up with this unforgiving attraction to a man who, in his own way, appeared to be just as bruised and battered as she was.

Accepting that there really wasn’t much more for either of them to say on the subject for the moment, she let the silence extend a while and then decided to change the focus, and ask him about something else that had been bothering her.

“Vaughn, when we were at the hotel...well, I was wondering why I had a different room to everyone else?” She asked and he looked across at her in surprise, clearly perplexed at her abrupt change of subject.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I saw the room that the girls and guys’ shared and mine was so different – like yours. I thought it was a bit strange, that was all.”

“I don’t know,” he replied somewhat unconvincingly, “We were an odd number and perhaps they had to split us up – maybe that was the only accommodation they had available.” He shrugged, a little too innocently, and she noted that his eyes never once strayed from the road as if he was afraid to look at her.

She let it ride for a moment and then carried on.

“Don’t you think it’s strange though? I mean I can understand you having a better room but Tilly is way more senior than me; I would have thought Mr Andrews Snr would have given her the upgrade.” She smiled and watched as a slightly panicked expression crossed his face when he realised that she wasn’t going to give this one up.

“I don’t know Elise...honestly I don’t.” He replied, but the little tic in his jaw was a dead giveaway. He was lying and he knew that she knew that he was lying. She debated dropping a few more hints and slowly reeling him in but in the end she decided to just go for broke and ask him outright.

“Vaughn, why did you pay for my room upgrade?”

The shock on his face was priceless.

“How the hell did you..??? Oh - Cole.” He said as understanding dawned. “Bastard. He was supposed to keep that to himself.”

She laughed. “You need to learn that Cole is a rubbish liar and even worse when it comes to keeping anything from me. You never stood a chance.”

He looked at her and growled. “I’ll have to remember that.”

She smiled, “Anyway, you’ve still not answered the question. Why did you pay for my room?”

He glanced across at her briefly and then pulled the car over to a lay-by a few yards ahead. Switching off the engine he turned to face her and took both of her hands into his.



“Lots of reasons,” he said and she sat patiently while she waited for him to continue.

“I paid for it because I could; I paid for it because I wanted you near me; I paid for it so that you would be comfortable and I paid for it so that you could have a beautiful view but ultimately, I paid for it so that you could enjoy your one night away from your hellish life in complete and utter luxury. You deserve the best, Elise, and I want to be the one to give it to you.”

She felt tears prick at the back of her eyes as she took in his words and their meaning. This man who she had known just over a week had seen through her, seen the truth of her situation, understood what she needed and had gone out of his way to make sure she experienced something different to the life that she was used to. It didn’t matter that it was only for one night and that she was at this very moment headed back to reality. What mattered was that this man had cared enough to think about it and she had never experienced anything like it before. Cole reached her on a level unlike anyone else but this man in front of her now - this beautiful, strong, wonderful man; was digging deeper even than she could go and she realised he was stripping her bare, running through her defences and breaking down her walls. Even if she had the heart to stop him, she didn’t think that she could.

Clear blue eyes connected with dark brown and Elise mouthed, “Thank you” in the silence of the car. She didn’t trust herself to speak, so raw were her emotions right now.

Vaughn nodded as if in understanding and mouthed back, “You’re very welcome” before pulling her to him and crushing her against his solid chest. She clung to him, taking strength and acknowledging what this man had done for her; not just in upgrading her room but in standing up for her with Edwin Dunn. For coming out and for fighting her corner. She was used to being on her own and having to deal with whatever came her way but this warmth that she was feeling now – that was something else entirely and she wondered whether she would ever be able to stand on her own two feet again.

Vaughn rested his cheek on her head and ran his fingers through the length of her hair. Presently, he lifted her chin up and their eyes met before he claimed her mouth in a beautiful sensual kiss; neither of them needing words to express their emotions. It didn’t take long for the tension to build however and the kiss soon deepened becoming more passionate and more demanding.

Their mouths opened in perfect synchronisation and Elise heard Vaughn groan as their tongues collided and meshed. He started running his hands down her back and she clung to him, moving her hands across his shoulders and then down his front and across his chest, feeling his pecs and abs ripple as she moved. He mirrored her actions, bringing his hands underneath her jacket at the front, caressing her breasts lightly, tweaking her nipples before he reluctantly pulled away, releasing her with a final gentle kiss.

“We’re in a public lay-by and as much as I want to take this further, I think I’m already in enough trouble. I don’t need two run-ins with the cops on the same day.” He smiled apologetically. “I think you just made me a promise though, Elise Grayson.” And he swatted her thigh playfully as he re-started the car and pulled back onto the road.



Elise looked out of the window and tried to gather her thoughts. If Vaughn hadn’t stopped then, she wasn’t sure that she would have. She was well aware that they were in a public place but ever since last night in the ballroom, she had found herself thinking more and more about the thrill of being caught and she was scared to realise just how much that turned her on. She had never considered herself to be an exhibitionist and certainly wasn’t in that league now but this extra dimension to sex was something that she had never experienced and she wanted more of it. It was like she had been kept under lock and key, set in her ways and now she was free; let out, able to experience everything new and fresh and she wanted to make the most of this opportunity.

“You ok, Elise?” Vaughn asked as she continued to remain silent.

She turned to him and smiled. “I’m fine...” She paused, “It’s been a hell of a couple of days.”


.

They finally arrived back at the office just after 4.30pm having hit some traffic on the motorway. Elise was hoping that they could just slip in unnoticed so that she could collect her car and head home. She was shattered and needed some time to process everything that had happened. Had it really been only yesterday that she had left the office?

As Vaughn pulled into his parking space and killed the engine, he put his hand on her arm to stop her when she went to get out of his car.

“This isn’t the end, Elise. Promise me that you won’t give up on us now. I know that we have a lot to work through and that this is not ideal timing - perhaps for either of us - but this needs to happen. I need this to happen.” He released a breath and ran his hand through his hair, leaving it to flop adorably over his face. She loved it when he did that.

“We’ve got Christmas coming up,” he continued, “so I’ll be heading over to my sister’s for a few days. We’ll be apart by necessity but you have to remember what I’ve said and trust that I mean this. After Christmas we’ll talk, I promise. This will happen.”

Elise looked across at Vaughn and nodded. “I don’t have any answers,” she said “but last night changed a lot of things for me too and I know that I’m not done here either. Maybe the time apart will be good for us – less intense. Perhaps with clearer heads we’ll be able to sort through what this all means to us individually.”

Her words sounded convincing but her heart was beyond believing them. The thought of not seeing him for a few days was already tearing her apart and it terrified her how far he had insinuated himself into her life in such a short space of time. She had no idea how she was going to go home and pretend like everything was exactly as it always had been. She was no actress but she was going to have to find some skills from somewhere, somehow.

Vaughn leaned across and grabbed her face in-between his hands, making sure that she looked directly into his eyes.

“I have no right to ask this, but I am going to anyway.” He hesitated, almost as if searching for the right words. “Can you promise me that you won’t sleep with Dale? I can’t bear to think of him touching you. I know that he is your husband and that you both have every right to in a way, but I just need to hold onto the fact that you are being faithful to me while we are apart – however twisted that might sound.”

Totally twisted but utterly beautiful. Elise turned her head and kissed his palm, lingering there for a moment.

“I can’t promise you that I won’t have sex with Dale. If he’s had a drink then...well, you know. But I can promise you that I won’t sleep with Dale voluntarily. It’s been a long time since it’s been consensual anyway.....” she stopped as painful memories crowded in and she mentally pushed them away. “Since last night, there is no way that I could give him what he needs now. I need to move on from my life with him but you are going to have to let me sort it out in my own way and in my own time. That’s the best I can promise.”

Vaughn looked at her and she watched as a sudden expression of fury flitted across his face, the anger from earlier returning and he focused directly in on the first part of her statement.

“Will that bastard force you, Elise? Will he? Shit! How the hell can I leave you now?”

“Hey...” she said placatingly, cupping his hands that were still holding her face. “I don’t know whether he will or not; chances are that he won’t – sometimes he overdoes the alcohol just a little too much if you know what I mean. Try not to worry, I’ll be fine.” She hoped rather than believed that that would be the case. Christmas always meant sex but she wasn’t about to tell Vaughn that. She had coped with it every year up until now and she would cope with it again. This year would be different though because maybe this year, she would be coping with it in the knowledge that this would be her last year, and in the madness that was her life, what better Christmas present could she ask for than that?

Vaughn looked at her with disbelief and worry in his eyes but he obviously realised that there was little he could do and that he would just have to trust that she would be ok.

“I hate the thought of leaving you now.” He said, “You have no idea how much I wish things were different.”

She smiled at him. “Me too, but it is what it is and I promise it’ll all be fine. One day, this will sort itself out – it has to.”

Vaughn moved his thumbs and began gently caressing her cheeks as he continued to gaze into her eyes and she dropped her hands to her lap. For long moments words were unnecessary until eventually he broke the silence.

“Elise, why don’t you wear a wedding ring?” he asked and she could tell that he placed a lot of importance on the symbolism of this gesture.

She shrugged - the answer wasn’t anywhere near as mysterious as the effect it clearly had on him.

“A few years back I got an allergy and had really bad eczema on my hands. My fingers were sore and swollen so I had to remove all my rings. They thought it was something to do with the stress and medication.....” she stopped, realising that she had inadvertently revealed something that she wasn’t ready to go into and desperately hoped that he wouldn’t pursue it. “Anyway, by the time my hands had healed, things weren’t great between Dale and I and it just never seemed the right time to put it back on. I kept expecting him to mention it but he never did. I guess it’s because I kept my maiden name as well – perhaps he just didn’t think it was that important. We’ve never talked about it since.”

Vaughn moved his hands to cover hers and deliberately ran his finger up and down the third finger on her left hand all the while watching his actions, totally entranced.

“I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want their ring on your finger.” He said. “If you were mine, there would be no question of anyone thinking you were anything but married to me.”

His last words were spoken forcefully and Elise was surprised at the emotion behind them. Although she understood the symbolism of the ring, the fact that she didn’t wear it didn’t make her any less married than if she did. Clearly Vaughn didn’t share that view and in some ways she could see what he meant. The ring was visual and gave out an instant message and for the first time she could understand how her not wearing a ring could be a cause for confusion and misunderstanding.

Suddenly there was a loud knocking on the car window which made them both jump, and they instantly broke apart.

Elise recovered first and wound down her window. “Shit, Cole! You really need to stop sneaking up on me – I swear you are going to give me a heart attack one day!”

Cole just smiled at her with infuriating innocence. “Hey, beautiful! Good conference?” He leaned in further to address Vaughn, “They’re waiting for you upstairs. Apparently Annabel had to let them know the second you entered the building so she has been watching the security camera like a hawk. They know you’re back, mate, and they’re not too pleased.”

“Shit.” Vaughn said and reached over to give Elise’s hand one last squeeze before exiting the car. Cole opened Elise’s door and helped her out before enveloping her in a big hug.

“So, what happened? Can’t I leave you on your own for five minutes?” She could feel Cole’s chest rumbling against hers as he spoke and she allowed herself a brief moment to inhale his comforting scent.

“Ha ha, very funny.” She pushed away from him and went around to the boot to collect her bag. Vaughn already had his and was about to walk into the building when Cole stopped him.

“Vaughn, Elise – there’s something you need to know. That’s why I came down here. I wanted to give you the heads up.” He stopped and took Elise’s hand, rubbing it absently with his thumb. Vaughn’s eyes drifted and noted the gesture but he didn’t comment.

“Everyone knows what happened at the conference; it’s all round the office. It seems that Tilly called Annabel to let her know you would be coming back early and – well, you can imagine the rest. The rumour mill is in overdrive and although no one knows the full story people are speculating about why you would get into a fight over Elise, Vaughn. Everyone knows she is married and the reactions are ranging from shock to morbid excitement, depending on which side of the fence you are sitting on. Stephen and I have been fire-fighting for the last couple of hours but there is only so much we can do. Oh and Elise, Olivia is seriously pissed.” Cole finished talking and glanced across at Elise. So too did Vaughn.

“Shit! Christ, Elise, I am so sorry – I just didn’t think. F*ck – what a mess.” Vaughn rubbed his hand across his eyes. “I better go in and talk to them and see what I can do. It’s no one’s business but ours. Christ, I really didn’t want your name dragged through the mud over this.”

Elise reached across and put a hand on his arm. “It’s OK, Vaughn,” she said resigned, “This was bound to come out sooner or later. Later would have been better but we’ll have to deal with it, I guess. I’ll be the scarlet woman for a while but the people that matter to me know the truth and that’s all I care about.” As she finished speaking, a sudden thought crossed her mind.

“Christ – Dale! Does he know any of this?” As far as she was aware, Dale was not on speaking terms with any of her colleagues but he had met some of them a few times at various functions. If he had happened to phone in for her, maybe to see what time she was getting back, then someone may have let it slip. Technically, all that had happened was that Vaughn had defended her against some over amorous delegate. Unfortunately his behaviour was so over the top, that she doubted anyone would believe that that was all there was to it. All it took was a vivid imagination and the very efficient rumour mill and, hey presto, something very close to the truth could easily be circulating.

“Not as far as I know, babe.” answered Cole, “but I wouldn’t know if he’s called your direct line and spoken to anyone. Hopefully, if he did, he spoke to Stephen. Annabel said that no one had called for you when I asked her on the way down. I’ve been telling everyone to mind their own business and that you would never cheat on your husband but I don’t know how much good it’s done. The evidence is fairly overwhelming and from the look on your faces I know that I’ve been lying to them. Everyone else will see it in a heartbeat. We can keep lying, babe, and you know I would do that for you but maybe it’s time to face up to all of this. When people know the whole truth about your life, they won’t judge you because they won’t be able to. Besides which, I really am a crap liar.”

Elise gave Cole a watery smile – he really was the world’s worst liar, just as she had told Vaughn herself earlier today. Maybe she did need to own up to the truth but in the cold light of day, what the hell had it got to do with any of her colleagues anyway? Her marriage may be in trouble but that was no one’s business but hers and she was damned if she was going to let some dried up old harridans dictate who should and shouldn’t know.

“Thanks, Cole, but I’m not owning up to anything. It’s no one’s right to know what is going on in mine or Vaughn’s life. The only people that are interested are those that are too sad to have a life of their own. The important people in my life know the truth – the rest of them can just believe what the hell they like. If you don’t feel comfortable lying then don’t. Just tell them you don’t know anything and leave it at that.”

“It’s not that simple,” Cole replied, “Olivia has been telling anyone who will listen that she saw you and Vaughn leaving the nightclub together the other night. Even I didn’t know about that so I’ve had a hell of a job trying to convince people that it was innocent. Stephen has been saying that he and Vaughn were there together at a party and that they left together later but people would rather believe Olivia’s version. Elise, you and I really need to talk but for now - you’ve got some pretty serious shit to face.” Cole looked at her and for the first time she saw the hurt in his eyes. She hadn’t been honest with him and hadn’t had the chance to in reality, but even so, as far as Cole was concerned, she had been holding out on him and as a result had hurt him in the worst possible way.

“That bitch!” Vaughn said, “Who the hell gave her the right to be judge and jury on my life?” He was seriously angry now but so was Elise. She was mad at herself for getting herself into this situation and mad that she had hurt Cole. She needed someone to lash out at and if it hadn’t been for Vaughn sleeping with Olivia after the Christmas party then maybe Olivia wouldn’t have had an axe to grind and none of this would have escalated like it so obviously had.

“I think you’ll find you gave her the right,” she spat back at him, “when you went and slept with her just over a week ago!”

“You’re seriously taking this out on me?” Vaughn asked incredulously, “Throwing something back in my face that you believe to be true – after everything that has happened?”

“Who the f*ck else am I going to blame?” she was shouting by now. “Sure my life was messed up before you came along but at least I was in control of it. Now, ever since you decided to walk in and turn it upside down, I’m so out of control of it that it’s ridiculous! It’s like someone else is living my day-to-day life and I’m just a passenger waiting for it all to come crashing down. It’s alright for you, you have nothing to lose. You can just go back to playing happy families with Olivia or whichever bitch you pick up with next. This is my life and thanks to you it is pretty royally f*cked up. I wish to hell that I’d never met you, Vaughn Granger!”

“Elise – that’s enough.” Cole said, “You’re both upset and angry and saying things you don’t mean. Let’s just calm down and think about it or the shit really will hit the fan when you go inside.”

Vaughn hadn’t moved, he was standing by the side of his car, bag in hand, staring at Elise. She looked up at him, aware that in the heat of the moment she had gone too far but she couldn’t take the words back now. They were out there. His face was cold and his eyes expressionless as he continued to regard her. For a brief moment, the familiar fleeting look of pain crossed his face as their eyes locked but then he smoothed his features back into a carefully controlled mask.

“You really think you’re the only one with something to lose?” he asked quietly, continuing to watch her for several long seconds.

She remained silent; she had no idea what to say. He shook his head helplessly and she saw the beginning of tears glistening in his eyes. He shrugged once and then he turned on his heel and walked silently out of the car park and into the office.



Elise watched as his broad back retreated and tortured herself by watching his hips sway, admiring his neat backside. She knew that she had blown it. In the space of a few minutes, she had hurt the two men that she loved most in the world. As unbelievable as it sounded, she had fallen in love with Vaughn. It was instinctive, it was pure and it sure as hell made no sense but there it was. Somehow, somewhere, this man had got inside of her head and she seriously doubted whether she would ever be able to convince him to leave.

Physically though, he had just left her - walked away. It was over. And as that realisation hit and reality sunk in she felt the world around her beginning to spin and sway, before the blessed relief of blackness claimed her.