35. A Vow to Protect

Michael's pov-

Sitting beside Abigail, I hold her delicate hand in mine, my worry and fear consuming me. The sight of her lying there, still recovering from the trauma inflicted upon her, fills me with a sense of guilt and remorse. She's suffering because of me, because of the tangled web of deceit and manipulation that we found ourselves in.

I trace the bruises on Abigail's neck, a painful reminder of Julie's vicious attack. The anger within me simmers, an unyielding fire fueled by the sight of the harm inflicted upon the woman I hold dear. I should have protected her, shielded her from the storm that brewed in our lives. But in that crucial moment, as Julie's hands tightened around Abigail's throat, I was paralyzed, unable to intervene.

A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts, and a familiar face enters the room. It's the doctor here to assess Abigail's condition. I watch intently as the doctor examines her, searching for any signs of further injury. The tension in the room is