Page 36 of Maxim

“Olena, I’m coming in.”

I open the door quickly. What I find is something that will haunt me for the rest of my life.

Olena, my beautiful Olena, floating in red-tinged water. The smell of copper fills the room as her pale skin shines in the light of the bathroom. Her lips are no longer a bright pink. They are taking on more of a blue hue.

Looking down, I find the source of the bleed. It breaks my heart in two.

Taking a knife from my pocket, I grab a towel, cutting it in two. Dropping to my knees next to Olena, I tie one half on one wrist before doing the same on the other. Then I scoop her from the water, standing with her in my arms.

Without thought, I rush through the house. I quickly type in the code for the alarm, grabbing my keys as I fling the door open, not bothering to close it behind me.

I get her to my car, putting her in the passenger seat before running toward the driver’s side. Then I dial Alexei.

“You shouldn’t be calling me on this line. It’s not secure.”

“I don’t give a fuck. I need a doctor now.” I can hear the panic in my voice.

“What happened?” he asks.

“Olena fucking slit her wrists. Doctor. Now.”

“Sending you the address now. I’ll get someone to the house to clean it up.”

“Whatever, man. Not the priority,” I tell him as I hang up. Then I tap on the address he sent me, bringing up GPS. “Hold on, Olena. Only a little longer.”

The entire drive, all I can think about is how I did this to her. I bought her, then I chained her. I thought it was what was best for her, but I fucked up. She is obviously so unhappy that she is willing to end her life.

I can’t lose her.

I don’t know when, but I started to think of her as important to me. It’s more than wanting her to have a good life. I want to care for her. Protect her.

I failed her.

I make the ten-minute drive in five, breaking all of the laws. I dared a police officer to try and stop me, though.

The doctor is waiting on the porch for us.

“Bring her in quickly, son,” he says.

I nod, getting Olena from the passenger seat. I rush her inside, following the doctor as he leads me to what looks like a sterile operating room.

“She slit her wrists?” he asks, pointing to the table.

I lie her down, staying close to her as I nod. “She was in the bath.”

“Do you know her blood type?” he asks as he examines her.

“No.”

He swipes some of her blood, turning to a machine. Then he continues to examine her.

“A negative. I need to call an O negative donor.” He frowns.

“I’m O negative. Take it from me.”

He looks up, surprised. “Are you sure? It will make you lightheaded.”

I pull up my sleeve, grabbing a stool from the corner as I set up next to Olena. “Whatever she needs, you do. I don’t care if you drain me dry.”