## Chapter 7: The Aftermath

The warmth of Joel's arms was a comforting balm to Esme's frazzled nerves. As she stood there, wrapped in his embrace, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. The events of the night seemed to fade into the background, replaced by the gentle rhythm of Joel's heartbeat. But as the minutes ticked by, Joel's anger began to simmer down, replaced by a deep concern for Esme's well-being. "We need to get you to the hospital, just to be sure," he said, his voice gentle but firm. Esme hesitated, but Joel was insistent. He helped her into the car, and they drove to the emergency room in silence. The only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the occasional beep of a car horn. As they arrived at the hospital, Joel took Esme's hand in his, his fingers intertwining with hers. They walked into the emergency room, and Esme was immediately greeted by a friendly nurse. "Hi there, what seems to be the problem?" the nurse asked, her eyes scanning Esme's face. Esme explained the events of the night, and the nurse nodded sympathetically. "Let's get you checked out," she said. The nurse led them to a small examination room, where a doctor was waiting. He examined Esme's hand, probing her knuckles gently. "Does that hurt?" he asked. Esme winced, nodding. The doctor nodded, making a few notes on his chart. "It looks like you've got a few bruised knuckles, but nothing too serious. I'll prescribe you some painkillers and recommend that you keep your hand iced for the next few days." Esme breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the doctor. As they left the hospital, Joel turned to her, his eyes searching. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you," he said, his voice low. Esme smiled, her heart swelling with emotion. "You were there for me, Joel. You always are." Joel's face softened, and he pulled her into his arms. They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's embrace. As they walked back to the car, Esme realized that she had been given a wake-up call. She didn't have to face everything alone. She had Joel, and she had a support system that cared about her. But as they drove back to her house, Esme's mind began to wander. What would happen to the man who had touched her? Would he face any consequences for his actions? And what about her job at the bar? Would she be able to go back? The questions swirled in her mind, and Esme knew that she had a lot to think about. But for now, she was just grateful to have Joel by her side. As they pulled into her driveway, Joel turned to her, his eyes serious. "I have an idea," he said. Esme raised an eyebrow, curious. "What is it?" Joel's face was set in a determined expression. "I want you to press charges against that man. I want him to face consequences for what he did." Esme's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't thought about that. But as she looked into Joel's eyes, she knew that he was right. "Okay," she said, her voice firm. Joel's face softened, and he pulled her into his arms. "I'm here for you, Esme," he whispered. "I'll support you every step of the way." And in that moment, Esme knew that she was ready to face whatever came next. She was ready to take back control of her life, and to make sure that no one ever hurt her again.