SM owns Twilight.

(CozItRunsInMyBlood /Rose B. Mashal) owns the plot.

(BandMum) is the wonderful beta.

Chapter 11 Part 2

Unfortunately, they walked away before Edward could answer the question and it was extremely difficult to hear what they were saying. I was aware that they hadn't actually left the basement because the door that led inside the house made a squeaking noise when it opened.

I still pretended to be asleep, not moving an inch, hoping I could hear more of what they were saying. All the while I lay there, my mind invented a hundred thoughts about who "the girls" were that Dr. Cullen asked about.

Who and where were they?

Maybe they were their girlfriends? Maybe they lived with them? That could explain the footsteps I heard yesterday. But Dr. Cullen never mentioned he had any relationship after his wife passed away. Not that I asked, or had the right to know, but he sounded like he was still grieving her. Maybe he would forever.

Also, I couldn't help but think that they could be other lab-rats. Dr. Cullen could have lied about me being the first human to test this medication. Maybe things went wrong and he had to hide them somewhere in that big house. Maybe Edward was monitoring them like he did with me. Was that why Dr. Cullen asked about them right after Edward explained my condition to him?

I didn't know. It could also be that the experiment had gone very well and they were now allowed inside the house. But my thoughts were too negative and dark to linger on something like that. Also, it would still mean that Dr. Cullen lied to me.

Exhaustion took over and I fell back to sleep while still trying to work out who the girls were. It wasn't long before I woke up again, startled from yet another nightmare which I didn't remember, and I was grateful for that.

I sat up on the bed and was attempting to get up when I heard Dr. Cullen's voice.

"Don't leave the bed, dear."

I jumped back a little, not expecting anyone to be in the room. I didn't know what time it was, but since Smokey wasn't making noises I assumed he was asleep, and he only slept a few hours in the early morning each day.

"I'm sorry, sir." I had no idea why I was apologizing, but knew I had to. Then I remembered how much Dr. Cullen disliked that, and I wanted to apologize for apologizing. Thankfully, he started talking before I decided what to say next.

"Be easy on yourself, Bella. You have a minor concussion and bled a little. Don't move too fast," he said from his spot on the chair.

"Yes, sir," I replied, trying my best not to show how freaked out I was by what he just said.

"How do you feel now?" He closed his laptop and turned to face me, waiting for my answer.

"My head hurts a little, and I feel nauseous," I told him hesitantly. Deep inside, I thought I shouldn't tell him how I truly felt; it could make him mad. But I also knew that he needed to know exactly how I was feeling for the medical record. He often encouraged me to do just that. It was difficult to change the habit of suffering in silence.

Dr. Cullen shook his head, pressing his lips into a thin line, and I wondered if I had pissed him off with my answer. "I'm very sorry you had to go through this, dear."

I frowned. Did he really feel sorry for my pain? Or did I hit my head so hard I was imagining things? I would go with the latter. I would always go with the latter. I was aware I was worthless.

"Th-thank you, sir." I wasn't sure if that was the right answer. I couldn't remember the last time someone told me they felt sorry for me. Maybe never.

"You were lucky Edward noticed your absence. I don't want to think of what might have happened if he had waited longer before deciding something was wrong and came to check on you."

I looked away, embarrassed and scared, but I also felt a tingle of warmth spread over my heart. It was difficult to believe someone cared enough to check on why I had taken so long in the bathroom.

You're as precious as a lab-rat, idiot, a voice in my head reminded me, and I internally nodded in agreement.

"Your assistant?" I asked, almost positive the answer was "yes", but wanted to make sure.

"That's right."

"Please, thank him on my behalf," I said.

"Will do." Dr. Cullen smiled.

"May I use the bathroom, sir?"

"Only if you feel you can hold yourself upright, dear." I nodded. I left the bed with shaky legs. My head felt very heavy, almost too heavy to hold up, but I managed to get inside the bathroom and close the door behind me.

I was still in the bathrobe I had wrapped myself in before I fell, and I couldn't shrug the feeling of embarrassment away. Fear crept into my heart with my dark thoughts, that I could have been naked in front of the two men while I was unconscious.

Swallowing thickly, I finished my business as fast as my body would let me. When I went to wash my hands, I almost scared myself with my reflection in the mirror. I had a full head bandage, and I looked miserable.

Great! At least the bandage is a new look.

When I came back from the bathroom, I had dressed in a T-shirt so big it was almost a gown and underwear. I was too tired to put on anything else. Dr. Cullen was still in the same spot, but back to typing on his laptop again.

He stopped when he saw me approach, and asked if he could help me to the bed.

"I'm fine, sir," I lied, going straight to sit on the bed, and Dr. Cullen sighed. I wondered if he could see through my bullshit. I looked anything but fine.

"Bella, we need to start the experiment as soon as possible. You're getting sicker by the minute. I don't want to think of what could happen if we don't. You might fall again, but never get up." My chest tightened at his words, and my nose tingled with the threat of oncoming tears. He was saying I was probably going to die very soon. Of course, he saw how bad I was getting, day by day.

"I understand that. We can start the examination at any time, sir." I looked down, my head throbbing with the slight movement.

"Are you sure about that, Bella?"

"Yes, sir. I'm sure."

Dr. Cullen was silent for a few moments before he spoke again. "Dear, I understand you don't like to be touched, and I'm aware it's out of your control that we can't start the examination without sending you straight into a panic attack. I truly don't want to push you to accept it, but you really need it, Bella."

"I understand that, sir."

"Look, I could give you something to make you more relaxed during the examination," he suggested, but I didn't say anything. "Or even something that could put you to sleep…"

"I would like that," I interrupted, looking him in the eye. I liked the idea. I could go to sleep, he would do the examination, and I could pretend it never happened. I won't have a memory of it. I had enough bad memories to last a lifetime and more. I was willing to give up making a new one.

"That's good, Bella," he said. "It's a place to start."

I nodded slightly, trying to return his smile. I knew I wouldn't stop stressing about it; I wouldn't be able to stop the thoughts. But it was better than nothing. It was time to hold up my end of the deal.

~WtSGD~

Author note:

My book "Black Keys – the second edition" is on pre-order on Amazon. Link is on my profile. :)

To save a stranger's life, she put her own in the hands of a man who represented everything she loathed.

Young CEO Marie Archer was shocked when her brother, Joseph, returned from the Middle East with a contract for a new office in the Kingdom of Alfaidya, a royal fiancée, and a wedding four days away.
Despite her concern over his rush to get married, there was nothing Marie wouldn't do for Joseph. She silenced the alarm bells echoing in her head and traveled halfway across the world with him to attend the wedding.
The language barrier in Alfaidya disoriented Marie, and she was bewildered when traditions demanded her involvement in the ceremony as the groom's sister.
The bride's brother, Crown Prince Mazen Alfaidy, fascinated Marie; a breathtakingly handsome man with mysterious eyes, his silent attentions to her only increased her confusion.
The last thing she expected was the brutal betrayal by her beloved brother, forcing her into an arranged marriage with Prince Mazen to seal a Sisters Trading deal.
Confined in the palace with a perfect stranger - a husband she doesn't know or trust - Marie's life is riddled with lies and secrets. Royal intrigue, traditions, and rules have put her in danger. Now, the new princess has a lot to learn, and many black keys to find.
Can she open her heart to a world so unlike her own, or will her prejudices prevent her from finding happiness?
Because when it comes to love, rules blur and traditions fade.
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.

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Until we meet later …
Cozy