CHAPTER TWENTY

Three days after being admitted to hospital, Aria was released with strict orders not to aggravate her vocal chords. Spending three days unable to speak or eat without causing significant pain was enough to drive anybody mad and her hand had begun to crap up from the sheer amount of writing she had to do just to communicate. Now Aria was able to talk in a soft whisper, and as the nurse had promised, she was also onto more delicious foods.

The worst part of those three days was the absence of Ezra. Every time the door of her room would open, Aria would look up anxiously, hoping it was Ezra. But each time she was left disappointed and little lonelier. She had asked her mother about him, and she had replied that she would follow up, but Ella never mentioned him again. Aria suspected her mother had still not come to terms with Ezra being in her life. Her numerous text messages to him went unanswered, and even though she couldn't speak, she called him dozens of time, all going straight to message bank.

"Home sweet home," Her mother said as she led Aria through the front door.

Aria was about to make a bitter comment, but stopped short as she looked around. The house did not resemble the dank and dark place Aria had remembered. Broken photos and furniture no longer littered the floor. Instead new pictures had been hung; those of Aria and Mike, Ella and Zack. All smiling faces of those she loved the most. Looking to the kitchen, Aria could see that all of the empty bottles had been removed and the place no longer smelt like a bar. A Fresh vase of flowers sat on the counter top, which matched the new yellow paint on the walls.

Ella had gone to a lot of trouble to erase any traces Byron from the house and the sentiment both surprised and saddened Aria.

"Mike helped with the painting." Ella gushed. "He has been such a help getting the house the way it is." She fell silent then and looked around at everything but her gaze avoided Aria. "I think he is just as eager to come home as you are."

"Mike was here?" Aria asked, suddenly feeling his absence.

Her mother nodded as she put away the groceries, but stopped so she could face her daughter. "He's just going to pick up his stuff from the place he was staying. He should be home by the afternoon."

Aria sighed and slumped down in the kitchen chair. She had seldom thought of Mike in the last few weeks. All her energy had gone into keeping herself safe that she never thought to check up on Mike and make sure he was okay.

"I should have gotten him out sooner." Aria said. "I thought it was only to me, I had no idea Mike-" she broke off, unable to say the words out loud.

"I keep looking for something to say to you." Her mother croaked, trying to hold back tears. Her pale hands gripped a bag of sugar so tightly; Aria thought it might burst open. "Please tell me what to say."

Aria could feel her own tears threatening to spill and she took a deep breath and then whispered, "Say anything, just don't say this is your fault."

Aria's words seemed to stir something in Ella and she finally broke into tears as she pulled Aria into her warm embrace. The mother and daughter stood like that, holding on to each other like their lives depended on it, both sharing and simultaneously easing each other's grief.

"Why don't you go and have a hot shower and jump into bed." Ella suggested as she pulled away.

Aria nodded, knowing that's exactly what she needed. She kissed her mothers cheek and headed up stairs.

It had been three days since she had stepped foot in a shower. She had been reluctant to even enter the hospital bathroom, let alone strip down and have a shower. A large mirror sat on the wall above the sink, and the first time Aria was allowed out of bed to use the toilet she had been disgusted by the girl looking back at her.

The bruises, a mixture of old and new, made a painful ring around her neck. Above her eye sat the gash from her collision with the kitchen bench and her eyes were blood shot; a side affect from the chocking. It was the image of a broken girl, one who was unable to ask for help, or to even stand up to her attacker. She was also afraid to see what was under the hospital gown, even though she knew that she would find more bruises and jutting bones. So instead she kept it on and did not shower for the remainder of her stay. She had even asked a nurse if they could give her another catheter, to eliminate the need to go into the bathroom at all, but she had only received a weird look and a curt 'no'.

It was late in the afternoon when Aria heard her bedroom door open. She had spent an hour soaking herself in a hot bath and had then jumped straight into bed. When she wasn't able to sleep she had forced herself to read a book to pass the time. But her mind kept roaming back to Ezra and she would then pick her phone up to see if he had called.

As the door clicked open, Aria sat up quickly in her bed, hoping it was Ezra. She silently chided herself for thinking of him again. They weren't even officially back together yet, but she felt like a love struck teenager every time he crossed her mind.

Her heart fell a little as Mike walked in, but it was quickly replaced with relief to see he was safe.

"Is it alright if I come in?" He asked tentatively.

"Of course!" She replied, tapping the edge of her bed. He accepted her offer and sat down next to her, trying to discreetly avoid her eyes. He sat there silently, as if trying to find the right words to say.

"It's nice to see you." She prompted. "I really missed having you around."

At first aria thought he was laughing, from the way his shoulders were shaking. But then the realization that he was actually crying painfully gripped her heart. She reached her hand out to squeeze his shoulder, knowing that he wasn't the hugging type, but he turned in her grip and fell into her. His head fell into the crook of her neck and his arms pulled around her tiny body.

"I'm so sorry." He sobbed. "I knew that kind of man he was but I still left you there."

She gripped him tighter, unsure of how to sooth his guilt. It seemed that everybody wanted to put the blame on themselves. Hindsight was an awful thing, but Aria knew that the only person that they should be blaming was her father. She soothed her brother, lightly rubbing his back and whispered reassuring words to him. When he had finally calmed down, he pulled away and wiped his nose on his sleeve.

"I thought me leaving would make things easier for you. He was always so angry with me. I just thought that if I was gone he wouldn't be so angry anymore."

"It's okay Mike." Aria assured him. "Really. Leaving was the best thing you could have done."

Mike nodded, but his glistening eyes showed he didn't agree. "Seriously Mike, let's forget about dad for the moment okay? I'm fine, you're fine."

Aria's words seemed to comfort Mike and he nodded again.

"I heard mum on the phone to the police. Apparently Meredith made a statement against dad and has backed up your story."

Aria blinked, surprised to be hearing about Meredith at all. She had expected the older woman to disappear; never to be seen again.

"Mum wasn't too impressed when she learnt that Meredith was living here and knew what was going on. I think the only thing that stopped mum from going down there and punching Meredith herself was the fact that Meredith is a witness against dad."

Aria smiled feebly but she felt a wave a nausea roll in her stomach.

"Are you nervous about going to court with him?" Mike continued, oblivious to his sisters unease.

Aria sighed and laid back down on her bed, silently wishing the conversation to end. "I'll think about it when its time. But for now I am way too exhausted to think about anything except where Ez-" She stopped herself short and heat began to rise in her cheeks. Mike looked back at her, his mouth tilted up in a knowing grin.

"Have you talked to him?"

"Not since that day." Aria tried to hide the concern in her voice. "I'm afraid I may have scared him off for good."

"Impossible." Mike said in a matter of fact kind of way. "That man loves you more than anything."

Aria snorted. "Well if you see him can you please remind him of that?" Mike laughed and gave his sister's arm a supportive squeeze.

"I will, but in the mean time, what should I tell the three angry and determined girls who are demanding to see you?" Aria groaned loudly causing Mike to laugh again. It was one more thing to feel guilty about and it made her head spin.

"I'll tell them everything tomorrow, but right now, I really need to sleep."

Firstly, I'd like apologise to my followers for the long delay. I don't usually share details of my personal life but since I have neglected this story for so long I thought I owed you all an explanation. You see, I am going to have a baby and it hasn't been the easiest pregnancy. When I'm not battling heartburn and the urge to vomit all over myself, I've been working full time, so I've hardly had a minute spare. I'm due in a couple of months and I really want to have this story completed by then. So unfortunately, this will be one of the last chapters. So thank you all for the lovely reviews (especially AriaEzraFan who kicked my butt into action.) And please continue to share the love xo

-Snellee