I'm so sorry that it took me so long to update. I'll try my best to finish off the story, I promise! Without further ado, I hope you enjoy.
When I awoke, I was alone in my chambers. Lying in bed, my body ached and each movement was met with an indescribable pain; my head was throbbing, threatening to explode. I coughed, slowly propping myself up. America! Where was America? The thought hit me like a train.
I heard shuffling at the door before a quiet knock. "Come in," I managed in a hoarse voice. It was Lucy, one of America's ladies in waiting. She curtseyed, bowing her head low.
"Your Majesty, I am so glad that you have awakened-"she began.
I cut her off before she could proceed any further. "America? What happened to America? Where is she? Is she alright? What happened? Why am I here?" The questions came, pouring out of me as the events of the other day slowly came back to me. I held back a sob of misery.
"I'm sorry your majesty. Lady America, she told me to give you this letter after the selection ended," said Lucy with a sorrow look on her face.
"What is this? I demand to know what happened to Lady America. Tell me Lucy, tell me now!" I tried to keep my voice strong but my willpower was fading. My mind was jumping to various conclusions, each of the scenarios only getting worse and worse.
"I'm so sorry you Majesty. Lady America she," her voice broke as a few tears escaped and rolled down her cheeks. "I just- I'm so- your Majesty she's- she is…" Lucy's voice trailed off as she broke down in sobs.
My heart dropped as my mind went blank. "It's alright Lucy, you're dismissed. Get some rest. Thank you for the letter," I responded stoically. On the outside I appeared put together but on the inside, my heart felt like it was being broken into tiny unfixable pieces.
"Thank you, your majesty. I am so sorry." Lucy left the room.
Silent sobs wracked my body. The tears were freely falling as I was left alone to my own devices. There was no other explanation for it. There couldn't be any other explanation. The America I had fallen for, the one girl I was truly in love with, she was gone.
Memories were running through my mind as I reminisced about our short time together.
I thought back to when I first laid eyes on her. She was arguing with the guards, wanting to be let out. I still remember her first words to me. "I am not your dear," she said.
I smile thinking of how far we have come. She was always feisty and I loved her for that; America had a passion, a burning fire, and that was something that made her stand out to me.
From the very first moment I laid my eyes on her, she captured my attention. I think, deep down inside, I always knew that she was the one.
Our first kiss would always be a tender moment for me; it would, inevitably, be a memory that I would treasure to the grave. I knew she wasn't interested in me, but I couldn't help it. I wanted her to be my first; I yearned for her to be that one special girl.
I laugh as I think back to my nervous rambling. "I'm so sorry. I've never kissed anyone before. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm just… I'm sorry, America." She was incredibly kind to me and I'll never forget the way she whispered "Yes, Maxon" as I asked her if she'd ever be willing to love me.
I remembered how beautiful she looked at Kriss' party, the way her eyes sparkled.
I loved everything about America and now, I won't ever get the chance to fix my mistakes. I honestly don't know if I would have chosen Kriss if the attack never happened. I truly cannot say. America was always going to hold a special place in my heart and no matter how hard I tried to deny it, I couldn't; I just couldn't change that fact.
The way she took my face in both of her hands and sincerely announced, "Maxon Shreave, I love you," my heart beats just to hear those wonderful words come out of her mouth.
I wasn't lying when I told her that I wanted more than heirs with her. I really do want to share everything with America, the holidays, birthdays, busy seasons and lazy weekends. From our inside jokes to inevitable but trivial fights, I wanted to experience all of that with her.
I almost threw all of that away just because I saw her hand on that guard's chest. She tried to explain to me, but I wouldn't give her the chance to talk all because I was foolish and headstrong. The heartbroken look on her face, and the loud soul-wrenching sobs, they will also be a memory of her I will never be able to forget.
We had the perfect future planned out and it all just dissipated in the blink of an eye. Looking towards my bedside table, I see a blade resting innocently there. My eyes blurred with tears as I reached towards its handle.
I had once chance to make the woman I truly loved my wife, and I blew it. I, Maxon Shreave, screwed up royally and nothing could be done about it anymore. I should have protected her. I should have given her a chance to explain. I should have been the one shot, not her. Sadly, it was just too late for regrets. I was too late and too stubborn to change anything and for that, America, I apologize.
America Singer, I love you. I always have, and I always will.
I'm sorry this chapter was so short but know that this is not the conclusion. However, I will end off by saying that things are not always what they seem.
