"How can people be this cruel?" Emma asked herself aloud. She had been lying on Regina's couch for the past hour unable to sleep. Emma could not stop thinking about Regina's words. She felt so bad for the poor woman.
"Henry is right, you really do need to see a doctor," Emma kindly suggested.
Regina looked down at her lap for a moment. She took a long deep breath before finally deciding to slowly speak.
"I can't, Emma." After a short pause Regina continued, "He was there."
Emma gave Regina a look of sorrow before she finished her explanation.
"Dr. Whale, he was there. He hit me, and hit me. I could hear my own bones crack as the bat made contact with my skin. He would never help me. I looked into his eyes and all I saw was pure hate. He wanted to kill me. He doesn't want me to be alive."
Regina never looked up but Emma could still see the haunted look in her eyes. In that moment Emma had never wanted anything more in her life. She wanted to get revenge. She wanted to make the people who hurt this beautiful strong woman pay.
"Who elseā¦. Who else was there?" Emma asked almost afraid for the answer.
"Everyone."
"Even," Emma started.
"Yes," Regina cut off. Regina wasn't sure if she made the right decision. Should she have told Emma that her own parents tried to kill her? Regina did not want to be responsible for causing Emma any pain, ever.
"I'm sorry Emma."
"Don't ever say that. They are the ones who should be sorry."
Emma shot up as she heard a loud creak interrupt the even louder silence. Emma's body went numb and all she could think about was Regina. Emma quickly took off up the stairs. Once Emma reached the top she saw a figure outside of Regina's room.
"Step back now," Emma harshly commanded.
"It's just me mom! I needed to know if she was alright!" the small child fearfully shouted back.
"I'm sorry Henry. You scared me!" Emma suddenly felt very guilty. She should have known her son would want to see his mother. He was terrified of losing her.
"I'm sorry mom. I shouldn't have," Henry spoke with disappointment in his eyes.
Henry started to walk away, looking more disappointed than ever.
"Wait Henry, you can see her. She would like that. Don't be loud though she is sleeping," Emma warned.
Henry turned around and walked up to his sleeping mother's door. He very carefully opened it. Henry was so nervous he was shaking. He told one small step into Regina's room. It was dark and he did not see her face but he knew it was covered in bruises.
"Mom, I am so sorry. I didn't mean anything I said to you earlier." One tear fell down Henry's small check; it was soon followed by another and another. "I love you so much, and that can never change. I am so sorry for being such a jerk. I don't know why I do it but I promise you it will not happen again. I will not let it happen again. I will always be on your side. Even when I act stupid or we get into a fight it will never change the fact that I love you. I wish I could take back all of the horrible things that I said to you. I will stand by you for all of this. I will make sure the monsters that hurt you will pay. It's not right that they get it live without punishment when you are like this. I wouldn't let them hurt you again." Henry looked at his mother for a moment. "I shouldn't have let them hurt you."
Henry watched his mothers' chest rise and fall. He was so grateful that she was alive. Henry, now satisfied walked out of the room. He thought that his mother was angry with him for his nasty words. He didn't know how wrong he was. He didn't understand that she forgave him the second they left his mouth. He didn't understand she loved him unconditionally, and that fact broke her heart.
