I can never thank you enough for all your reviews! Making this chapter was a real struggle for me, and finishing it on time was even harder. I hope you guys like this! *fingers crossed*

P.S. Out of all the speculation you've had about America's condition, what stood out for me the most was the recurring one, wherein you guys thought that America was pregnant. Though I would have loved that she was, they haven't even done it yet! Even in the books, right? So I was just kind of boggled that you thought about it.

btw, am I being too explicit with the romance scenes? Should I mellow it down? Hahah my friends told me that the ones I've made were already for rated M? :))

EileenAbbey- Thanks for the info! Will try to fix it! I'm quite oblivious when it comes to those things (medical/health matters) so I'm really thankful for telling me.

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I was sleeping lightly when I felt someone's hand tracing my face, as if trying to memorize it. I caught the intruder's hand and opened my eyes. It was America. I quickly stood up and pulled her towards me. "I thought I was going to lose you."

She hugged me back, placing her forehead against my chest and shook. "I—uhm. Of course not." She looked at me and smiled weakly. I couldn't help but kiss her. Cupping her face, I molded our lips together. It felt amazing how our lips fit so perfectly, like we were made for each other. She kissed me more deeply—more hungrily, which had surprised me a little bit. It was usually me who took the initiative. I moaned against hers lips and kissed her back. I pulled away so that we could catch on with our breath.

I looked at her dazed eyes. She was so beautiful. How can someone be born into perfection? I knew the day that I first met her, that she will be the one who would steal my heart. When she offered her companionship to me that faithful night in the garden, I accepted it, thinking I'd be able to win her. Even though she said she only wanted me as a friend, I've always longed—wanted for more. When I've learned about her and Officer Ledger's relationship, it made me realize how deep my feelings ran and I got scared. No matter how many times she broke my heart, my trust and my whole being, I was still madly in love with her; I could never truly hate her, which is why I tried running away. I thought that if I chose Kriss, these feelings would go away but it didn't.

I love her. I love her so much. I just can't help but love everything about her, even her flaws and imperfections. I moved closer again so that we were only breaths apart. "Marry me." I whispered against her lips and kissed her once again. I suddenly felt her trembling. I broke the kiss and moved a little bit backwards so that I could look at her face. She bit her lower lips while tears streamed down her face, and then looked away from me.

"What's the matter, my love?" I asked, my voice filled with worry as I started panicking inside my head.

"W—We need to stop this." She said, her voice shaky. I didn't understand what she meant. Stop what? Did I kiss her too hard? Did the doctor say that was part of the 'strenuous' things she couldn't do?

"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.

She wiped her tears away, sniffed, and looked at me, straight in the eyes. Somehow, her eyes looked distant "I can't marry you."

"Wa- WHY?" my voice cracked. My stomach felt like there were rocks in it. I think I'm going to get sick.

"I just can't, Maxon." She said sadly, her eyes looking helpless. "I don't think I love you enough to marry you."

My eyes widened in shock. Anger and dejection started to build up in me. I couldn't stop myself from shaking. "HOW COULD YOU?" I said, closing my eyes; trying to calm myself down.

"How could you play with me like this?" I cried out, looking at her while trying to push back the tears that have formed in my eyes. "You said you LOVED me! SO—so, so MANY times." Recalling all the times she kissed me, embraced me, touched me and said she loved me.

She just kept quiet which made me even angrier. How can she be like this, when I feel like I am DYING inside right now?!

"So you were lying all this time? All those times that you said you loved me and would fight for me, were lies? You really had me fooled, America." I laughed cynically. "You're WORSE than my father."

She froze. She was about to say something but held it in. "I'm so sorry, Maxon." She said, turning away from me.

"You're not." I said darkly, watching her walk farther and farther away from me.

When she finally was out of my sight, I slumped on one of the hallway chairs. I placed my elbows on my knees, letting my head be supported by my hands as I stared down the floor. I tried to process everything that had happened.

'Where did I go wrong?' I thought angrily. I thought I knew HER but obviously I didn't. She appeared to me like an angel, when in reality she was the antithesis.

I changed my sitting position and leaned against the backrest of the chair. I curled my hands into tight fists and let go. I closed my eyes and recalled those happy memories I've had with her. Those times we tugged our ears. Those times that we kissed. Those times that we just stared into each other. Those times we shared about our fears, dreams and aspirations.

'When did the lie start?' I thought.

I stood up and started walking when I bumped into Doctor Matthew.

"Prince Maxon, good evening." He smiled. I couldn't bring myself to talk, so I just nodded and continued on walking.

"Oh wait, Prince Maxon!" He ran towards me and handed me a small brown envelope. "Here. I thought you'd want to keep this as a memento when Lady America saved your life. I got a hold of it only now, because the security had to inspect them."

"Uh… Thanks." I said, not really listening to what he said. I took the envelope, bid my goodbye and continued on walking.

As I was about to open the door that led to the lobby of the hospital, I accidentally dropped the brown envelope. I sighed and picked it up, top down, making the contents of it fall to the ground.

'What the hell are these?' I thought. Picking up small pieces of metal. I studied it and came to realize they were bullet remains. 'Why would Doctor Matthew give me bullets?' I thought. My eyes widened to further realization. 'These were the bullets that hit America.'

And suddenly, I recalled that day when she used herself to shield me from the bullets of a rebel that tried to kill me. 'This doesn't make any sense at all!' I thought. Why would she risk her life for me if she didn't love me?

It all suddenly clicked. 'MAXON, you truly are stupid. The LYING started when she said that she didn't love you enough to marry you.'

But why would she lie to me?

What benefit will she get from this?

"There must be a reason." I said to myself. I took one last look at the envelope and slid it in my pocket. I turned around and started running.

-America's POV-

When I was sure that I was already out of Maxon's sight, I started running to my room. When I got there I immediately shut the door, crawled my way into the bed and started crying.

"I couldn't... I couldn't tell him." I cried out.

"How can I tell him if, I, myself couldn't accept this condition of mine." I said, laughing cynically.

I didn't know how long I cried, but I just did. When my eyes were all out of tears, I stared into the ceiling fan.

"I love you, Maxon." I whispered. "Yes, I've always wanted to marry you."

The door suddenly opened and I saw Maxon standing in front of me.

"Then what's holding you back?" He asked.