This chapter talks about some of the trauma from previous events. It is a bit longer than normal.

-CL


"It seems like Bella's kidnappers didn't let her eat or sleep, so her body is exhausted. She'll wake up when she's ready," Dr. Corden reports, making notes on his clipboard.

Ames rubs my back, comforting me. "Did they rape her?"

Dr. Corden shakes his head. "I presume the only time they tried was when they caught them. From what I can tell, it seems like they were trying to force labor."

"Oh fuck," I say, glancing at Bella's sleeping form. "Is-is the baby ok?"

Dr. Corden nods. "Bella and the baby seem to be healthy besides being exhausted and hungry. I'm going to give her an IV to sustain her until she wakes up and can eat solid food."

I nod. "Do you know how long it will take until she wakes up?"

He shakes his head. "I would hope no more than three days, but her brain is trying to shield her from the trauma of the abuse. I'm sorry, Maxon."

"It's ok, Doctor. Thank you for all you have done."

"Do you need anything before I leave, Maxon?"

I shake my head. "No, but thank you, Doctor."

"America, can you-can you come with me?" Dr. Corden says, gesturing for her to come with him. I glance over at Ames, who's blushing. She nods and stands up, trailing Dr. Corden out of the room.

I stand up and walk over to Bella. "Fuck, Bella. Here we are again," I say with a humorless laugh. "I wish you would stop getting hurt so we don't always have to be in the hospital. I wish-" I choke out, grabbing her hand, "-I wish that I could keep you safe. I feel like it's my fault that you keep on getting hurt. You-you didn't get hurt like this when you weren't at the palace. I've-I've put your life in danger as soon as you entered the palace, as soon as you became the Queen. I'm so sorry, my dear," I say, breaking. My legs give out and I start sobbing, placing my head on Bella's chest and gripping her tight. "I'm so s-sorry, Bella. It's all m-my fault," I choke out. I bury my head in her shirt, wishing that she was awake. I-

Suddenly, I feel a hand on my head. "Ames?" I whimper, wiping the tears from my eyes. I look up and see Bella comforting me. "Bella?"

"It's ok," she croaks, "it's not your fault, Maxon." She smiles a small, sad smile.

"My dear?" I ask, reaching out to reach the tears streaming down her cheeks. She nods and places her hands on my cheeks. I gently kiss her on the lips and she sighs. I pull away and inspect Bella. The bags under her eyes are the darkest I've ever seen them, and her hair is messy and tangled. Her makeup is dried on her face, the trails of mascara lingering. "How are you doing?"

"I'm very tired. Exhausted," she emphasizes, yawning. She grabs my hand, squeezing it gently. "Otherwise, I'm fine for now, so don't worry about me."

"And the baby?" I ask, glancing at her swollen bump.

Bella puts her hands on her stomach lovingly. "I think the baby is fine. Has Dr. Corden or Dr. Ashlar told you anything else other than that? I protected our baby-I allowed them to do those things in exchange for the baby's life." She starts sobbing, trembling. "They-they-oh, Maxon," she cries, reaching for me. I comply and climb into the hospital bed with her, careful of the IV.

I hold Bella, comforting her. "Shh…it's ok, Bella. I've got you now. Shh." I rub circles on her back, and she buries her head in my neck.

"They-they did horrible things, Maxon. They-hurt-me so-much," she chokes out through her tears.

"Shh, Bella. Just breathe. I'm here," I whisper, trying to comfort her. "The baby is ok and you're back in my arms. Just relax. We'll have Dr. Corden come talk to you," I say, kissing her on the forehead.

Bella sniffles, trying to calm herself. "Alright," she whispers. "I love you, Maxon," she whispers faintly. And then her eyes roll back and she faints again.

"Bella? Bella!" I gently slap her cheeks, hoping she wakes up again. "C'mon, Bella. Wake up!"

The door bursts open, Dr. Corden rushing in. "Maxon? Maxon, what are you doing?" He grabs my arms and pulls me away from Bella.

Ames trails in, a pink hue to her cheeks. She sees me and runs over to me, grabbing my hands. "Maxon, what happened?"

"Bella…she woke up! She was talking to me and then she fainted again," I say, gesturing to Bella in her hospital bed. "See, she's in a different position! She was-she was telling me about what the rebels did."

"Calm down, Maxon. We believe you. Bella's exhausted and her brain is trying to shield her. Her vitals are fine. It looks like she just slipped into unconsciousness again. Hopefully, she'll come to again soon. For now, let's let her rest," he says, addressing both America and me. We both nod and walk out of the room.


"It's been three days, Michael!" I hear Ames say through the door. "Can you wake her up at all? Maxon is worried sick. He hasn't left her side. The country needs him."

I glance at Bella and grab her hand. "Please, my dear. Come back to me." I squeeze it and walk to the door, opening it. I clear my throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I can hear you through the closed door, so why don't you just come in here and continue your conversation?"

America flushes. "Maxon, I didn't mean anything bad."

"I know, Ames. It's true. If she doesn't wake up soon, I don't know what I'm going to do." I shake my head and sigh. "How do we always end up in this position?"

"Oh, Maxon," Ames whispers. She hugs me and I do everything I can to not cry.

"Thanks, Ames," I say, gently leaving her grasp. It's then that I notice the stroller near Dr. Corden. "Annabella's here?"

Ames nods. "I figured you could see your niece."

"Thanks, Ames," I say, walking over to the stroller. I look down and see little Annabella awake. "Hey, there Anna."

"Her name is Annabella, Maxon," America huffs. "I want her to learn her full name first."

I chuckle under my breath and give Annabella my finger to grab onto. She does and laughs. "Looks like she's enjoying her uncle's company," I say smugly.

"Why don't we go in the room? You can hold her," Ames says, gesturing for me to push the stroller inside. I nod and glance at Dr. Corden. "You can come, too, Michael," Ames says, blushing. He nods and reaches for her hand.

"Is there anything you two want to tell me?" I tease.

"Well, uh…" Ames says, turning an even deeper shade of red, almost matching her hair.

"America and I are romantically interested in each other," Dr. Corden replies quickly.

"So, you're…dating?" I ask.

"Yes," Ames replies this time. "I'll tell you more when Bella wakes up."

I nod and turn my attention back to Annabella. I lift her out of her stroller and start to play with her, finally taking my mind off of Bella for a little while.