Depression/FI warning. I will be able to post for the next two months weekly. I hope I remember to post. Look for a chapter mostly on Fridays, but it may be Saturdays or even Sundays if I forget.

Thanks for reading!

-CL

I wake up the next morning with the sun shining through the curtains. I moan and smash my head into the pillow. I reach out to touch Maxon, but I only feel the bedsheets underneath me. I open my groggy eyes and see nothing next to me. I look around the room and realize I'm in the Queen Suite. "What-?" I start, but remember the past days' events. I tear up and start crying into my pillow. I drift back to sleep, hoping the numbness will overpower the pain.

I wake up and rush to the bathroom, my bladder full. After I relieve myself, I walk back to my bed, ready to go back to sleep. Officer Grabs comes into the room. "Bella, His Majesty is requesting to see you."
"Please tell him to go away," I say. "What time is it anyway?" I ask, noticing there is no clock in the room.

"It's three in the morning," he answers.

"As in-so I slept through yesterday?"

"I presume so. You never came out of your room," he says. He salutes and walks out of the room.

I sigh. I wish I would become numb. The pain is still there-I didn't even have the relief after I just woke up.

Officer Grabs comes back into the room. "Bella, His Majesty is requesting that you at least talk to him through the door."

I sigh. "Fine. He won't make our lives easy until I do. For all I know, he'll stake out the door, waiting for me to come out."

Officer Grabs nods and leads me to the door. He clears his throat. "Your Majesty, Her Majesty is here to talk."

"Only through the door," I add, cringing at the sound of my voice. I sound absolutely exhausted, even though I just woke up.

"Bella, my dear, can you please talk to me face-to-face?" Maxon begs.

I sigh. "No-Maxon, I can't."

"Please?"

I groan. "No, Maxon. Now what do you want? I would like to go back to my bed," I whine.

"My dear, you need human support. Can you not at least look at me for a minute?"

"No. I'm going to leave if you don't say what you want to say. You made me get out of bed."

I hear Maxon sigh through the door. "My dear, I'm worried about you. I've told America what happened, and I'm planning on telling Aspen, Carter, and Marlee today. Can you tell them with me?" He chokes back a sob. "Please?"

"No, I can't. I need to sleep," I answer.

"Bella, Ames and I are worried about you. You've been holed up in there for days. We're here for you."

"Thanks," I say, yawning, "but please don't bother me anymore."

"Have you at least eaten anything?"

"No. I've been sleeping," I snap back. "And anyways, I'm not hungry."

"Bella, you're going to starve yourself to death."

"I can take care of myself," I say through gritted teeth. "Goodbye." I walk away from the door. I hear Maxon calling my name through the door, but I ignore him and throw myself on my bed.

I hear Officer Grabs follow behind me. "Bella?" The question is left unasked.

I sigh. "Just get him away. Be nice though. Thank you."

"Of course, Bella." I hear him shut the door behind him. I scream and cry into my pillow until I exhaust myself, falling into a fitful sleep.

"Bella? I'm sorry to disturb you, but Maxon has come with reinforcements." Officer Grabs says through the door. I drag myself out of bed. It's been two weeks since my miscarriage, and I haven't left this room since. Maxon bothers me three times a day, sometimes with America, other times with Marlee.

"Let me get dressed," I say, yawning. I've mostly spent my time in bed either reading or scrolling on my phone. Anything to keep me from thinking. I just finished my novel, so at least they didn't bother me earlier. The novel was quite good. "How many people this time?"

"Well…umm…all of them," he confesses.

My jaw drops. "Shit, shit, shit. Yeah, tell them to give me an hour."

"Are you-are you considering opening the door?" Officer Grabs asks, surprised.

Officer Turner and Xavier enter the room. "Bella, there are three people…Marlee, Carter, and Aspen at the main doors."

I hold back a groan. "Yes, I know, thank you, Officers. Do not let them in, even if they persist. Ignore them for a moment. If anything, tell them to go find America and Maxon."

They both nod. "On it, Bella." They both salute and walk out of my bedroom.

"You're opening the door?" Officer Grabs repeats.

I sigh. "I guess I better. It's been about two weeks since I shut myself in here. I need to work and now Maxon brought everybody to convince me to come out. I'm going to come out with a bang, though" I say, winking.

He smiles. "It's good to see you back to normal. And I know you will."

I grin and usher him out of the room. "I'll finally look human," I joke.

Officer Grabs laughs and walks away. I slam the door and start getting ready.

I'm looking at myself in the mirror, taking deep breaths. Even considering seeing Maxon again is making my anxiety flare up. I'm in a mermaid-style black beaded dress. The top is pure black with a plunging neckline. The skirt is nude, but with enough black beads and tulle that it looks black. My black stilettos are hidden underneath the dress. I have elbow-length gloves on and my hair is in a chignon. I'm wearing diamond teardrop earrings and the choker that Maxon gave me. I did smokey eyes with a bright red lip. Sure, I'm going overboard, but I don't give a fuck. I'm the Queen; I can do whatever the fuck I want. My wedding ring is on my finger and I twist it nervously. So much for confidence, I think.

I hear a knock on the door. "Bella, are you ready? They are getting impatient."

I take a deep breath and walk to the door. I open it and Officer Grabs gasps. "B-Bella, follow me." I trail behind him, my heels clicking as we go. Too soon, we reach the door. I hear voices on the other side. I'm shaking with nerves.

"You look great, Bella. You've got this," Officer Grabs reassures me. I give him a small smile and turn to the door. "Are you ready?"

I nod and grab the handle.