_ROSE’S POV___
I didn’t expect the punch from her. I knew she was going to do something and I was thinking it was going to be another slap, but a punch to the belly? That’s low, even for her. It hurts so much that if I wasn’t tied to a pillar, I’d be on my knees, doubled over.
The fact that I can’t do anything about it makes it hurt even more. I can only cry out in pain and wince as I cry because every tiny movement I make makes it hurt more.
I had barely gotten through the first punch when another landed. And another. And another. The punches kept coming and I couldn’t do anything but take it. She seemed to have channeled all her inner rage into the punches. It felt like years and years of pent up energy being used against me. I cried t
_NATE’S POV___After driving around for a long time without any futile information, we decided to go back home and see if the ones at home have any information that could be helpful. We couldn’t trace anywhere that Jessica was and her house didn’t give us any clues as to where she might be even though we searched everywhere. It’s almost like she knew we were coming and cleared everything that might point at her and her location.During the drive back to Rose’s uncle and aunt’s home, I kept having this very bad feeling. The same one I had that helped me know that she was in danger. This time it’s different and it feels like I can feel her pain. It’s sharp and continuous and I can only imagine what she herself must be going through if I’m feeling like this. It’s however very faint which shows
__ROSE’S POV___When I woke up, it felt like pain all over again. I didn’t gain consciousness all on my own. I was forcefully woken up with pain. A glance at my body tells me that I’ve been pierced in several places with the knife. I can see slashed from where I’ve been cut. My entire body looks gory and I don’t know where the skin ends and where the blood starts.Drake looks extremely happy with his artwork as he kept looking at me over and over again. When he saw that I was already awake, he laughed at me and brought out something else. A butcher’s knife. Knives seem to be his speciality and he wasn't hesitating to use it. What does he plan to do with the butcher’s knife? Does he want to cut me up into pieces like they did to him?Even Helena must have
__ROSE’S POV___I didn’t realize how much light can come in through the doors and windows of the warehouse until I was woken up by it. I must have slept through the entire night for the rays of the sun to get to me and wake me up. I looked around and saw that the guards that were told to guard me were still fast asleep. If I had not been tied down to the chair, this would have been my chance to escape without anybody knowing about it. They’d have just woken up to see that I was gone and Helena would have taken out her anger on them.I coughed once and saw that my mouth was still filled with blood from yesterday and it seemed like I was getting weak instead of rejuvenated from the sleep I had over the night. Not that could be classified as an actual sleep but it’s something and I should have a little bit of strength instead of
_NATE’S POV___I couldn’t sleep a wink all night. Since it would be too much hassle for me to go home and then come back here, I had to sleep over at Rose’s aunt’s house. I was given Rose’s room to stay in and it just kept reminding me of her and it makes me so sad that she isn’t here. No matter how much I try to, I just couldn’t sleep and as soon as the early rays of the sun came in through the window, I stood up and headed to the living room. I didn’t bother to take my bath, there were more important things to do and I’m certain I wouldn’t have body odor from not bathing for what I hope wouldn’t surpass a day.It looked to me that Rose's siblings didn’t get much sleep too because they were all out as soon as I got out. It is the second day since Rose had been kidnapped and the
_NATE’S POV__Drake. Of course, he was one of the people I didn’t think about and he had to be the one behind it all. I looked back and saw him seated on a chair at the entrance. I was so fixated on Rose, and that’s what made me miss seeing him.“You’re the one behind all of these, aren’t you?” I said, moving towards him in a menacing manner but he doesn’t seem bothered.“I can’t take all the credit for this. I have Helena here to thank for the wonderful idea of kidnapping your wife. I didn’t even think about that before and I must say that I’m really enjoying it. I’m glad you’re here though because this won’t be complete if I don’t do what I want to do to you exactly. Your wife here alread
_ROSE'S POV___"Mother?" It looks like I finally died because the person I'm seeing currently looks like my mother which tells me that I might probably be dead or in a coma.I looked again and the person had disappeared from my view. I looked around and it feels like I'm in a big empty room. It was eerily silent and I can feel myself getting anxious from being here. If there was something I hate most, it's being in a place that's completely silent and I can't do anything about it.I can hear faint talks but I was fading in and out like I was under water. I sat down waiting for all these to be over. I put my hands over my knees and rocked myself. I don't know what happened next but I knew it felt like I was transported back into my body after being a spectator.&nbs
__ROSE'S POV___Despite the fact that it is something I knew is a possibility, it still came as a shock to me to hear that from the doctor. I don't think I'm as shocked as my family though. Each of the faces of my family members were in several stages of surprise, although my Aunt's doesn't look as surprised as the rest of them. It was as if she knew something like this will happen.I couldn't believe my ears though. It was what I was thinking about the last time I visited the doctor. I know it's been a while since we had sex but it's also around the same time I should have collected the long term contraceptives. I was told to come back for it but everything became confusing and distracting and I completely forgot about it.The surprise on the face of my family turned into joy and they star
__NATE'S POV___As soon as I saw to it that Rose is in the hospital and is receiving treatment already, I hopped back into my car and headed to the police station. I still have some scores to settle before I'm fully satisfied that the bastards who did this to Rose have gotten the kind of justice that they deserve.During the drive down there, I pondered over all what had happened and could have happened. I just don't want to think of the fact that she could be dead right now rather than hospitalized and it's because of who she says is her best friend and someone who hates me and decided to take it out on her. It's unfortunate that she is the one who took the brunt of it when they could have just come for me and my family instead.I'm currently very angry and if I'm being very honest,
ROSE'S POV__SIX YEARS LATER"Mommyyyy". I heard my youngest scream. I sighed and walked into the room they were in. Ever since he was old enough to talk, Alexander has always looked for an opportunity to scream mommy around the house, even when there was no need for it. I've been trying to get him out of the habit but nothing seems to work even when his older sister caution him against it."You didn't have to shout that loud, Xander. Mommy would have heard you regardless." I said as I picked him up and placed him on my lap. It didn't seem like he has any injuries but the need for him to shout to get my attention was just there. It's not like I've been gone for that long. It's been barely twenty minutes since I left but that seemed like an hour or two in his eyes.
_ROSE'S POV__With tears in my eyes, I stretched my hand forward and muttered yes over and over again. I can't believe that he's officially asking me to be married to him and for real this time. I know it's going to be a shock to the public when they find out that the first wedding was a faux one. Even though we didn't leak pictures or post anything about it online, hundreds of thousands of people on the internet knows I'm married to Nate which means we have to release a statement that explains everything to them.A lot of people will be confused, naturally, but we'll have to clear up the air if we want everything to go smoothly. I don't want to have to fight the online in-laws who will tell me I've been living a lie and isn't truly married to Nate.When we got home, it was too late a
_ROSE'S POV__Today seemed to be one of the best ones I've had so far. Nate seemed intent on making me know that he loves me regardless of whatever might have happened between us and whatever it is I've told him. I couldn't believe he reacted to what I told him the way he did without getting mad about it. That's when I knew I had lucked out when it comes to finding a partner. Ever since I told him I loved him too, he had been doing everything in his powers to make sure I'm very comfortable and for me to know that I'm very loved.It's been a week already and it's the best week I've had in a very long time. He said I should dress pretty today because he was taking me to a place where I would really like and I'm very excited for it.For the first time in weeks, I felt completely comforta
_ROSE'S POV___I know the therapist is right and I have to tell Nate the actual truth about how I felt about him and his family and how I currently feel. I know it's long due that I tell him about it and I can't blame myself though. With everything that has happened, there's no way I would want to be involved with someone like me if I was him. But, I actually love him and I don't want to lose him. The therapist tells me that if I don't tell him early enough, he's going to get frustrated and decide to leave me alone. Although, I know he can't do that when he already has me pregnant, but there's a chance that the love he feels for me now will start to dwindle. I don't want to be in a loveless marriage.I also need to tell him what I actually had planned for him and his family. I know it'd come as a shock to him to hear that my initial plan when I agre
_ROSE'S POV___Even before it was mentioned, I know I'll be needing therapy and I didn't bother to hide that fact. I'm tired of pretending like I was fine and since I couldn't start therapy yet because the doctor asked that I rest at home for a while before they'll give me the go ahead to go and start the therapy sessions."I'm aware of that your honor, and I'm working towards it". I said just before I was lead off the witness stand. It's sheer strong will that is holding me from crying. Since I was now done, I didn't ask before I left the courtroom, Nate behind me. Since I didn't allow any of my family members to come with me, it was easier for me to just leave with him than to start rounding them all up.I wasn't called back which means I have been excused and I went into the car. A
__ROSE'S POV____"The court has asked that we must be present at the trial which means whether we like it or not, we have to be there and I know you wouldn't want to relieve any of what happened but it will go a long way in making sure these bastards are put behind bars". Nate said.As soon as we got news of the trial, I had been hoping that I won't have to be called to go there but it looks like that's just wishful thinking.It's been over a month now since the incident happened and I just got discharged last week. It was a very slow process towards healing and while I might not be totally myself yet, it's better than who I was before. The wounds healed nicely and most of them didn't leave permanent damages on my body. The ones that did are in places that can be covered up easi
_ROSE'S POV___It feels like this is just a movie because I don't want to believe that what he's saying is actually true. I had thought that what he said the day he rescued me was just hallucination and I didn't want to think of it as something other than thatHearing him say it again that he loves me makes it feel like a dream. Yeah, I know we've gotten close and we are no longer sworn enemies but him actually falling in love with me seems so far fetched. It feels like a prank and although I doubt it, I don't want it to end because if it does, it means he doesn't really love me like he said and all this hope was for nothing."Don't say things you don't mean just because you want me to do something for you, Nate". I chided him. I don't want him to tell me things he thinks I want to hear just so I
__NATE'S POV____There's a lot to unpack from everything Rose had told me today. I don't even know where to start from or what to do and how to go about it. She can't just drop the news that she's pregnant and then immediately tell me that she'd be terminating our child and expect me to be fine with it. There's no way I can be fine with that sort of thing.I tried as hard as possible to make sure she won't do it. I even told her I love her. I didn't want to tell her that way before because I don't want it to seem like I'm pushing it to her because I want her to do something for me and that is not aborting the child, but it's almost like a last resort for me. For her to not do what she wants to do.I know Rose is very stubborn and once she sets her mind against something, there's nothing you
__ROSE'S POV___I opened my eyes to see him staring down at me. It looked like he was searching my face for something I don't know about. He moved back when he saw that my eyes were open though and he smiled at me, one I didn't return."Hey. I didn't know you're awake. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you when you woke up. I had to do some things". I have an idea of what that could have been. I can see blood splatters on his shirt and although he tried to hide it, I can see the ones on his knuckles too. Since it was mentioned earlier that he was going to the police station, I'm going to assume that means that whomever it is he fought with is Drake or Helena. I know he doesn't hit women though, which means it had to be Drake.I'm not against the fact that he did that, I just don't like the