His Betrayal, My Beautiful Rebirth

es. My right leg was elevated, wrapped in an immobilizing cast, a monstrous weight binding me to the bed. My left wrist, still

. "Ah, you're awake, dear! That's wond

ened?" I whispered

ribs, a fractured tibia, and another concussion. But you're a fighter, aren

otector. My tormentor. The words tasted like bile i

nd her deranged jealousy-for what? To end up here, broken and shattered, while he continued his hollow charade? The realization solidif

ult," I rasped, the words

"An assault, dear? Are you sure? The po

cticed concern. He rushed to my side, his hand reaching for min

ured, his voice thick with what sounded l

eady, unwavering. "Your sister, Cherrelle, pushed me

o. It was an accident. She's not well. She wasn't think

it me with a sculpture, and then she pushed me. There were cameras,

he tried so hard to conceal. "Hayden, please. Think a

hest. "There is no 'us,' Kellen. Not anymore. Not after

p! She doesn't know what she's doi

exactly how to manipulate you, how to use your guilt against me. She's been doing it for years. She faked he

nd disbelief. This wasn't the broken, weeping Hayden he

mured, trying to regain control of the na

You let her ruin my music career with your cover-ups! You let her publicly humiliate me! You let her fal

Please, don't do this. Don't ruin her life. Don't ruin mine. I'll make it right. I promise. I'll get her help, real help this ti

e, Kellen. Thirty-eight chances. And you chose her every single time." My vo

he said, his voice barely a whisper. "Alright, Hayden. I'll make the call. You want

thin me. Was this it? Was h

len' s world, wa

ise, detailing Cherrelle' s assault. They assured me th

. "Ms. Black, we've completed our investigation. Unfort

the cameras! I told you, ther

ced a malfunction," the detective replied, his gaze unwavering

wasn't a malfunction. It was

er past. He hadn't just allowed her to physically harm me. He had actively, knowi

symphony of aches and pains, my heart a hollow drum. I

red across the living room. I limped towards the study, my blood ice in my veins. The door was a

ce sickly sweet. "You did such a wonderful

hint of pride. "She almost got the police involved. But I handled it. F

always come through for me. She a

iting that ridiculous 'tell-all.' And that performance outfit... it was ugly anyway

liation, the near-fatal fall-all of it, planned. All of it, orchestrated. Not by a mentally

n any pain. He hadn't just betrayed me. He had conspired against me. He had let her destroy me, physically and e

llen Jefferson died in that moment, falling through the air, hitting the co