CHAPTER 14: HER FAULT

Braelyn’s pov

Raphael stormed in but I could barely spare him a glance. My eyes were already blurry, and the tears completely poured as I gathered the pieces of what was left of my mother.

She was smiling beautifully, her eyes a similar shade of green and her caramel hair cascading down to her waist. Now the smile was almost non-existent.

Why did she have to take this from me?

She already took the man I loved for years now she wanted to take my little precious memories

Raphael ran in, he didn’t even spare me a glance as he ran to Amelia’s side. "How can you be so heartless?" He barked at me. He has never used such a tone on me before.

My body froze, and I managed to glance at him. The moment our eyes met, the same hazel eyes I had fallen in love with in the past my heart was ripped open.

His eyes were bloodshot like he was staring at a heinous criminal. My eyes shifted to Amelia, who had been knocked unconscious by the push. Blood was rushing from her head uncontrollably.

My lips parted to defend myself but the words wouldn’t come out. A cry slipped out. I hugged my stomach crumpling to the ground unable to defend myself

Raphael gave me a good look, I could barely look up, my eyes locked on his clenched jaw but his heated gaze was unmistakable. He laughed at me.

"You go around acting like he is your lover but yet you do this to Amelia." He scoffed, my nails dug into my palms as a bitter taste rose up my throat.

"You can’t even say anything to defend yourself," Raphael added, then walked past me. His words stayed with me. "I never knew you could be this vile Braelyn...I guess I never knew you."

Another whimper escaped, the door was left open, my gaze unfocused and getting dull. It wasn’t that I didn’t have what to say in my defence but I couldn’t speak

I wanted to scream that it wasn’t me, that all I did was try to protect what little I had left but the words died in my throat like everything else he ever promised me

Every slight movement of my muscles made the pain worse. I forced a lump down my throat and grabbed the edge of the bed struggling to stand up.

My medication was in the bathroom, and I just had to get it.

The problem was that my thoughts were hopeful. I couldn’t even squat, I fell back on the floor, on the pieces left of the photograph.

Raphael didn’t even think of me, he didn’t even wonder why the pieces were littered on the floor or why I was crying on the floor.

The sight of Amelia bleeding must have blinded his judgment. She was the only one he saw now. Despite falling on the floor face down, I still struggled to move, trying to crawl towards the bathroom.

My entire body was heavy, my lids struggled to stay open until the pain won and everything went dark.

*******

Mum was smiling at me, she looked exactly like she was in the photograph. Graceful and beautiful laughing at the clear sky while the wind blew through her hair

Beep

Beep

My eyes squinted, and the beeping sounds of the machine stirred me awake. The pain in my stomach was gone, bright lights were pouring from the window, and I just stared blankly at the white ceiling, lost in thoughts, while the strong scent of antiseptic reminded me this was a hospital.

"Who brought me here?" I couldn’t help but wonder. It clearly wasn’t Raphael, with how bad Amelia’s injuries looked he wouldn’t bother about me and the entire family must have left with him

After all, she was the beloved Amelia.

I wasn’t sure whether to feel pity for what happened to her. My heart only ached knowing my mother’s photograph was gone and the man who swore to protect me on the altar was disgusted by me.

The door creaked open drawing my attention. My eyes fell on the tall figure standing by the door holding a get-well basket.

"You are up." Lucien chimed, his gaze softened. My eyes stung for a strange reason.

I gaze away trying to hide them. "What are you doing here?" I foolishly asked, rubbing my eyes. I heard his footsteps stop beside me.

Lucien’s palm grazed my cheeks before he cupped them forcing me to stare at him. "You don’t have to hide your tears, besides, they make your eyes dazzle." He teased, holding a smile.

One so infectious I found myself smiling back. "You shouldn’t say cheesy things like that to me." I sniffed and then forced a smile. Lucien frowned.

"It’s not forbidden for me to compliment someone I find attractive." He said without batting an eye. I clutched my chest feeling my heart skip a beat.

.

"Please stop." I blurted, bowing my head, hiding the faint red glow on my cheek, which shouldn’t be there. One good look at his face, and he looked like a mistake I should avoid.

"Why?" Lucien asked, sitting at the edge of my bed. He knew why

It wasn’t okay for us to be this close especially with his reputation. "Because you are my nephew’s wife." He scoffed.

I still didn’t meet his gaze. "The same wife he left unconscious on the floor while he rushed his lover to the hospital. He didn’t even instruct a single servant to help you."

"That is the same man you let cage you Braelyn." My teeth dug into my cheeks. The metallic taste of blood lingered in my mouth.

"It’s my marriage, it has nothing to do with you." I finally said forcing myself to look at him. "Thank you for helping me, but..."

Lucien’s jaw clenched. "But what?" He cut me off.

"Honestly I still don’t understand why you are still with him besides hurting." He almost raised his voice. His veins throbbed on his forehead from restrained rage

I didn’t answer his question. That was something between Raphael and me. I had to stay in the marriage for now.

"How is Amelia doing?" I asked him to change the topic. He was baffled, and a dry laugh left his lips. "Fine if that’s how you want to be." He said as if he just understood something.

"Amelia is under admission in this same hospital. You can pay her a visit if you want."

Despite Lucien saying those words, I was certain he didn’t want me to visit Amelia. But I had to, after all, I was the one who pushed her, and I wanted to confirm something.

Lucien’s body was tensed the entire walk to Amelia’s room. Sure enough from the door I could already hear chirping voices from her room

I reached for the door to push it open, swallowing my nervousness. The room fell silent the moment I stepped in.