Marietta’s POV“I’m ready for this,” I said, my voice steady.“That’s the spirit!” Bella shouted, throwing a few playful punches in the air and kicking one leg up in excitement.I turned and pulled Clara into a tight hug, tears spilling again as I rested my head on her shoulder.For a long time, I really thought it was over for me. When everyone backed out, canceled deals, turned their backs… all because of Michael.That man—he hurt me in ways I still can’t bring myself to explain.And now, he’s suddenly back, asking for another chance. Like, I’m just supposed to forget everything. Like, I’m still that girl who waited around for him.Clara gently pulled away from the hug and looked me in the eye.“And one more thing,” she said. “I’m going to find out who did this to you.”I blinked at her, surprised. “You’d really do that for me?” I glanced at Bella, searching both their faces.“Yes,” came a voice from behind. A deeper voice.I turned—and there he was. Lawrence.“Wait… your fiancé?”
Marietta’s POVWhen I opened my eyes, everything looked blurry. For a moment, I saw people like trees—then slowly, things started to clear, and I saw Bella smiling at me.“Hey, babe. You okay?” she asked, watching me closely.I tried to lift my hand, but something tugged at it. That’s when I noticed the IV drip and felt the bandage wrapped around my head.“What happened?” I asked, but then I stopped.The memories hit me all at once—flashes, noise, fear.Aiden, I love you! That was the last thing I remembered shouting before everything went dark.“Where’s Aiden?”“He’s fine,” Bella said quickly.“No! I want to see him,” I said, my voice rising.“Etta, calm down,” she said gently. “Don’t you trust me?”“How long have I been lying here?” I asked, my thoughts spinning.“A few weeks,” Bella said, but her eyes didn’t match her words.“You’re lying,” I whispered. “Don’t do this to me, Bella.”She let out a breath and reached for my hand. “Okay,” she said quietly.Her eyes locked onto mine,
Marietta’s POVEverything in me went still. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe.“What?” I whispered.She didn’t repeat it. She didn’t have to. I’d heard it loud and clear.I’ve just been in the hospital bed for two months, and Aiden has moved on?“How is that ever possible? How could he move on so quickly?” I whispered, crashing to the cold floor. “That’s because he forgot about you after the accident,” Bella whispered.I blinked back the tears in my eyes, letting myself know that I hadn’t seen Aiden.He hasn’t refused me yet. “He said he loved me,”“I know,” Bella answered.I slowly got back to my feet and tried to make my way out when I stumbled on the doctor.“Is everything okay? Miss Etta? Miss Bella?” The doctor questioned, looking confused.“Yes, doctor. Thanks for the help. I’m better now.” I nodded, faking a smile.“Bella, can we leave now?”“Wait. You need to see the pharmacist downstairs and get these medicines. It’s for Miss Etta,” the doctor said, handing over a white pa
Marietta’s POVWhen I finally woke up again, I knew I had to take on the harsh responsibility. There was no more denying it — I had to face whatever this was.“I’m sorry for what happened earlier,” Bella said quietly, wiping her tears. “It was the only way to calm you down.”I didn’t need her to explain. I already knew she was the one who asked the doctor to sedate me.I let out a long sigh and gave her a small nod.“I really am sorry,” she said again, her voice shaky.“It’s okay, Bella. It’s not your fault,” I replied, keeping my voice low.After a pause, I whispered, “I want to go home.”I needed to see Aiden with my own eyes. I had to find out what everyone was hiding from me.“The doctor said you still need rest—”“Bella, please,” I cut her off gently, trying hard not to snap. “I’m fine.”I looked at her, my voice trembling with frustration. “What’s going on? Can someone just stop treating me like I’m fragile? Just tell me the truth. Is he dead?”“No,” Bella said quickly.And jus
Michael’s POVNo sooner had I left the ward than I saw Marietta and Aiden getting out of the car.This guy really looks rich, judging from his looks and everything surrounding him.The cars, the hospital, the bodyguards–everything screams of luxury. I hid myself well so as not to be seen by Aiden. I wish Marietta could be alone so I can talk to her.Right now, I’m not in my right senses. I feel so confused and sad. My heart is unstable. What I feel for Donovan, and Marietta–I don’t know what it is. I feel so confused. I had waited for a few minutes when I saw Marietta dash out of the hospital in tears. I quickly made my way towards her, but she met me with a slap, one that stung my cheeks badly.“Let it out!” I yelled in anger. Grabbing her hands to repeat the same process, she snatched them off me. “What the hell do you think you are doing, Michael? Are you insane?” She screamed.“Yes. I’m insane about you. Don’t you get it?” I answered, trying to grab her by the hand again.Th
Marietta’s POVUpon getting back into the suite where we had lodged last night, I could see some of the staff staring at me awkwardly.Each of them is careful with their choice of words. After all, they’ve been warned. One wrong word from them, and their job is over. I dashed into the room where my belongings were and started to pack them without wasting much time.Just then, the door flung open, revealing Aiden, looking devastated and confused.“What are you doing?” He asked, coming closer, but I refused to bulge.All I did was focus solemnly on the clothes I was arranging into my bags.“This ring belongs to you, Marietta,” he said, his voice low. “I’m not taking it back.”I didn’t say anything. Couldn’t.I was so tired. Tired of being the only one hurting, of loving like it was some kind of punishment.Tired of waking up every day with my heart in knots, wondering what would break next.So no, I didn’t fight. I didn’t cry.I just kept packing.“I’m done, Aiden,” I said quietly, dra
Marietta’s POVUpon getting back into the suite where we had lodged last night, I could see some of the staff staring at me awkwardly.Each of them is careful with their choice of words. After all, they’ve been warned. One wrong word from them, and their job is over. I dashed into the room where my belongings were and started to pack them without wasting much time.Just then, the door flung open, revealing Aiden, looking devastated and confused.“What are you doing?” He asked, coming closer, but I refused to bulge.All I did was focus solemnly on the clothes I was arranging into my bags.“This ring belongs to you, Marietta,” he said, his voice low. “I’m not taking it back.”I didn’t say anything. Couldn’t.I was so tired. Tired of being the only one hurting, of loving like it was some kind of punishment.Tired of waking up every day with my heart in knots, wondering what would break next.So no, I didn’t fight. I didn’t cry.I just kept packing.“I’m done, Aiden,” I said quietly, dra
Michael’s POVNo sooner had I left the ward than I saw Marietta and Aiden getting out of the car.This guy really looks rich, judging from his looks and everything surrounding him.The cars, the hospital, the bodyguards–everything screams of luxury. I hid myself well so as not to be seen by Aiden. I wish Marietta could be alone so I can talk to her.Right now, I’m not in my right senses. I feel so confused and sad. My heart is unstable. What I feel for Donovan, and Marietta–I don’t know what it is. I feel so confused. I had waited for a few minutes when I saw Marietta dash out of the hospital in tears. I quickly made my way towards her, but she met me with a slap, one that stung my cheeks badly.“Let it out!” I yelled in anger. Grabbing her hands to repeat the same process, she snatched them off me. “What the hell do you think you are doing, Michael? Are you insane?” She screamed.“Yes. I’m insane about you. Don’t you get it?” I answered, trying to grab her by the hand again.Th
Marietta’s POVAiden hugged me tightly, thanking the doctor countless times, as we watched his mother being rolled into the ward on a stretcher.“You can check back in the morning. We need to perform some surgery on her,” the doctor continued.I could see the joy radiating on Aiden’s face. It was much greater than before.As it should. I’m sure he’s the happiest man on earth. His mother woke up the same day he proposed to me. I’ve never believed in miracles, but this right here was one.“Thank you so much doctor.” Aiden said with a handshake while we watched the doctor walk away with one of the nurses.Turning to face the bodyguard, Aiden beckoned on their leader. “Keep an eye on my mother. And make sure no harm comes to her,”“Yes, boss.”“Listen,” Aiden’s hand entwined with mine, while pointing his left hand finger to the guard, “If a strand of her hair gets touched, you will not just be fired. You’ll spend the rest of your life in jail.”“We’ll guard her with our lives,” he respon