**Elena**I drop to the floor. The pain in my stomach came again. Maybe it was the way I landed. Or maybe it was everything.Who the hell is doing this? And why?Why now?I grabbed a fistful of my hair, my head bowed over my knees. It felt like I’d lost a battle before even stepping onto the field.“I give up,” I whispered, then screamed it. “I GIVE UP!”My voice bounced off the walls. No one answered back.Xavier. Why was he doing this to me?A few days ago, I thought we were finally… something. A flicker of connection. A spark. Maybe even trust.But now?He didn’t text back. He didn’t call. He didn’t ask for me. He came back and went straight to Trisha.Trisha.How many ways is he planning to break me?Was that his plan all along? Push me until I shatter?Is he even thinking about me right now? Does he care?Or was I just… convenient?And Mortina. Could she be behind this? Did she try to finish what she started—with my father this time?But why?What does she gain?I'm covering for
**Elena**"How long has he been here?" I asked one of the nurses as I stopped by the doorway.“About three days now, Your Highness,” she replied quickly.Three days?"And no one came to see him?" I asked again, needing to hear it one more time, just in case.She shook her head. “No. No one. He was dropped off by a woman. Since then, no visitors.”My stomach turned.Mortina. She left him.Just like that?I bit the inside of my cheek. A bitter memory flashed—Dad standing tall, his voice firm as he told me, "She’s your mother, Elena. Show some respect. She knows what’s best for you."Best for me?She used to glare at me like I was a stain. I still tried to win her over. I still tried to be good.And now... she left you, Dad.The woman you always defended. She walked away when you needed her most.The door opened, and a female doctor walked in briskly.“Doctor,” I said before she could speak, “I want to transfer him. Withdraw him from this hospital.”She blinked, caught off guard. “Your H
**Elena**It ended after one ring.Weird.I tried again. This time, nothing. Not even a single buzz.Did he block me?No... no, that can’t be it. Maybe he’s just busy. Something urgent, maybe?I stared at my phone screen. Still no reply. I hated the silence.I sighed, and typed a quick message."Hey. Just called to know if you're fine."Sent.I didn’t wait for a reply. I turned and headed to my room. My heart was too restless to sit still.I changed out of my gown into something simpler. More... normal.It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Dad. Maybe going back would help me clear my head. Maybe I’d find something... anything... answers about Helena.Something felt off lately.One hour later, I slipped through the entrance gate.Everything was... still. Too still.No guards. No voices. Just the wind. It didn’t feel like home anymore."My Queen," a maid greeted me, bowing lightly.I nodded quickly. “Where’s my father?” I asked. My voice came out too fast.Before she could respond..“W
**Elena**The door opened, and Nick walked in. I felt a wave of nausea, but it faded the moment I saw him. Relief took its place.Still, that message wouldn’t leave my mind. It sat there, heavy.“What’s wrong?” he asked, shutting the door behind him. He had his hospital robe draped over his arm. “Are you not feeling well?” He came to my side quickly, adjusting his glasses.Ivana moved aside for him.“It’s... it’s not that. I’m okay.” I handed him my phone. “It’s a message I got.”He read the screen."How’d you like my little gift?"The words sat there in bold.“Who sent this?” he asked, frowning. He tried to call the number.“I’ve tried. It’s a private number.”Nick exhaled. “This isn’t good.”“I don't know. But I have a feeling it's the same person”. I said.“What the fuck do they want?”He asked, his voice filled with rage.“I have no idea Nick. I really don't. I'm just so exhausted”. I pressed my palm on my forehead, It still had that burning feeling.“Can I be discharged today?” I
**Elena** “The fact that Xavier never even tried to find out why I wore the mask…” My voice was low, but the bitterness slipped through. “He never asked. Not once.” Nick paused beside the hospital bed. “You still think about that?” I looked away. “How can I not? All this time... I thought maybe he saw me. Even a little. But he didn’t. I was standing right in front of him and still... invisible.” “Elena…” Nick’s voice softened. “I don’t know what’s going on with Xavier. I don’t even think he knows. But you—” He hesitated, then sighed. “You’ve been through enough.” I shifted slightly, the pillow pressing against my back. A dull ache bloomed in my stomach. I gritted my teeth, ignoring it. It had been there since I woke up. The emptiness, the throbbing, the silence in my body where there used to be something more. “What about Helena?” I asked, trying to focus. “She didn’t disappear from the wedding. She ran.” Nick blinked. “Yeah... Looks like it.” “We need to find her,” I said, voi
**Elena**"You saw who exactly?" I asked, staring hard at him. My heart pounded in my chest, but my head still felt strangely numb. Was I hearing right? Or was my brain trying to block out what I knew would shatter the little peace I had left?"I saw Helena," he said again, calm.I blinked. "What?"That one word held too many feelings—shock, fear, relief? I couldn't even tell anymore. Everything inside me just froze.She looked thinner. Pale. Like she hadn’t slept in days.” He continued."How long?" I whispered. Then louder, quicker, the questions spilled out. "How long have you known? Why didn’t you tell me? Where is she now? What did she say?""Can you breathe for a second?" Nick sighed, folding his arms. "And for the record, I'm still upset about everything you did."There it was. That classic Nick tone—half serious, half annoyed, full of drama. But behind his frustration, I could still see my best friend. The same one who always stood by me, even when I didn’t deserve it."I’m so