Chapter 7: Wrong Idea

**Elena**

The air was thick with something unexplainable—like he’d just left. My chest tightened. No, it couldn’t be. Not him… not here.

A dull headache gripped me as I tried to remember what had happened.

I pressed my palms against my face, feeling a sense of relief. The mask was still on, but then something else caught my attention. I traced my fingers to my neck. The hospital gown had tightly covered the mark, just as I wanted.

I could smell his presence all around me. "It couldn't be possible that he had been here." I muttered, rubbing my forehead.

"Why'd you do that?" a voice interrupted my thoughts. I raised my head to see Nick.

Panic surged through me. Did he remove the mask? Has he seen my face? Does he know the truth? Has he told anyone?

"Helena..." he called out, snapping me back to reality.

"What happened?" he continued. "You took an overdose."

"What?" He just called me Helena.

And the overdose... Oh, I remembered that.

"I don't know what happened, Nick. I just wanted to quiet the noise in my head. I didn’t realize that taking more than two would have such a profound effect.”

“Hmmm, well, given your condition, it had to result in something like this.”

My condition? Did he mean my pregnancy?.

“My condition?” I asked, my heart dropped, but I already knew what he meant.

“Yes, Helena, or didn’t you know you’re pregnant?” he asked.

I knew that question didn’t deserve an answer. Why wouldn’t the Pack’s healer know I was pregnant?

He continued, “Your silence tells me no one else knows.”

"Please, Nick. You can’t tell anyone," I pleaded, trying to sit up, but the IV line kept me pinned to the bed.

“I’m not as loudmouthed as you think, Helena,” he shot back.

He was speaking rudely to me because of what happened last time, but I couldn’t blame him for his anger.

“How do you intend to hide it?” he asked. “Or are you trying to keep it a secret because it doesn’t belong to your husband?” He moved closer as he spoke.

I swallowed hard. “It belongs to Xavier, Nick. Do not get the wrong idea,” I insisted.

By “wrong idea,” do you mean that this child might not be his? He shot back.

“Please, I don’t want us arguing. I already said this child belongs to my husband. It isn’t yours, and I want it to stay that way.”

“Fine. Just continue shoving me off,” he said, approaching the door.

“Wait. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry? For what exactly? Is it for choosing him over me, the same man you claim not to love? Or is it the fact that you’re now carrying his child?”

He scoffed. “How can I be so sure you’re not even lying about that, Helena?” He slammed his fist against the wall in frustration.

“Don’t try to create a scene, Nick. I thought you, of all people, would understand me. Don’t let your love for…” The next word felt heavy on my lips.

“Love for what, Helena? Did you ever even love me? For once, did you?” he asked.

I couldn’t answer. The awkward silence spoke volumes.

“I’m sorry, Nick. Please don’t make things difficult. If you ever claimed to love the time we spent together, you’ll let me go,” I said.

After a moment of silent sniffles, he wiped his tears. “Fine, if that’s what you want. I’ll grant that wish of yours, Helena. I’ll leave you alone from now on.”

Although I wasn’t Helena, I felt heartbroken hearing those words come from his mouth.

I didn't realize things would be this difficult. A part of me wished I had disappeared that day instead of Helena. Maybe things would have been better.

"I'll get a nurse to tend to you," he said. "And don't worry, your amazing husband has given instructions that your mask shouldn't be removed."

He continued, "So much for you defending him while he hides your face." He let out a bitter laugh and exited the room."

He was right. I felt anger toward Xavier. I knew that the whole hiding behind a mask started from my end, but at least after that night, I thought things would be different.

Why did he remember everything else except for the fact that the mask was removed? He took the mask off, so why doesn’t he remember that? Why doesn't he remember my face? Does he even recall that he had marked me?

Now, he’s been so insistent that I do not remove it, as if I'm some kind of ugly beauty or a plague he's trying to avoid.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, far across the hospital bed. The brown leather butterfly-shaped mask, adorned with pink stones, staring back at me. The only thing that was visible was my lips.

Maybe I should start feeling comfortable in this, since that's what Xavier wants, I thought to myself.

A few minutes later, the door swung open. I was expecting someone else.

"That look, you were expecting someone else?" she sneered, her voice dripping with a hint of disgust.

"Who let you in?" I shot back.

"You know I'd rather choke on a spoon than be here. The drama queen herself is finally awake. After your last speech, I thought I’d be arrested or something”.

She continued. “But look at you—you know, looking pale in that hospital robe suits you.”

"I don't need your sympathy, Mortina. Just leave," I responded.

“Ooh, I’m shaking,” she said sarcastically, letting out a chuckle. “Anyway, I brought you something. Thought I’d be useful for once.” She waved the bottle in the air, its sharp scent already filling the room.”

“And you know you’ll be needing it...”

She was right. I did need the spray scent.

I stared at Mortina as she waved the spray bottle in front of me.

I wanted to tell her to leave, to disappear from my sight, but the words felt stuck in my throat. I was exhausted, emotionally drained. The last thing I needed was her getting on my nerves.

“What do you want, Mortina?” I finally managed to ask, my voice tight with frustration.

She smirked, “I just wanted to make sure you’re comfortable, sweetheart. After all, your precious husband is so concerned, isn't he? Wondering if you’re doing okay after your little episode."

Her words hit me like a slap, and my heart sank. She knew about the overdose. But of course, she did. Nick probably told her, told everyone. He had to have.

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re just here to rub it in, aren’t you?”

Her lips curled into a mocking smile. “Oh, you wound me, Elena. I’m only here to offer my support... in my own special way.”

She stepped forward, holding the spray bottle high, her gaze fixed on the mask that covered my face. “You know, it must be so exhausting, hiding behind that thing. I bet you feel free every time you get a moment to take it off, don’t you?”

I looked at her, my hands clenched under the blanket. “You’re cruel, Mortina,” I said quietly, trying not to shake.

She laughed. Cold. Mean.

“ Please, Elena. Don't act like you didn't see it coming.. The last time I saw you, you were so confident. So sure that everything would be forgiven. How did that work out for you, hmm?”

I had believed it would. I wanted to believe it.

“You don’t understand anything,” I said.

Mortina smiled in that fake sweet way of hers. “Don’t I? You really think someone like you can get away with this?”

My throat tightened. Everything felt heavy. My heart. My thoughts.

And then, it all burst out of me.

“Why are you doing this, Mortina?” My voice cracked. “Why? Is it even my fault? Why are you hurting me this much? What did I ever do to you?”

She walked closer, her eyes sharp, her perfume choking the air.

“You really want to know?” she said quietly, her smile turning cold.

“Fine.”

She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’ll tell you.”