All Chapters of The Blooming Desert Rose: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

When Beatrice left the police station, her phone suddenly rang.She was startled. She hadn't touched a phone in five years, and she had almost forgotten that Alba had bought one for her.Staring at the phone in her hand, Beatrice felt lost for a moment.If Alba really was a cop… Then when she had chosen to leave him bleeding out and run for her life, he would resent her for it, wouldn't he?Alba's voice came from the other end. "Why did you take so long to answer?""Did I scare you?" he added quietly. "I'll come find you once I've fully recovered. I used your number to set up a Facebook account for you. Try logging in. The password's your birthday."Beatrice stood there, her hands clenched tight.Alba knew she couldn't say anything, so he just kept talking. "I put five thousand into your Facebook Pay account."Maybe he heard her breathing get heavier, because he went on, "That's all my savings. Just borrow it for now. Pay me back when you have money…"Beatrice gripped her phon

"Beatrice, I know you don't feel like you've been treated right in all of this, but there are some things that just can't be changed." Krauss walked over and patted Beatrice on the shoulder. Then, he turned to Nelson. "You need to make a decision right here in front of everyone. Don't put my daughter in a tough spot." Carla's hands were clenched in anger. "Nelson, you'd better choose wisely." Beatrice looked at Nelson, too. Everyone was waiting for his answer. "Raine, you only harass Beatrice because she has no one left behind her! If her parents were still here…" Carla choked up and couldn't finish, breaking down in tears. Beatrice gripped her pen so tightly the tip pierced her palm, blood seeping through her fingers. Carla was right. They all trampled on her because she had no one left. "Beatrice… I'm sorry." In the end, Nelson said the words in front of everyone. Beatrice, I'm sorry. "Nelson! You're unbelievable!" Carla shouted, unable to hold back. "Nels

Beatrice gave Nelson no responses, her expression numb and cold."I'm staying at the hospital," she wrote in her notebook.Raine would never let her stay. Now that she couldn't speak, it was the perfect excuse to kick her out. But Beatrice was determined. She had to stay. She needed to find the traitor who betrayed them, give Alex justice, and get answers for everyone including herself."I spoke up for you in the meeting. Your case is special, so I fought for you to have more time for treatment. As long as you cooperate and recover your voice, you'll be allowed to stay." Nelson tried to comfort her, gently holding her hand. "I've set up an appointment with Dr. Hale from psychiatry. Let's go together, okay?"Beatrice nodded.Nelson finally relaxed, satisfied with her compliance. "Beatrice, last night was special. Fia was sick. I promise I'll spend time with you tonight, okay?"To Beatrice, Nelson was being completely laughable. He acted like he was some king, as if staying with

Beatrice clung tightly to Alba's shirt, her whole body tense. She didn't want to see Nelson, not even for a second.Noticing that she was shaking, Alba shot Nelson a cold glare and draped his jacket over her shoulders. "Let's go.""Beatrice! Who is he?" Nelson stepped forward, eyes locked on Alba with suspicion. He didn't care about Beatrice's limp or her injured ankle. His first reaction was to question the man who made him feel threatened."And you are?" Alba's tone was cool and flat.He was so tall he seemed to completely shield Beatrice in his arms, giving off a kind of…safety that was hard to describe.Alba stood six-foot-three, while Beatrice was just over five-foot-three. She was so small and delicate by comparison. She would always feel intimidated by men that size.Nelson wasn't short himself as he stood at six feet, but his presence was much weaker when he stood next to Alba."I'm her husband," Nelson said with a frown, reaching out for Beatrice's hand. But Beatric

"Get away from me." Beatrice signed as she pushed Alba off her, limping as she found her apartment number.She retrieved the key from under the flowerpot. Carla had left it there for her."No more hiding keys under the flowerpot, shoes, or doormat. That's just asking to get robbed," Alba muttered, falling back into his usual nonstop commentary.Beatrice ignored him, opened the door, and went inside.The apartment was old and cramped, but because it was in a good part of Blueport City, the rent wasn't cheap. At least it was clean and had everything she needed.Carla's husband had helped find the place. It belonged to his stepfather's family, and since they didn't trust renting to strangers, they let Beatrice have it at a lower price. Beatrice was grateful."Sit still." Alba picked her up and set her on the couch, then knelt down to look at her swollen ankle. It was dislocated without a doubt.Beatrice glared at him. He really didn't know what personal space was."Hold still."