All Chapters of Betrayed, Broken, Back for Revenge: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

(Maya)The sound I’ve been waiting for since the first transfusion from me comes at last.A low sigh, a murmur. Then the softest voice in the world.“Mama.”My head jerks up.Lucy’s eyes are half open, unfocused at first, then steady. Her lips are dry, her skin still too pale, but she’s awake.“I’m here,” I whisper, leaning close. “You’re okay. You’re safe.”She blinks slowly. “Firsty?”The nurse beside me already has a cup ready, straw bent just so. “Small sips, Honey,” she says gently.I hold the straw to Lucy’s lips and watch her suck with great effort. But she does it. Her throat works, slow but sure, each swallow proof that she’s still mine.“That’s enough for now,” I say quietly, brushing her hair from her forehead. “You did so good, sweetheart.”She smiles, a tired curve. Her eyes close again.“Rest darling. Rest and we can have fun later.”Her fingers twitch in mine, the pressure light but certain.I press my lips to her hand. “You’re going to get better. I promise.”The nurse

(Maya)Lucy is sitting up a little the next morning, propped in a nest of pillows the nurses built around her.Her face has color again. Her eyes follow movement. Her fingers are warm when I touch them.She’s even eaten some yogurt and some banana.“She’s strong enough for a short wheel around later,” one of the nurses says. “A little time outside. She’s doing beautifully. We’ll check with the doctor on rounds.”I nod. “Thank you.”When they leave, I press a kiss on Lucy’s forehead.She’s alive.She’s here and she’s okay.That part of the nightmare is easing.A quiet knock. Rhett steps in.He looks exhausted… face drawn, shoulders tight, clothes from yesterday. The duffel bag on his shoulder means one thing before he even speaks.“I wanted to see how Lucy is doing.”“She’s doing really well. But Owen is in intensive care. They are going to ask a bioethics committee about the marrow from Lucy.”“In her condition, surely not…”“I’m not for it. Not yet. She needs to be stronger.” And I n

(Maya)I watch Cole turn and leave and I cough. “I think, I think I need a drink.”“I’ll go grab one for you.” Rhett steps back and lets me go.“It’s okay. You go call your commanding officer and check in on Tessa. I’ll pop down to the cafeteria.”“Okay. Sure. I’ll see you back in here later?”“Yes. I’ll be here.” I walk out of Lucy’s room, trying to steady myself. I look along the corridor. No sign of Cole.Maybe that’s what he needed to see. Maybe this will show him that he and I are really over.It’s okay. This is my second chance. I can choose someone good this time.I’m halfway down the corridor when the air shifts behind me.I don’t hear footsteps. I feel him.Maybe I’m wrong. I keep walking. As I go to turn the corner for the elevator, Cole steps in front of me.He doesn’t look furious. That would almost be easier. He stares at me.I stare back. I try to muster up courage. I try to ignore the need building in my veins.He looks… calm.Too calm. I know what this means and I thin

(Cole)She is trembling beautifully.Naked bottom half. Perfect.Her wrists now held above her head because I told her to keep them there.Her body soft, shaking, begging without words. Punishment suits her.Obedience suits her even more.There’s a moment right before she gives in… that flicker of panic in her eyes, that tiny last flare of resistance… and watching it collapse is better than any high I’ve ever had.She wants to believe her choices matter.She wants to pretend she can pick a different life, a different man, a different version of herself.But I know her. I know when she’s vulnerable. I know when I can dominate her.“You wanted this,” I say again because I can’t stop hearing it.She nods, breath fractured. Humiliated. Desperate for release.I move slowly at first, not because I need patience, but because she does.She needs the anticipation as much as the contact… that slow realization that no matter how hard she tries, she will always unravel for me.She breaks just by

(Maya)My mom comes up and tries to fix my hair.“Mom, stop fussing. I’m okay.”“You are far from okay.”Mom continues her critique. “You’re blotchy. Your eyes are bloodshot. And your shirt is wrinkled. Did you sleep in a chair or something?”Evelyn stays silent but the way she looks me up and down, I know she agrees.“I’ve been awake most of the night worrying about Lucy. Then there’s Tessa, of course I’m a wreck.”“Oh, sweetheart,” Mom says, pulling me into her arms before I can dodge. “I came as soon as I could. How is my beautiful granddaughter?”I stiffen. Her perfume triggers a dozen childhood arguments about why she had to buy the most expensive one.“She’s stable,” I manage.“Oh, thank God. I mean, family is everything isn’t it? Your kids are just your life…”“Indeed,” Evelyn says. “Well, at least Lucy will get better. Owen is in the hospital every week. His condition barely improves. The worry is just awful.”“We are not turning this into a pissing contest about who has the m