"Don't worry," Angel said softly, her arms crossed. "She said it on purpose. She doesn't mean everything she blurted out downstairs. She told me something completely different when we were upstairs."Jake's eyes lit up with curiosity. "What did she say?"
Angel raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Why do you want to know?"Hey, honey, don't be like that," Maxwell chimed in, now leaning forward with interest. "In fact, I want to know too."
Angel smirked. "I have nothing to tell either of you. I'm going to check on her and make sure she eats something."She called out, "Martina!"
"Yes, ma'am," the maid appeared promptly.
"Please serve Aurora supper in her room. Make sure there are plenty of vegetables."
"Of course, ma'am."
Aurora was lying in bed, deeply engrossed in a novel, when her stomach let out a loud growl."Oh no…" she muttered, holding her belly. "How embarrassing. I'm starving. I should've just eaten downstairs instead of being stubborn."She looked toward the ceiling dramatically. "Virgin Mary, please help me just this once."
A knock interrupted her thoughts."It's open. Come in."Martina stepped in, balancing a large tray filled with steaming hot dishes.
The aroma hit Aurora like a wave. "Mmm… the smell—Martina, you're a lifesaver. Hand it over." The maid handed her the tray, chuckling. "Ma'am, will you need anything else?"
"No, I'm fine. You can go now."
Aurora didn't waste a second. She devoured the meal like she hadn't eaten in weeks. Her hands moved quickly, scooping up spoonful after spoonful. She finished the entire tray in under five minutes."Wow… I didn't know I could eat like this," she whispered, staring at the empty plates. Food hadn't appealed to her lately. Maybe her appetite was finally returning.
Burp.
She clamped her hand over her mouth instantly."Oh no… Thank God I ate alone in my room. That would've been humiliating."
She looked down at her stomach. "When did I start burping like this?"But soon, sleep began to wrap around her like a blanket. Her eyelids fluttered, her breathing slowed, and the darkness pulled her into the realm of dreams.
Jake crept into her room like a thief, silent and cautious. He stopped at the door and just… stared.She looked so peaceful now, curled under the covers. He moved slowly to the side of the bed, knelt beside her, and brushed a soft strand of hair off her face."You're so beautiful," he whispered under his breath, his thumb lightly tracing her cheek. "I love you… so much. I know what I did is unforgivable, but please… I'm begging you. Find it in your kind heart to forgive me. I need you back in my life."Aurora shifted slightly in her sleep. Jake froze, watching her intently.She murmured something."Please… don't leave me… I love you, Jake. You hurt me… but I still love you…"
Jake's heart clenched. Her face twisted into a grimace. She started turning side to side, crying softly in her sleep. Then came the gasps, the panting.She was having a nightmare."No… no… don't cry," Jake said gently, his voice breaking.He climbed onto the bed and wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay… it was just a bad dream," he whispered, stroking her hair and kissing her damp forehead.Aurora woke up with a gasp, tears still spilling down her cheeks. Without thinking, she threw herself into Jake's chest and clung to him tightly.
"It's okay, you're safe now," he murmured, holding her like he'd never let go again. He reached for the glass of water on the nightstand and gently brought it to her lips.
She drank a few sips and laid back down against his chest.Within minutes, she was fast asleep again.Jake didn't leave her side all night. He sat there, arms protectively wrapped around her, scared she might fall into another nightmare if he let go.
"Ugh… someone close that curtain!" Aurora groaned, throwing a pillow over her head. "I don't want to wake up…"
She blinked rapidly, slowly adjusting to the morning light.