(READER DISCRETION ADVISED: The following content may contain mature themes, or disturbing subject matter. Reader discretion is advised.)
Lila exchanged a bewildered glance with Axel, who was clearly just as perplexed as she was. "I'm glad you're alright," Lila managed to say, her voice carefully neutral.
Heather's eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and malice. "Thank you, Lila. By the way, Mateo and I have some exciting news." She paused for dramatic effect, then continued, "We're getting married! And we'd love for you both to attend the wedding."
The announcement hit Lila like a punch to the gut. She struggled to maintain her composure, the memory of their earlier confrontation still fresh in her mind. "Congratulations," she said, her voice strained. "When's the wedding?"
"In two weeks," Heather replied cheerfully. "It's going to be a grand affair. We really hope you can make it."
Mateo nodded in agreement, his eyes lingering on Lila with a strange intensity. "Yes, it would mean a lot to us if you could be there."
Lila felt Axel's grip on her shoulder tighten, a silent gesture of support. "We'll see if we can make it," he said diplomatically, his tone cold and measured.
"Wonderful!" Heather said, her smile never wavering. "We'll send you the details soon. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
As Heather and Mateo moved away, Lila turned to Axel, her eyes wide with confusion and unease. "What just happened? How is she fine?"
Axel shook his head, his expression grim.
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[flashback]
As Heather lay on the ground, staring at the blood soaking her legs, a sharp, excruciating pain radiated through her stomach. A wave of nausea hit her, and her breath came in short, panicked gasps. Realization dawned on her with horrifying clarity—she was losing her baby. The baby she had pinned all her hopes on, the only thing she had left.
"No, no, no," she whimpered, her voice barely a whisper as she clutched her stomach, trying to will the pain away. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the sweat and grime. "Please, not my baby. Please."
Her thoughts raced, a chaotic blend of fear and despair. She remembered her childhood, the gnawing hunger, the nights spent shivering without enough to eat. She had always vowed to give her child a better life, a life free from the struggles she had endured. But now, it was slipping away from her.
"Mateo... I need Mateo," she murmured through her tears, but deep down, she knew the truth. Mateo had only accepted her because of the baby she was carrying. Without it, she was nothing to him.
Desperation fueled her as she forced herself to her feet, her legs trembling. She had to get away, had to find help. But where? The palace was too far, and she couldn't bear the thought of facing Lila again. Panic overtook her, and she stumbled towards the forest, her vision blurring with tears and pain.
"I can't lose my baby. I can't," she repeated like a mantra, her voice broken and filled with anguish. Each step felt like a herculean effort, the pain in her stomach growing worse with every movement.
As she ran, memories of her childhood flashed before her eyes. The empty cupboards, the nights spent huddled with her siblings for warmth, the constant struggle to survive. She had clawed her way out of that life, using every means at her disposal to secure a future for herself and her child. And now, it was all unraveling.
"Please, someone, help me," she cried out into the darkening forest, but there was no response. She was alone, just as she had been for most of her life.
Her strength waned, and she collapsed against a tree, sobs wracking her body. The pain was unbearable, a cruel reminder of everything she was about to lose. She pressed a hand to her stomach, feeling the last flickers of life slipping away.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered to her unborn child, her voice breaking. "I wanted to give you everything I never had."
Heather's sobs subsided, replaced by a numb, hollow feeling. She forced herself to get up, her movements slow and shaky. Her mind was a haze of pain and confusion, but she knew she couldn't stay in the forest. She needed to compose herself, to figure out what to do next.
With a groan of effort, she stumbled back towards the palace, her legs heavy and unsteady. The pain in her stomach was a constant, gnawing ache, but she forced herself to keep moving, driven by sheer willpower.
When she finally reached her chambers, Heather locked the door behind her and leaned against it, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She felt disconnected from her own body, as if she were watching herself from a distance. Moving automatically, she went to the bathroom and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was pale and streaked with tears, her eyes hollow and red-rimmed.
"I have to fix this," she muttered to herself, the sound of her own voice grounding her slightly. She splashed cold water on her face, trying to wash away the evidence of her breakdown. Her hands shook as she applied makeup, covering the signs of her ordeal.
With trembling hands, she rummaged through the medicine cabinet and found a bottle of painkillers. She swallowed a few, hoping to dull the physical agony that was consuming her. For a moment, she leaned against the sink, closing her eyes and willing the pain to fade.
Memories of the forest, the blood, and the loss threatened to overwhelm her, but she shoved them aside, focusing instead on the immediate task of regaining her composure. She changed into a fresh dress, smoothing out the fabric with shaking fingers.
"I can't let them see me like this," she whispered fiercely to herself. "I have to keep it together."
Taking a deep breath, Heather straightened up, her face a mask of determination. She would deal with the pain later, in the privacy of her own mind. For now, she had to present a façade of normalcy, to make sure no one suspected anything was wrong.
As she stepped back into the palace corridors, her posture was rigid, her expression carefully neutral. Each step was a test of her resolve, but she kept moving forward, driven by a desperate need to maintain control.
Heather made her way back to the reception area, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and defiance. She spotted Mateo across the room, and a wave of nausea hit her, but she pushed it down. She had to act as if everything was fine, as if the world hadn't just crumbled around her.
With a forced smile, she approached Mateo, who looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Heather, where have you been? You look a bit pale," he said, reaching out to touch her arm.
"I just needed a moment to myself," Heather replied smoothly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "But I'm fine now. Let's enjoy the evening."
Mateo raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Heather took his arm, her grip tight as if anchoring herself to reality. She glanced around the room, catching sight of Lila and Axel. Her smile never wavered, but a cold determination settled in her heart. She would not let them see her weakness. Not now, not ever.
The painkillers began to take effect, dulling the edges of her agony. For now, she would pretend. For now, she would survive.