𝒯𝒽ℯ ℛ𝒾𝓈ℯ 𝒪𝒻 𝒜 𝒬𝓊ℯℯ𝓃

Chapter |18| The Sex Therapist

A R A B E L L A ' S    P. O. V

Rowan passed me my blue cardigan to go over the white eyelet dress I chose to wear today. The material stretched over my large bump, but fortunately didn't tear like some of my other clothes.

"Is Hardin with him today?" Our eyes met in the mirror as I nodded. Almost the entire Palace was aware of Benjamin's fragile condition.

A few days ago, the very day Hardin and I had made up, Benjamin awoke from his coma. We had rushed down immediately, both thinking we could finally speak to him about the events that unfolded the tragic night he was taken.

Yet, nothing.

Benjamin was fine physically, there was nothing wrong with his vocal chords or muscles, but he refused to talk or move. Instead, he merely lay there everyday staring into a abyss of nothing and ignoring everything around him.

He had a catheter and was fed using a drip because he didn't eat or go to the bathroom. I used to think Benjamin was a selfish bastard but this topped it all off.

I knew he was suffering inside, the emotional scars the attack left him with must have devastating but it was heart breaking to have to listen to Haridn beg for his father to give him any sign that the man who raised him was still in there.

Still though, Hardin never gave him.

He sat by his father for hours each day, simply talking to him about the Kingdom, about our baby and I watched through the halls window as he never spoke back.

The strangest thing though was Clarissa. When I informed her of Benjamin's condition, I swear that I saw a sense of relief in her eyes, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

That's why I decided I need to know more about my mother. This charm that prevented her from speaking had a story behind it and I was determined to find out what it is.

The door creaked open, and Rowan rushed forward to open it wholly for my husband. He strode in with a smile gracing his face, yet the defeat in his eyes told me that he had spent hours pouring his heart out to his father, only to receive a blank stare in return.

"Rowan could you set the parlour up please," She noted the hidden message behind my words and quickly slipped out. Reaching for his hand, I pulled Hardin over to the ottoman by the window.

"You don't have to do this." He snorted out, taking a seat besides me.

"Do what?" I batted my eyelashes as I feigned innocence.

He gave me a pointed look. "You know what. Treating me as though I'm a child who will self destruct at any moment."

"I'm worried about you baby. None of this is going to be easy on you and you're spending hours talking to someone who isn't talking back."

"I'm hoping that my voice will help him, maybe if I say something that will irritate him enough he'll snap." My eyes filled with mirth.

"That's your plan? Make him angry?" Hardin shrugged his wide shoulders, drawing my attention over to his blue jacket that hugged biceps perfectly.

"It seems to work best, look baby I don't want you to worry about this. I'm fine, so let's forget all about my father for the mean time and focus on us." As though we were starting over again, he clutched my hands and took a deep breath. "What are you doing today then?"

"Having tea with Clarissa in the Parlour." His face dropped.

"I know I can't control what you do Arabella but think about this. She hasn't even apologised yet."