My Angel

CHAPTER 36: FIGHTER

Ayla's pov~

The night before felt like a blur. I was
ashamed that Alessio and the others had found me this way. They had to see me in my moment of weakness.

Alessio continued to ask me questions. He coaxed me to reveal the truth. His words felt like they were coming under water and my body felt like it was floating.

He begged. He cajoled. He sounded
desperate. He told me I was worth more than I thought, yet I couldn't bring myself to respond.

He was wrong. I was worth nothing. I was awhore. Dirty. Used. I was just an empty vessel.

His words hurt because he was lying.
I wanted to scream. I hated him. Stop lying, please. My heart was aching. It hurt so much. I didn't bring happiness. I was not light. I was darkness. Nobody cared. I was on my own.

Alessio bent closer and I felt his warmth
next to my hand that laid on the bed. His hand was close to mine. So close yet not touching
"Can I touch you?"

I went rigid. No. He couldn't touch me. I
didn't thinkI could bear a man's touch at that moment. Or anyone's touch.
It felt like I would crumble and fade away in the air.

Please leave. Please go. Leave me.
I heard him blow out a sharp breath and he stood up, pushing the chair away. He was leaving.

I just want you to know that you are
loved..you matter. To Maddie. To Lena, and to me" Alessio murmured gently.

His words felt like sharp knife against my heart.
Closing my eyes, I gave him only silence. I didn't say anything. I couldn't.

His words hurt. I wished they didn't, but his lies broke my already fractured heart. I trusted him, yet he fed me lies.

As he walked away, his footsteps faded
away until I didn't hear him anymore. When I heard the door close, I sighed and kept my eyes shut.

I rubbed my fingers over the bumpy
bandages and my nose tingled as the tears started to form behind my close eyelids. I never thought I would take such a step. I didn't even remember it happening. I was so lost, so far gone that I didn't realize what I was doing.

But I remember the silence that I felt when I lost consciousness. It felt nice. Empowering It felt like I was in charge of my emotions for once. However, I knew it was Wrong.

As a single tear slipped down the side of
my face, I pulled the covers up under my chin.
Turning to my left side, I faced the window but
still kept my eyes closed. Swiping the trail of tears away, I sighed arnd let the tiredness take Over my body.

A few minutes later, I was asleep again.
And Alessio's voice never left me.
"You are worth more than you think."

                   ******

My eyes snapped open and I quickly
blinked the sleepiness away when I heard my door open. My body stiffened.

A few seconds later, I felt my bed shift
beside me and the scent of rose perfume teased my nose.
Maddie.

I looked up and saw her staring down at
me, her face sad. Her eyes were red and puffy and she looked haggard.
"Hey," she whispered.
"Hey,"I replied softly.

She stared at me silently for a few seconds and then she sniffled. My eyes widened when saw hers filled with unshed tears.

"Don't ever do that again" she said, quickly swiping away the tears that fell down her cheeks.

"Maddie." My chest felt impossibly tight at the sight of her crying.
"You..know.how hard that was...seeing
you like that. Finding you in that state?" She wept.
I closed my eyes as guilt encompassed my heart and body.