Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Seven - Protect Her

Jade's body grew more stable by the day, but Amorio worried as she ran around the house, heading to her garden and doing the opposite of the doctor's advice. Alex couldn't help but enjoy these moments. Amorio ran his hands through his hair and sighed, clutching his stomach.

"She's going to be okay," Craig whispered in Amorio's ear. Alex returned his attention to Jade, sighing. Even in her current condition, she took his breath away.

"Jade, please. I don't want you to make anything worse," Amorio pleaded. Jade stopped and turned to face him. She took a deep breath before crossing into the main room and sitting with the others. Alex watched her, wondering what was going through her mind.

"I'm sorry I withheld the truth about what was happening. It's just that I knew nothing could be done, and I didn't want any of you to feel the guilt you're feeling now. I never wanted that." Jade's gaze dropped to her lap. "After a while, shame took over my concern. My body and heart hurt so much, and I felt discarded. I couldn't bring that on you guys. I wouldn't."

The room fell silent. Jade rubbed her hands together, trying to distract herself from the sympathetic gazes. Amorio's face was drawn, older than before. The gray in his hair was more pronounced; the bags under his eyes were heavy. Alex knew sleep had been elusive for him.

"What did they do to you, Jade?" Amorio asked the question they all wanted to ask but none wanted the answer to.

"Please, don't make me answer," she whispered.

"So, I'm supposed to let my mind wander to the worst?" Amorio said, his tone louder than they'd expected.

Jade's eyes watered, and her face flushed. "They beat me, okay? Sometimes they did it in groups, taking their time to hurt me, violate me, and do whatever the Void they wanted. Is that what you want to hear? How about I made my own money by posing for James? Is that better? Or when William—" She stopped, taking a deep breath as she stood up.

Alex froze at the mention of his father. His mind raced with thoughts of what he could have done to her.

"Jade. Wait," Amorio called out, rushing to her. "I'm sorry. I just feel so useless, not being able to protect you."

"You wouldn't have been able to protect me, Amorio. You would've just gotten hurt, too. There was no point in telling you."

"You should've had someone to tell all of this to."

"I did," she whispered, briefly glancing at Alex. "I'm going to get some air."

It all started to piece together. Jade had clung to Alex because he was the only one who could protect her. The letters—Alex realized they must've been her outlet, cries for help she knew would go unanswered. She had tried to justify it, saying she did all she could to get through, but never putting the burden on anyone else. She knew Alex hadn't read the letters because if he had, he wouldn't have left them unanswered. Alex stood up and walked outside, hoping to find her.

It didn't take long. Jade was staring at the magazines on the paper cart. Oh no, Alex thought, rushing toward her. Each magazine showcased her on the cover: Serf Cheats the System, The First Serf to Go to Omega 5? An Ability, but No Credibility. The photos were no better—some showed her being carried off, some with her falling, and many with Alex carrying her. He couldn't even remember seeing the paparazzi at the time.

He stood beside her. She glanced at him before turning her attention back to the cart.

"I know. They're horrible. Trust me. They'll move on to the next big thing soon, okay?"

"You mean like the first Serf going to Omega 5?" Alex turned his head. They both heard the whispers surrounding her.

"That's her. The Serf with an ability."

"I heard she thinks she's an Arc."

"Look at her—who in their right mind would call her 'too pretty to be a Serf'?"

The words hit Jade hard. Alex realized how much of her pain came from him—not just because he hadn't responded to her letters, but because of the words he had used to describe her. The song, the claims he made, all of it. Jade started walking away, and Alex followed. The words didn't stop, and he realized their impact on her. The harassment from strangers who thought they knew everything about her from a song he wrote. Jade's eyes were focused on the ground as she walked. In a Serf-dominated town, she felt unworthy even to meet the eyes of another Serf.

Alex quickened his pace, catching up to her. "Jade," he began but stopped when he saw the tears streaming down her face. "Hey. Come here. It's okay." She turned toward him, eyes still on the ground. "Jade." She reached into his pocket and grabbed the ring. His eyes widened as he turned to her.

"Marry me, Alex."

"Jade, I thought you didn't want this yet."

"Please, I can't take it anymore. I love you, and that's not going to change. You said you love me. Please, please," Jade's sobs twisted his stomach.

"Okay, yes." She pushed the ring on his finger, and Alex pulled her into his embrace, tightening his hold as she cried into his shirt. "It's okay. I'll take care of you. Okay?" She nodded, her face pressed against his chest. Alex heard the shutters of cameras nearby. "Kiss me," he whispered. "They're watching." Jade lifted her head and pressed her lips to his. Though it wasn't as magical as their past kisses, Alex's heart warmed, and just having her close sent him spiraling. Shutters clicked around them. Alex made sure to show his ring, hoping to lead the tabloids toward positive stories about them.

"Are you ready to go home?" Jade nodded. He wiped her face dry and led her back, leaving the sound of shutters behind them.