Secrets | 5SOS

[10]

Luke finally spoke up.
"We need to take you to the hospital, lovebug. You need to be checked out."

I nodded, the pain in my body was becoming unbearable. And i knew i would have to do it anyways.

"Ca-can it be you?" I asked Luke, my voice barely above a whisper. I trusted him. He will protect me, right?

"Ofcourse."

Ashton gently helped me stand. Him and Calum supporting me as we walked to the car, Michael driving us.

**Isabella’s POV

The hospital room was cold, and the sterile scent made my stomach churn with anxiety. I sat on the examination table, my hands tightly clasped in my lap, while Luke prepared to conduct the pelvic exam.

"Isabella, I need you to try to relax as much as possible," Luke said gently, his voice filled with compassion. "This might be uncomfortable, but it's important for your health."

I nodded, my throat tight with fear. Calum stood beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder in silent support.

As Luke began the exam, I closed my eyes, trying to block out the discomfort. But with each touch, each movement, memories of the assault flooded my mind, and tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.

Luke worked quickly and efficiently, his movements gentle yet thorough. And as he progressed, his expression grew increasingly grave.

"What is it?" Calum asked, his voice tense with apprehension.

Luke paused, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of sadness and empathy. "Isabella, I’m afraid there’s significant damage here. It appears to be consistent with repeated trauma."

The words hit me like a physical blow, and my breath caught in my throat. Repeated trauma. The reality of what had happened to me sunk in, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.

Calum's grip on my shoulder tightened, his expression mirroring my own shock and disbelief. "What does that mean, Luke?"

Luke sighed, his gaze flickering between Calum and me. "It means that these injuries didn’t happen just once, Calum. Isabella has endured repeated instances of trauma, likely over a prolonged period of time."

The room fell silent, the weight of Luke's words hanging heavy in the air. Repeated trauma. The realization sent shivers down my spine, and I felt as though the ground had been ripped out from beneath me.

Calum pulled me into a tight embrace, his arms a lifeline in the midst of the storm raging inside me. "I’m so sorry, Bella," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I’m so sorry you had to go through this."

Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I clung to Calum, seeking solace in his embrace.

"We'll be okay."

It was getting harder and harder to believe.

*Lukes POV*

"Do you want me to talk to her?", Dr. Deaton asked me as i leaned against the wall my hands tugging at my hair.

It was so hard. So damn hard. I couldn't be there to protect her and she was so hurt.

"Please?" i asked Dr  Deaton, almost in desperation.

------------
a few days later.

I had been moved to online school, and Jake as well as Clarissa had been arrested. The police had managed to erase all the videos and photos from Clarissa's phone but they did not mention the details to the guys.

I was working on an assignment, sitting on the kitchen table when Michael came in. It was only him and i home.

"Bells, Can i talk to you?"

"Ofcourse Mike, whats up?"

"Well the other day, when you told us about everything that happened, you mentioned that they would leak a secret of yours. Can i know what it was? It has to be concerning if thats how far you went to conceal it."

I breathed in. I knew i couldn't and shouldn't hide it anymore. I slowly nodded and pulled up my sleeve to show Michael.

His breath hitched in his throat as he ran his fingers over the angry scars that lay on my wrists. Some freshly bandaged, others old.

"Bella, sweetheart, why didn't you come to us sooner? You should've told us the moment you felt this way. This isn't healthy, baby"

His words were starting to blur, sounding a bit more distant. My head was spinning as i grew increasingly lightheaded.

"M-mike i..."

Before i could say another word, I passed out right into Michael's strong hold.