Love's Resilience

MORNING OF HEALING

I woke up feeling pain all over my body. Every movement was a reminder of the previous night's ordeal. Blinking against the sunlight streaming through the windows, I reached out instinctively, but Aaron wasn't there beside me. A pang of fear shot through me—was he disgusted by what happened? Did he leave because he couldn't stand to be near me?

Trying to get up, I almost lost my balance. Before I could hit the ground, a pair of strong arms caught me and gently pulled me back onto the bed. I looked up to see Aaron, concern etched across his face.

"You need to rest," he said softly, guiding me back against the pillows.

My eyes drifted to the breakfast tray on the bedside table. He must have been up early to prepare it for me. Aaron noticed my gaze and smiled slightly. "I made breakfast. But first, you should brush your teeth and complete your morning routine."

Grateful for the distraction, I nodded. It took me a few minutes to gather the strength to get out of bed, and Aaron's watchful eyes never left me. As I moved, I had a flashback of my stepmother's harsh voice, reminding me how unworthy I was of any care or love. The stark contrast between then and now made my chest tighten with a mix of gratitude and fear.

After about ten minutes, I emerged from the washroom, feeling slightly more human.

When I returned to the room, I saw Christian standing by the door. "Good morning," he greeted me. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," I replied, managing a small smile. "Thank you for asking."

Aaron helped me to sit down, his touch gentle yet firm. He started feeding me, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. Christian watched for a moment before clearing his throat.

"I should get going," Christian said, glancing at Aaron. "I'll call you later."

"Thanks, Christian," Aaron replied, giving him a nod.

Christian left, and the room felt quieter without his presence. Aaron focused on me, ensuring I ate enough. His care and attention made me feel safe, yet I couldn't shake the lingering fear and doubt.

"Why are you doing all this?" I asked quietly, looking into his eyes.

Aaron paused, his expression softening. "Because I care about you, Allison. And because I want to be here for you."

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them back. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice breaking slightly.

Aaron smiled, his thumb gently brushing away a stray tear. "You don't need to thank me, love. I'm here for you. You are safe now. You are my responsibility for the next one year."

Those words reminded me that he cared for me because of the contract and humanitarian basis, Emily was right I'm disgusting.

After breakfast, Aaron helped me settle back into bed. "You need to rest," he repeated, his voice soft yet firm.

I lay back, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me. The gentle hum of the room and the comforting presence of Aaron lulled me into a light sleep.

But sleep didn't bring peace. I found myself back in that room with Blake. His sneering face loomed over me, and his hands reached out, grabbing and pulling. I thrashed and fought, my movements frantic and desperate.

"Allison! Allison, wake up!" Aaron's voice pierced through the nightmare, pulling me back to reality. My eyes flew open to see his worried face. I immediately started sobbing, the terror of the dream still gripping me.

Aaron held me close, his arms a safe haven. "It's okay, I'm here. You're safe now," he whispered, rocking me gently as I cried. His steady presence calmed my racing heart, and I clung to him, feeling the last of my strength ebb away.

Slowly, the sobs subsided, and I felt myself slipping back into darkness, but this time, it was a more peaceful surrender. Aaron's arms around me were a reminder that I wasn't alone, and as I drifted off, I knew he would be there when I woke up.

I woke up after what felt like an eternity. The room was dark, and the only light came from Aaron's laptop screen. He was sitting on the couch, working intently. I tried to speak, but my throat was parched. Clearing my throat, I drew his attention.

Aaron immediately came to my side. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

I pointed to the water on the bedside table, and he handed it to me. After drinking, I asked, "What happened?"

"You passed out," he explained. "I had to call the doctor. He said you were exhausted and need to rest for a week."

"Rest for a week? But the wedding is in two days," I protested. "We still have to pick the cake, and I need to help your mom."

Aaron cut me off gently. "I'll take care of everything. You just focus on getting better."

I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and gratitude. "Okay," I said softly.

Aaron smiled reassuringly. "How about we order some takeout? You need to take your medicine."

I nodded, feeling the weight of everything settle over me again. As Aaron made the call, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Despite the darkness of my past, there was a light in my future, and it was sitting right beside me.