Unexpected Love

9. The Revelation

Morning arrived like a cruel joke, and Lucy found herself staying in bed all day, as 6pm hit she found herself stumbling towards the station, every step an act of sheer willpower. She was only going in for an hour to do some paperwork but even that was too much for her..

Her body throbbed in protest, and exhaustion threatened to swallow her whole. As she entered the changing room, her vision blurred, and she could feel her knees buckling beneath her. Just as she thought she would collapse, a pair of gentle hands encircled her waist, steadying her. Lucy looked up to find Angela's worried gaze. "Lucy! Are you okay?" Angela asked, concern etched deep into her features. Lucy wanted to crumble into her arms, to let all the pain and shame pour out. But she couldn't.

Not here, not now. So she offered a feeble smile and lied, "Yeah, I'm just a little dizzy." Angela didn't look convinced, but she helped Lucy sit down.

Once they were alone, Angela knelt in front of Lucy, her expression softening to one of genuine care. She gently tucked a strand of hair behind Lucy's ear, her touch feather-light against the tender skin. "Sweetheart," she said softly, "I can tell something's wrong. You don't have to pretend with me. Now, please, tell me the real reason you're feeling so dizzy." Lucy hesitated, biting her lip as she fought back tears.

Angela's eyes never left hers, filled with warmth and understanding. It was as if she already knew the truth, and she was simply offering a safe space for Lucy to share it.

The sincerity in her voice and the gentleness of her touch made Lucy's resolve crumble. She took a shaky breath and whispered, "my insulin I haven't been taking it.." she buried her face in her hands, sobs wracking her body. Angela's hands tightened around her waist, offering silent support.

Angela spoke softly. "and why would you not take insulin when you know you need it." lucy looked up at angela and said anxiously "My boyfriend, well he wont let me take it.. he wants me to lose weight."

Angela's grip on Lucy's hands tightened as she spoke, her voice filled with both compassion and determination.

"Lucy, listen to me. What he is doing, it's not right. Not allowing you to take your insulin...that's a form of abuse." Lucy's laughter, though mirthless, echoed in the changing room.

It was a harsh, bitter sound, filled with the weight of everything she'd endured. She knew Angela meant well, but Chris's cruelty ran deeper than that. *If only she understood the horrors I've faced,* Lucy thought numbly.

She met Angela's gaze, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Angela, you don't know the half of it," she whispered, her voice cracking under the strain.

"This is just...one thing. There's so much worse..." Her voice trailed off, unable to put her pain into words. Angela's expression shifted to one of dawning horror, realising the extent of Lucy's suffering.

Driven by a fierce protectiveness, Angela guided Lucy to sit on her lap and headed straight for the first aid kit. With trembling hands, she retrieved the insulin and carefully administered it, her heart aching for luce.

Lucy clung to her tightly, seeking solace in Angela's embrace.

"Shh, it's okay," Angela whispered soothingly, rocking Lucy gently. "You're going to be alright. I'm here for you, always." In that moment, Lucy felt a tiny flicker of hope ignite within her, and she clung to it fiercely.