Glassheart

Chapter 15

RED'S POV
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I was sitting on the bathroom floor, tears streaming down my face. I felt terrible, knowing that everything could have been prevented if I had just waited a little longer for her. Suddenly, I heard a knock at the door and unlocked it.

"Red?" Audrey said as she opened the door. Upon seeing me, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

"Red, don't cry. Everything is going to be alright," Audrey reassured me. I usually hated hugs from everyone except Chloe, but in that moment, I needed Audrey's hug.

"This is all my fault. She's going to hate me and lose trust in me because I let this happen! I could have waited just a few more minutes until she woke up!" I sobbed into her shoulder.

"Red, don't say that. She's not going to hate you or lose trust. Right now, she needs you more than anything else," Audrey replied firmly.

"But I could have prevented this!" I protested.

"Calm down, Red. I know you could have, but you didn't know. No one expected him to be here. What happened isn't your fault, and it's not hers either," Audrey said soothingly. I wiped my tears away.

"I feel like such a terrible person. She deserves so much better than this," I admitted, fresh tears brimming in my eyes.

"Red, stop that. She deserves you more than anyone else. You're exactly what she needs right now," Audrey said, and my tears continued to fall.

"Why does this have to happen?" I cried out in frustration.

"Red, it's going to be okay. I promise. Please, just breathe," Audrey urged. I rested my arms on the sink and took a few deep breaths to calm myself.

"Hey, Red?" Chad said, walking through the door. I looked up at him.

"I'm so sorry. You probably hate me," I said, struggling to hold back tears.

"What? No, Red! I don't hate you," he replied, shaking his head. I wiped my cheeks dry.

"But why not? I should have stayed with her. This all could have been avoided. She probably hates me and is terrified," I lamented.

"Red, that's not true. She told me to come get you. Just take a breath, and we can talk later, alright?" he reassured me. I nodded and wiped my face once more, taking a deep breath before reentering the room. Chloe was sitting on her bed, tears streaking her cheeks.

"Come here, baby," I said, settling down beside her. She immediately tightened her grip around me as I leaned back.

"Don't cry. It makes me feel worse," Chloe said, her heart was so big.

"I'm alright, Chlo. I promise I'm okay," I said, forcing a smile as I gently wrapped my arms around her. She clung to me, finding solace in my arms. Chad and Audrey were still in the room, while Uma was outside, speaking with the guards and trying to understand how he managed to get in. Soon, Ella and Charming entered the dorm.

"Chloe!?" her mother exclaimed. Chloe turned to her parents.

"Mom," she said, her voice trembling as she sat up and hugged her mother. She shook from crying so much and from the panic that had overtaken her.

"Honey, are you okay? Oh my gosh!" Ella exclaimed, concern evident in her eyes. Chloe continued to sob, and then her father enveloped her in his arms.

"Pumpkin, I'm so sorry. It's all alright," Charming said softly.

"Red, come here," Chad beckoned from the other side of the room while Chloe was with her parents. I moved to his side.

"She's okay. You're okay," he reassured me.