Beneath The Surface

Chapter 47: Unyielding Resolve

Trigger Warning !
This chapter contains mentions of rape, which may be upsetting or triggering for some readers.
Please proceed with caution.

--- Ace's POV ---

The next morning, I woke up next to Raven. During the night, she had moved closer, curling up into my arm. Looking down at her, I realize how much I missed waking up next to her. Gently, I move my hand to brush her hair away from her face, wanting to see her beautiful features more clearly. She stirs at my touch, her eyes shooting open. She looks right at me, and I softly greet her, "Morning, beautiful."

When she doesn’t respond, I continue, "Can I make you some breakfast?" She keeps looking at me, and then, finally, for the first time in a week, she responds, "Yes, please."

Hearing her voice and her agreeing to food makes me extremely happy. Still in shock, I say, "I’ll get right to it." Carefully, I slip out of bed and leave the room, leaving Raven and Marco still lying in bed as I head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for us all, especially Raven.

In the kitchen, I feel a glimmer of hope. This small step means the world to me. I gather ingredients, thinking about what she might like, something simple and comforting. As I start cooking, I find myself smiling, thinking about how we might finally be getting through to her.

I prepare bacon, eggs, toast, and a fresh pot of coffee, making sure everything is perfect. I add some fruit on the side, hoping to give her a little extra nourishment. The smell of breakfast fills the kitchen, and I can’t wait to bring the tray up to her.

As I carry the tray back upstairs, my heart is racing. I hope this small gesture will help her see that we’re here for her, ready to support her through whatever she’s going through. I reach the door and gently knock before entering. Marco looks up from the bed, his eyes lighting up as he sees the tray.

"Breakfast is ready," I say, moving to place the tray on the nightstand. Raven glances at the food, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something in her eyes. Maybe, just maybe, this is the start of her coming back to us.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I watch as she slowly sits up. Marco shifts closer to her, his eyes filled with concern and hope. I hand her a cup of coffee first, and she takes it, holding it in her hands for a moment before taking a sip. The warmth seems to bring some life back into her.

"Thank you," she says softly, her voice still weak but more present than before. I nod, trying to keep my emotions in check. Seeing her like this has been torture, but this small progress feels monumental.

I cut a piece of toast and offered it to her. She hesitates but then takes it, nibbling slowly. Marco and I exchange a glance, both of us silently cheering her on. We sit there with her, not wanting to overwhelm her with conversation, just being there as she starts to eat.

"Take your time," I say gently. "There's no rush."

She nods, her focus on the food. It's clear that she's still processing a lot, but this is a start. After a few bites, she looks up at us, and for the first time in days, there’s a hint of gratitude in her eyes.

"I appreciate this," she says quietly. "Both of you."

"We’re here for you, Raven," Marco replies, his voice filled with sincerity. "Whatever you need, whenever you’re ready, we’re here."

She doesn’t say anything more, but the fact that she’s eating and acknowledging our presence feels like a breakthrough. We sit with her as she continues to eat, the silence filled with unspoken support and love.

After a while, I gently suggest, "Maybe later, if you’re up for it, we could take a walk outside. Get some fresh air."

She nods slowly. "Maybe."

It’s not a definitive yes, but it’s enough for now. We’ll take it one step at a time, supporting her as she finds her way back to us.

After Raven takes a few more bites of the fruit and nothing else, I speak up again, "Would you like me to run you a bath?"

She hesitates at first, then softly nods. Marco gets out of bed, picking up the tray and making his way out of the room to take it back to the kitchen. I stand up as well, heading to the ensuite bathroom to start running a bath for her. I add some lavender bubble bath, hoping it will help calm her.

Once I'm satisfied with the temperature of the water, I return to the bedroom to help Raven out of bed. Moving towards her, I gently guide her to the bathroom. She seems hesitant the entire time, her steps slow and cautious.

Inside the bathroom, I ask, "Do you want us to leave?"

She looks up at me, not replying yet, and then Marco comes into the bathroom, also waiting for her answer. After a moment, she shakes her head no.

Taking that as permission, I proceed to help her undress. As I do, I am shocked to see her back covered in bruises. They look like marks from being held down, not beaten. Rage boils inside me.

I glance over at Marco to see if he's noticed. His eyes are blazing with anger as well. Turning Raven around gently, I grip her chin to make her look at me, asking a question that could probably have waited until she was ready to tell us on her own. But seeing her body like this, it can't wait. "Who did this to you?"

She is silent for a moment longer, but before I can ask again, she whispers, "Ivan Volkov."

Hearing that name sent a tidal wave of fury crashing through me. Ivan Volkov. The thought of him touching her made my blood boil. Marco's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening with rage.

Raven’s voice, slightly breaking, interrupted the silence, "He ... he raped me."

The air felt like it had been sucked out of the room. The words hung there, heavy and suffocating. My heart felt like it had been ripped out of my chest. Marco's face contorted with a mixture of fury and sorrow. For a moment, none of us moved, as if the gravity of her admission had rooted us to the spot.

I couldn't hold back the anger any longer. Turning away from Raven, I slammed my fist against the bathroom mirror. The glass cracked under the force, spiderwebs of fractures spreading from the point of impact. The pain in my hand was nothing compared to the rage and helplessness coursing through me.

Marco's voice was a low growl, barely restrained. "Ivan's dead," he said, his voice shaking with anger. "But even death is too good for what he did to you."

I could see the storm brewing in Marco's eyes, the desire for revenge clashing with the helplessness of knowing the man responsible was already gone. It made me just as furious, knowing we couldn't exact the justice we craved.

Turning back to Raven, I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tightly. "We'll make sure no one ever hurts you like this again," I whispered into her ear, my voice thick with emotion. The resolve in my voice was unshakeable. Marco and I would do whatever it took to protect her, to help her heal from this nightmare.

Marco stepped closer, his anger palpable. "We failed you once, Raven. It won't happen again. We'll protect you, no matter what."

Raven's eyes filled with tears, but she didn’t cry. She simply stepped into the bath, sinking into the warm, fragrant water. Marco and I stayed by her side, ready to help with anything she needed. The anger still simmered inside me, but it was tempered by the determination to help Raven heal.

As the water lapped against her skin, I couldn't help but feel a deep sadness for what she'd endured. But I also felt hope. She was strong, and with our support, she would overcome this. We would make sure of it.