Eternally Yours {Kaoru Hitachiin} [OHSHC]✔️

24 | Relief

Chapter 24 | Relief

~Kaoru's POV~

"So, that's it. After I was eventually discharged from the hospital, my mom got me a therapist and a psychiatrist and eventually, I got better; both the emotional and physical scars healed for me and for Daniel and Mom." Arabella finished.

I just stared at her, wide-eyed. "What happened to Robert...?" I asked cautiously.

"Mom told the police about the years of abuse and the police arrested Robert. He's in jail and out or our lives for good." Arabella explained.

I nodded. "I'm glad... I'm really glad. And, I had no idea you had this much pain and suffering in your past... I'm sorry for all you went through... I had no idea..." I mumbled.

I can't believe Arabella has a past like that... She's so bright and happy now... I never would have guessed...

"It's okay... But would it be okay if this was kept just between you and me...? I don't want any one else to find out just yet..." Arabella said.

I sighed. "I wish, Arabella... But Sakura has your diary, remember? She could do anything with it... That bitch..."

This time, Arabella sighed. "You're right... What am I saying? This'll be the talk of the week by tomorrow morning..." she grumbled.

I put my arm around Arabella's shoulders and pulled her close so she leaned against me. "Ya' know what I don't get?" I asked.

"Hm?"

"I don't get how anyone could possibly hurt a beautiful, kind girl like you. You're so bright, brilliant, and full of life... that and the fact that you're amazingly beautiful... I just don't get how anyone could hurt someone like you..." I said. Arabella looked at me and blushed deeply.

Upon realizing what I just said, I blushed deeply too. I mean, I just basically admitted I thought Arabella was hot... Thank God Hikaru isn't here... because if he were he wouldn't let me hear the end of it...

"Th-Thanks, Kaoru... That means a lot...," Arabella said. Then, she pouted. "Ugh! We're gonna be stuck inside this closet for the rest of our lives...! This small, tiny, closed-up, little closet..." She gripped the carpet.

"Shh, hey, it's okay... Just take deep breaths... In and out, alright?" I said calmly.

Arabella nodded and squeezed her eyes shut and began taking deep, slow breaths in and out.

When she was done, I nudged her. "Feeling better?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yeah... Thanks."

I smiled. "Glad to help," I said. Then, I asked, "Hey, if you don't mind me asking, why are you claustrophobic, anyway?"

Arabella looked at me.

I immediately regretted asking.

"You don't have to--"

"No, it's fine," Arabella interrupted. "It's okay, really. I'm claustrophobic because when Robert still lived with us, as a punishment, he'd lock me in an incredibly small closet and leave me there for hours, some times even a day if he was mad enough... And he would rarely feed me..."

My eyes widened. This poor girl...

It... It just isn't acceptable! Not at all! She shouldn't have gone through what she did!

I grabbed Arabella by her shoulders. "Arabella, you listen to me! You promise me that you will NEVER let ANYONE treat you like that ever again! Okay? Promise me right now!" I shouted.