Shattered

Familial Issues

Regina

"What the hell is going on?" I asked nervously as my stepdaughter stormed off, Robin grumbled and dropped his bow and arrow at his side and sighed.

"Regina why did you do this?" He asked in a deflated tone, worrying me to a degree. "Do what?" I asked carefully, but he looked up at me with frustrated eyes and remained silent.

"Because losing you hurt too much. You gave your life for me, but I was a villain, the things I did were unspeakable. All of that weight and karma was impossible for me to carry along with my grief. I couldn't function, and when you're a mother and you can't even console your own child because your own grief and guilt is too much, then you need a change. When they sent Roland back to the Enchanted Forest without letting me say goodbye, I was completely heartbroken. And with my grief, the Queen started to show her ugly face towards the ones I loved most. That's when I knew that it was either me or them, and I chose them. I split myself so I could be the mother that Henry needed. So I could help Alena and start a healthy relationship with her after I found her. Although you may doubt it, but it got us our daughter. If I never split myself we might not have Evelyn, and I most definitely wouldn't have you." I wept, hugging myself as I stood by my choice to rip that evil part of me out, but my husband just rushed towards me to hold my arms.

"You never needed me Regina, you're a strong, independent woman who doesn't need a man, and you most definitely didn't need me to feel whole! You could have healed with the help of your family! Alena loves you no matter what! And I fully trust that you would have gotten Evelyn without this split- you're clever enough for something like that! And your family should have recognized that and stopped you!" He cried, making my head spin from frustration.

"Are you not listening?! I wanted to split! I may not have needed you but I sure as hell missed you and preferred my life with you in it to share with! And you are such a hypocrite right now! You judge me for getting rid of this part of myself, but you still haven't told me this 'dark past' of yours that you hate so much! You're allowed to cut that part of your life out, but I can't do the same?!" I yelled, stalking towards him, my heart boiling with anger.

"And don't you ever yell at my stepdaughter. She was there for me when I needed it, and it wasn't her choice to do the split, it was mine and she supported me while I was mourning. Nobody is to blame but me, so you just keep your opinions to yourself." I snarled, my annoyance growing immensely as I thought of their conflict.

"Not all of us want to burden everyone with their terrible problems! I keep them to myself to deal with on my own!" He yelled, making my eyes well up with hurt tears of betrayal. The look I gave him clearly reminded him of that and I saw his expression soften.

"I'm a burden?" I asked while choking up, but he immediately rushed in front of me and cupped my face. "No! Regina no!"

"Don't touch me." I wept, pulling away from him, cursing my worst self for splitting us like this.

"Robin, I did what I had to do. I ruined my family because I gave in and decided to be selfish. But in my eyes it got us our daughter, no matter what you think she is the reason why we have Evelyn. And my burden is the reason why I get to rock my perfect little baby to sleep every night. I am sorry that I killed Marian, believe me I hate myself for it, and I'm sorry that I am hurting you, but believe me this has been hurting me more. Do you think I enjoyed watching that thing taunt my daughter into torturing her rapist? Or watch her push her so far into the darkness that she tried to take her own life?!" I demanded, unable to keep my voice firm as I cried, pushing my husband away from me.