Chapter 6

My life has fallen apart. I didn't think it could get any worse, but then he ripped out what little heart I had left. I thought my luck was turning when he came into the bathroom. My whole body was screaming his name. For the first time, I realized how powerful the mate bond is. Nothing excited me more, at least until I saw the look on his face.

The way he yelled at me and ordered me to leave his territory will be etched in my memory forever. But for my father to throw me out into the rain and force me to watch my son being cared for through a window, out of my reach, because I no longer deserve humane treatment from my own family... that is simply too much to bear.

I thought I could do it. I thought I was stronger. But everyone eventually breaks. Everyone has a breaking point, and I've reached mine. Suddenly, everything that weighs me down becomes too heavy, and I collapse. At least no one can see me crying in the shower. That makes the pain I feel disappear, the pain that brings me to my knees.

Suddenly, it becomes surprisingly clear to me how alone I really am.

The loneliness is deafening and cold: no one to tell you everything will be alright, no one to help you pull yourself together, no conversation. I've lost my sense of self. Now I'm nobody, just a mother, just another criminal everyone should despise, even though I'm not one, my partner is. But he wasn't even able to recognize me. I realize how small and insignificant I am to everyone, except my son.

Hearing a knock at the door, I jerk my head up from my knees. I stand up quickly, turn off the tap, and grab a towel.

"Elara, darling, open the door for me."

"Sorry, just a moment," I reply, checking my appearance before putting a shirt over the towel to try and look presentable.

I open the door and find Maura Bellamy standing there with a tray in her hands and two plates on it.

"I thought I'd come see you here. Time must have flown by for you." I quickly take it from her and she comes in and heads to the small table.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I hadn't realized how much time had passed," I say, glancing at the old analog clock hanging on the wall. Had I really been in the shower that long?

"It's okay, honey. I could tell you were upset, so I thought I'd come and listen," she says, and I frown at her words. She points behind me, toward the bathroom.

"Maura Bellamy: That vent is right above my kitchen. It's rattling in the pipes. I keep wanting to call someone to fix it, but nobody wants to help a fucking criminal," she says with a sad smile. I blushed and touched my cheeks.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize; I hope I didn't bother you," I said. She gestured for me to leave.

"You forget that I was where you are now. I'd have put you in another room, but this one is the nicest and most functional."

"The place is collapsing." Milo starts to get restless and I move to get up, but Maura Bellamy beats me to it.

"Go put on your pajamas; I'll watch him. Right, sweetheart?" Yes, I love baby hugs —she says, smiling brightly as she hugs him.

"Go get dressed and then we'll talk," she says, and I nod as I quickly rummage through my bag and grab some clothes before rushing to the bathroom. I get dressed quickly and come out with my hair wrapped in a towel.

"He's such a good boy," she tells him. Eventually, he falls asleep and she puts him back to bed.

"So what's upset you? Why are you crying?"