The bright sunlight penetrating the inside of the room woke me up out of my peaceful slumber. I groaned as I sat up weakly and looked around. I frowned as I noticed that Syn wasn't in bed, in his place was a small note and I sighed.

Quickly picking it up, I opened it and read it:

I had to go to Hell for something. I'll be home late. I called Cleo to keep you company and she's downstairs. My card is on the dresser. If you won't buy anything for yourself, buy it for the baby. Have fun, Princess.

With a smile at the caring gesture, I hesitantly got myself out of bed and walked to the bathroom. I took a quick shower and got dressed and walked downstairs. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, Cleo looked up at me from the couch and grinned.

"Hey," I said as I rushed over to her. I practically threw myself onto her as I hugged her and she laughed. "I missed you."

"You saw me yesterday," she said in an amused voice.

"Still," I said as I removed myself from her arms and sat on the couch.

"You kept the baby," she said with a smile.

"I did."

"I'm glad," she said sweetly.

"You wanted me to keep it?"

"I did. But I didn't want to make you sad or anything. It was your decision."

I nodded and sighed as memories of what I almost did yesterday passed my mind.

"Hey," she said as she noticed my frown. "We're going to have fun today, okay?"

"Okay," I said softly.

She clapped her hands and stood up quickly. "I made breakfast."

"You said we were going to have fun, not die," I teased.

She waved her hands in dismissal and smiled at me. "Come on, I've been taking classes."

With a smile, I followed her to the kitchen and sat down on one of the stools. The counter was filled with waffles, eggs and bacon, and various types of fruit. As I looked at it and took in the delicious smell, I felt a small kick from inside my stomach.

Yeah, I'm hungry too sweetie.

"Dig in," Cleo said as she gestured towards the food.

I looked at her nervously as she passed me a fork. She clasped her hands under her chin as she watched me intently. With a sigh, I took a few eggs onto the fork and put them into my mouth.

I was surprised by the amazing taste and my eyes widened. "This is-,"

I was interrupted as I felt bile rise in my throat. Quickly speeding to a nearby restroom, I emptied whatever was in my stomach into the toilet. Cleo ran in after me and held my hair.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I thought it was okay," she said worriedly.

I stood up weakly and flushed the toilet. "No, it was delicious. I don't know why that happened."

"Maybe the baby doesn't like eggs," she suggested.

"Maybe."

I cleaned myself up quickly and walked out with Cleo to the kitchen. I was starving but throwing up was not something on my bucket list.

"You want me to just order something?" Cleo asked.

"No, there's nothing wrong with the food. It's just me, I guess. We'll try again."

Cleo gave me a small smile and nodded as she fixed herself a plate of food. "Tell the baby to let you eat," she teased.

I looked down at my stomach and put my hands over it. "Listen, little girl, I'm hungry. If you love me, you'll accept the food I give you."

Cleo laughed at my words and I shook my head softly. It may have sounded funny but I was dead serious.

I tried again with the eggs and Cleo watched me as I slowly swallowed them. I waited for a few moments and when nothing happened I took another bite. Nothing happened again and I gave Cleo a thumbs up and smiled.

I looked down at my stomach once again and nodded. "I'm glad we have an under-"

My words were cut short when I felt the now-familiar nausea. I held my hand over my mouth and sped to the toilet once again.

Well shit.

After an hour Cleo and I had given up on me trying to eat. We figured out that it wasn't just the eggs, it was anything that I put into my mouth. I was feeling tired, weak, and insanely hungry, but I needed to get out of the house.

We sat in the dark theater and I held stuffed my mouth with popcorn. That seemed to be the only thing I could hold down. I turned to Cleo who was crying as the male lead confessed his love for the girl and I laughed at her. It was obviously coming but she cried anyway. I would've been just as absorbed as she was if I didn't feel like crap.

My phone began buzzing in my pocket and I frowned as I saw Sebastian's contact flash across my phone. AGAIN. His calls have almost become nonstop over the past couple of weeks.

After the ball, I hadn't answered but maybe it wasn't fair to him. With a sigh, I turned to Cleo. "I'll be right back," I said.

She nodded quickly as her eyes remained on the big screen. I walked out of the theater and answered the call. Thankfully the hallway in the cinema was empty and I held my phone to my ear.

"Hello?" I said.

"Queen, I've been trying to reach you," he said.

I let out a breath and shook my head. "I know and I'm sorry I haven't answered your calls but-"

"Can we meet?" He asked. "I heard you're on Earth, I'd love to show you around."

How did he know I was here?

"I don't think that's a good idea, Sebastian," I said softly.

"Why not? We could hang out as friends," he said.

"We can't be friends."

"Because of Syn, right?" He asked. "There's no need to be scared Queen, I'm going to take care of it."

"What are you talking about?" I asked in confusion.

"I don't know who's listening, but I can tell you in person. Come with me."

With a frustrated sigh, I ran my hands through my hair and shook my head. "No."

"Come with me!" His voice boomed into the phone. "Or so help me God-"

I quickly hung up my phone and muted it as I put it into my pocket. I didn't know what Sebastian was rambling on about, but he sounded insane. Syn already told me he was uncomfortable with our friendship, so I needed to let it go. He was being controlling and weird anyway so I didn't see a point in fighting for anything.

I headed back into the dark theater and returned to my seat with a sigh. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah." I smiled, grabbing the candy on the armrest. "Everything is fine."

꧁꧂

I yawned as Cleo pulled into the driveway. After the movie, we watched another one and since neither of us were ready to go home, we went out to dinner. I could barely stomach anything besides French fries, so I practically absorbed two trays of it.

"Here we are," Cleo sang as she parked. "I'm sorry I kept you out so late."

"It's only nine." I laughed.

"Sure, but you're a mom now. Seven is like your bedtime, right?" She teased.

"Shut up." I scoffed. I reached over to give her a tight hug and she wrapped her arms around me.

"Call me if anything, girl," she said. I nodded, telling her I would, and pulled away to grab all of my things from the backseat. "Hmm, is Syn home?"

"He should be," I said. "Why?"

"The house looks dark is all. Maybe he's sleeping."

"Either that or he's not back yet."

"Do you want me to check with you?" She asked. "If he's not here I can stay until-"

"Cleo," I interjected. "I appreciate you. And I really appreciate you hanging out with me today, but you and I both know you want to go home and get a train ran on you."

"Well..." She smiled as she tucked her blue hair behind her ear.

"Go home." I shoved her. "Call me when you get there, okay?" I opened the car door to leave and closed it behind me before leaning into the window. "Love you."

"Love you too bitch!" She yelled over the engine as she started the car. "Go inside."

I scurried past the gravel on the floor and up the dark steps to the house. My hand rummaged through my purse for the keys when I saw the door slightly ajar. Maybe he did come home early.

I opened the door as Cleo drove away and removed my shoes. "Syn," I called. When I heard no response, I frowned and walked deeper into the house. I could hear the pads of my feet hitting the cool marble floor and I headed up the steps tiredly.

I felt a kick in my stomach and giggled slightly as I reached the second floor. "Do you ever sleep?" I whispered, rubbing my aching belly. I still wasn't showing but I was definitely feeling everything. My lower back was in constant pain and I didn't even want to get started on my boobs. All I knew was that if I was offered an opportunity to get them surgically removed, I would have.

I turned the corner to head to the room but jumped when I heard the front door slam shut. "Syn?" I called once again as I turned around. I bounced back down the stairs to the first floor excited to see him after so long, but when I was greeted with an empty corridor, an eerie shiver ran down my spine. "If you're messing around this isn't funny."

"Why would I mess with you?" My head snapped towards the living room to see Sebastian standing beside the coffee table. He was dressed in all black; his hair ruffled beyond recognition from its usual style. "Sorry to scare you. I didn't know if Syn was here or not so I wanted to keep quiet."

"W-what are you doing here?" I gripped the railing of the staircase. "I told you we shouldn't meet."

"I know." He nodded as he walked up to me. "But I couldn't help but feel like Syn was telling you what to say." He took my hands into his before I could step away and I froze. "I'm here to take you away. Grab only your necessities and we'll go. I-"

"What are you talking about?" I pulled my hands away from him and held them clasped together against my chest. His face slightly fell at what I had done, but he quickly replaced it with a smile. A comforting smile that I used to admire was now flashing at me...it was different though. It felt different.

It was more chilling than anything.

"I know about the abuse, Queen," he said. "I know about everything. I'm going to save you."

"Abuse?" I questioned. "I have no idea what you're talking about but you're acting crazy. Please leave."

I wanted him gone for my safety, but also his. I didn't know where Syn was but I'd hate for him to walk in and see me here alone with Sebastian. He'd probably kill him. As out of it as Sebastian was being...he didn't deserve to be hurt.

"I sound crazy?" He asked in a hurt voice. "Have you been listening to yourself lately? I've heard you speak of love with this man. Your mind has been twisted beyond compare, but I can fix it, Queen. I already spoke to a couple of churches in Heaven. We can do another exorcism. We-"

"What?" I whispered in a shaky voice as my heart raced. "Another? What do you- Sebastian, what do you mean another?"

"We need to get out of here before he comes back. " He ran a hand through his hair. I asked him again what he meant but he rambled on about how much danger I was in. "I can pack for you-"

"Sebastian stop!" I snapped. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

He instantly froze at my tone and I stepped back when his eyes found mine again. The concern he had seconds ago was gone and in its place was fury. His jaw was clenched as he took a step toward me and I took one back in return. I didn't know what he would do, but I was getting scared.

I tried to will my body to scrounge up any of my peers to get me out of this, but it was useless. I was too weak.

"I'm trying to help you," he said lowly.

"I don't need your help." I wrapped my arms around myself. "I want you to go, Sebastian. I don't want to see you again."

"You don't want to see me again?" He furrowed his brows, shaking his head. "We love each other. You don't mean that."

"I already told you I don't love you!" I yelled.

"Syn was contro-"

"Syn hasn't done anything to me! Why can't you just come to terms with the fact that I've moved on?! I love him, not-"

His hand wrapped around my throat and he shoved me against the wall roughly. Pain shot across my body at the impact and his string fingers dug into my neck. "Why are you making me do this to you?!" He roared as he jolted my body.

I clawed at his arm as I choked for air and as I opened my mouth to try to breathe, he forced his lips onto mine. By instinct and with a sudden urge to protect myself, I bit his lips as hard as I could. He screamed out and pulled away but within the same second, I felt the palm of his hand connect to my cheek. The sudden slap made my ear ring as pain floated across my face and he immediately let go of me, making me drop to the floor.

"Queen, I'm so sorry." He lowered himself to my side and reached for my cheek. "It was just a reaction, I didn't mean to hurt you. You shouldn't have-"

"Leave!" I screamed as my hand moved to my throat. Tears blurred my vision as I looked at the shell of the man I used to know. All I could think about as he looked down at me worriedly was how right Syn was.

I was too forgiving.

Too trusting...

Because of that, I put myself and the baby in danger.

"Just go!" I screeched as I pushed him away from me. Another flash of anger passed through his eyes again and I flinched thinking he would do something again but instead, he ran a hand through his hair.

"Okay, okay." He nodded. "I'll be back for you, Queen. I'm sorry. You're more far gone than I thought, but I won't give up."

He stood up as I stared down at the floor. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him contemplating touching me again, but when I turned away from him, he stopped. I heard him walk to the door and once he was finally gone, I let it go.

The panic and fear that had been wracking my body came out in sudden waves of tears. Why couldn't the people I knew stay the way they were? Why did everyone have to change? Was my life suddenly going to shit or were they always like this and I was blind?

I remembered instances in the past where Sebastian was a bit controlling, but he never hurt me. Not like this. He didn't even like raising his voice. Was I the thing that made him snap?

A ringing from my purse made me look up at the stairs and I stood up. I winced as I used the wall to stand up and when I steadied myself, I wiped my face. I walked up a couple of steps to get my purse and didn't bother to check the contact before answering my phone.

I sniffled, wiping my nose with the back of my hand before speaking into the phone. "Hello?" I swallowed a breath in an attempt to push down the pain in my throat and my hand drifted to the sensitive parts of my neck that Sebastian hurt.

"Princess," Syn's voice echoed through the phone. "Are you home?"

"Yes."

"Good, I got a notification from the security system and I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Oh."

"You are okay, right?" He questioned slowly.

"Yes, I'm okay," I choked out before holding a hand over my mouth and closing my eyes. I didn't want him to know anything about what happened tonight. It terrified me to think about what Syn would do to Sebastian for this.

"You don't sound okay."

"I'm fine. I'm just really tired."

"I should be home within the hour if you want to wait up-"

"It's okay. Take your time."

"Queen."

"Syn." I forced a laugh and wiped my sweaty palms against my jeans. "I'll see you when you get home, okay? I love you. Stay safe."

"Hmm," he hummed. "I'll see you in a few."

A few? The phone hung up before I could ask for any clarification and my eyes widened. I grabbed my things before rushing up the stairs and into the bedroom to clean myself up as much as possible.

Throwing my things on the bed, I hurried into the bathroom and walked toward the mirror. I moved my hair over my shoulders to get a better view of the damage Sebastian had caused, and when I saw faint purple marks on my skin, nausea built up in my throat.

"Not right now, sweetheart." I sniffled with red puffy eyes before grabbing a hair tie from the drawer beside me. I didn't like make-up for the most part, but tonight it'd have to be my best friend. I grabbed concealer and began covering the marks on my skin as quickly as I could.

When I was satisfied with how my neck looked, I washed my face. My cheeks were still flushed and it obviously looked like I was crying but hopefully Syn would just believe I was tired. I pivoted on my foot to head to the room when the area around me tilted and blurred. I leaned against the wall to steady myself, but blinking did little to help my disoriented state.

Closing my eyes for a long moment, I took deep breaths as my body became heavy. Moments later, I felt my knees sink to the floor and my body land on something cool, and I was sucked into darkness.

꧁꧂

When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the bathroom. I looked around at the sunflower field I had found so much comfort in and I gasped.

How the hell am I here?

I looked at a woman that sat on the swing and I frowned. Usually, I was alone here besides the one time Syn was here. She swayed gently onto the swing and had a faraway look on her features. Stunning wasn't even a word I could use to describe her. She had ethereal features that even made me feel less than in comparison. "Hey!"

The woman looked up at me and grinned as she hopped off the swing and ran to me. She wrapped her arms around me and I frowned. I had no idea who she was-she looked around my age.

When she looked down at me I saw bright green eyes that made my heart stop. "Hi," she said happily.

"Hi," I whispered in return. "Who are you?"

"Umm..." she hummed in confusion as she eyed me.

She may have been confused by what I asked so I rephrased it. "I'm Queen, what's your name?" I'd be lying if I said she didn't intimidate me, she was stunning.

She giggled and shook her head. "I know who you are. And you haven't given me one."