The Wound That Does Not Bleed
863 Words
*(Gloria's Story)*
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I couldn't stop myself from standing there, watching what was happening.
I saw him carry her in his arms, as if she was the most precious thing in the world to him.
Helen was unconscious, her head leaning on his shoulder, and his eyes were filled with fear and concern.
My heart ached seeing him like this, but part of me thought: *"She's his first love... Can I ever take her place?"*
*"Nothing will change, Gloria, right?"*
I whispered to myself, while my eyes quietly followed them.
I saw how he rushed her through the woods to the hospital.
He never left her for a moment, his gaze filled with fear... concern... maybe even regret.
We arrived at the hospital, and he quickly carried her inside.
I stood there, watching closely.
Every time I looked at them, I felt something strange inside me: a part of me sympathized with Helen... I understood why he was rushing to her like that, how she was part of his past, and how his heart was still tied to her.
*"He loves me, Gloria."*
I told myself these words, trying to hold on to them like a lifeline.
I felt jealous... yes, there was a tinge of pain in my heart... but I didn’t let it show.
I didn’t allow myself to be weak in front of him.
I kept watching them, feeling that heaviness in my chest.
But I held on to that thought: *"He loves me, Gloria."*
And I kept it within, because I believed it... despite everything.
Even though there was something that made me shiver with sorrow, I decided I wouldn't let a fleeting feeling of jealousy control my emotions.
I knew my place in his heart, and I knew I wouldn’t just be a substitute for her.
But that feeling didn’t go away completely... it was like a small wound, not bleeding, but still hurting.
For days, I stayed away.
And every time I saw Arnold caring for Helen, the pain grew.
But it also reminded me of one thing: in the end, he chose me.
He chose me when he came back to me, when he promised me he'd be mine forever.
The third day had passed, and Arnold still hadn’t left the hospital.
I saw him every day, sitting beside *Helen’s* bed, his face pale, his eyes tired, refusing to eat or rest.
I couldn't stay away any longer.
I prepared a simple meal with my own hands and headed to the hospital in the morning.
When I entered the room, I found him in the same position, like a statue of grief and sorrow.
I approached him quietly.
*"Arnold... you have to eat,"*
I whispered gently, placing the bag of food in front of him.
He shook his head without even looking at me.
*"I don't want to..."*
But I didn’t give up.
I sat beside him, took his hand, and placed the spoon in it.
*"If you don’t eat... you won’t be strong when Helen needs you, right?"*
I said, looking directly into his eyes.
He hesitated for a moment... then finally gave in and started eating slowly.
I couldn’t stop the pang of jealousy inside me.
But I buried it deep in my heart.
I told myself:
*"Gloria... he's just scared for her. He loves you... he loves you."*
I stayed by his side, comforting him in silence, until that moment came...
Helen stirred weakly on the bed.
Arnold’s eyes widened, and he immediately stood up by her side.
*"Helen!"*
He spoke her name like a man retrieving his soul from endless darkness.
With a broken, raspy voice, she whispered:
*"Arnold... I came back for you..."*
My heart clenched painfully.
I watched silently, a small, cracked smile on my face.
*"I couldn't live away from you. I left Jack... I left the pack... for you."*
Her voice was shattered, carrying the weight of all the pain and struggle she had endured.
*"A rogue wolf attacked me on the way... I barely escaped... but I made it here."*
I saw the tears glitter in Arnold’s eyes under the dim light.
He held her hand as if she were a precious treasure he had found again.
I knew I needed to leave the room.
But my heart... it was breaking.
I quietly stepped out, closing the door behind me, whispering to myself:
*"Everything will be okay... it has to be okay."*
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*(Arnold’s POV)*
When Helen opened her eyes and called my name...
The world stood still.
She was weak, broken — but she came back to me.
I couldn't think about anything else.
I didn’t see Gloria leaving, I didn’t feel anything except the overwhelming need to protect Helen.
I embraced her, whispered that I was here, that nothing would ever hurt her again.
But deep inside... there was a small, quiet voice...
Gloria’s voice.
The voice of a promise I had made.
The voice of a warmth that was unlike anything else.
Yet now... I was lost.
Torn between a past that had come back seeking a second chance... and a future that was starting to bloom with Gloria.
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✨ *End of Chapter
- Writer
