Forbidden Fling

chapter 19

📖 Forbidden Fling: Chapter 19 (Expanded)

Aurora opened her eyes to harsh white lights.

The steady beep of a heart monitor echoed in the room, the sterile scent of antiseptic clinging to the air, the sheets crisp and scratchy against her skin.

Hospital.

She tried to sit up, but pain lanced through her ribs, making her gasp.

Memories flooded back in broken flashes:

Liam’s face, twisted with rage.

Marcus’s fists, bloodied and relentless.

Ben’s voice, shouting her name.

The flashing lights of police cars.

The cold concrete beneath her knees as she screamed.

She pressed her hand to her forehead, her breath shaking.

“Hey.”

She looked up sharply.

Ben was sitting in the corner of the room, dark circles under his eyes, his hair a mess, his clothes wrinkled as if he hadn’t moved in days.

His face softened when their eyes met.

“You’re awake,” he whispered, relief flooding his features as he stood, moving to her bedside.

Aurora’s throat tightened. “Ben…”

“You’re safe now,” he said, taking her hand gently, careful not to hurt her. “Liam’s in custody. They’re pressing charges. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

She closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks.

Safe.

Why did it feel like she would never truly be safe?

Ben sat with her, talking softly about nothing—weather, the news, the flowers in the vase by her bed that she hadn’t noticed.

But Aurora barely heard him, her mind drifting, caught in the shadows of everything that had happened.

Every time the door opened, her heart leapt in fear, expecting Liam to step through, smirking, telling her she belonged to him.

But it wasn’t Liam.

It was Marcus.

He stepped into the room, dressed in dark jeans and a black sweater, his eyes shadowed with exhaustion but brightening when they found her.

Ben stood, tension crackling in the air as he positioned himself between Marcus and the bed.

“You’re not welcome here,” Ben snapped.

Marcus’s jaw tightened, but he kept his eyes on Aurora. “We need to talk.”

“She doesn’t need you,” Ben said, his voice low, controlled. “You’ve done enough.”

Aurora’s fingers tightened on the blanket, her breath catching.

“Ben, it’s okay,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

Ben turned to her, his eyes searching hers. “Aurora—”

“Please,” she said, shaking her head. “Just give us a minute.”

Ben’s jaw worked, but he stepped back, moving to the corner of the room, his arms crossed, his eyes locked on Marcus.

Marcus moved closer, pulling a chair to her bedside, sitting down heavily.

His eyes searched her face, taking in the bruises, the bandage on her arm, the IV in her hand.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice rough.

Aurora blinked, surprised.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you from him,” Marcus continued, his hands clenching on his knees. “I’m sorry I let you leave, that I didn’t find you sooner.”

Tears welled in her eyes, her lip trembling. “Marcus, this isn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it is,” he said, leaning forward, his eyes burning into hers. “I promised you I would keep you safe. I promised you I would take care of you. And I failed.”

She shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. “You can’t control everything, Marcus.”

“I can control this,” he said, his voice fierce. “I can keep you safe now. Come with me. Let me take you away from all of this.”

She swallowed hard, her heart twisting painfully.

“Marcus…”

He reached for her hand, but she pulled it back, clutching it to her chest.

“I can’t,” she whispered.

“Why?” he demanded, his voice cracking. “You know I love you.”

She closed her eyes, the words tearing at her.

“That’s the problem,” she whispered. “You love me, but you don’t let me be me. You love me, but you want to own me.”

Marcus froze, his eyes going dark, his jaw clenching.

“I don’t want to own you,” he said, his voice low. “I just want you to be safe. To be mine.”

She looked at him, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t be yours if I’m not even mine.”

Silence filled the room, heavy and suffocating.

Marcus stood, his eyes locking with hers one last time. “I’ll wait for you, Aurora. However long it takes.”

Then he turned and walked out of the room, the door closing softly behind him.

Aurora’s shoulders shook as she sobbed, pressing her hands to her face.

Ben moved to her side, pulling her into a gentle hug, holding her as she cried.

“You don’t have to decide right now,” he whispered, his hand stroking her hair. “You don’t have to be anything for anyone. Just be Aurora. Just breathe.”

She clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt, her body trembling.

She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring.

She didn’t know who she was supposed to be.

But for now, she was alive.

And that would have to be enough.