Reborn: I’ll Save This Doomed Marriage

Cruel Twist of Fate

I awoke to Edward’s worried voice. He was talking to Henry. I shook my head as I tried to sit up. My head splitting every time I tried.

“Lie down, you’re not well.” his face looked grave.

“I’m fine. Really, I am.” I tried to sit up again, this time Edward helped me sit up. He sat beside me as his hand traveled to my swollen stomach. I didn’t know what had happened to me, other than these vivid daydreams that plagued me.

“We found you unconscious in the hallway. What happened?” Edward looked at me worriedly. I didn’t understand what else happened but I understood the message I had received. I looked around the room before noticing all of the lingering servants.

“Edward, I wish to speak to you alone.” My voice was soft, the vibrations from my voice tickling his ear.

He stared at me intently, his eyes unwavering. They were solely focused on mine.

“You were…right. To a point.” I finally choked out.

I hated to admit that Edward had been right about my first born. I didn’t want to believe that Octavian was controlling him. That he would be the same, maybe even more blood-thirsty. I lowered my eyes, a sigh escaping my lips before I felt Edward’s covering mine.

His lips were warm, they covered and traced over mine as if that was holding him to the earth. A lone tear slipped out of my eye as I broke our sweet, loving kiss.

His hand caressed my face, “I didn’t want to be right angel.” His face seemed stricken with grief. He knew how much I had loved him. How much I had hoped he would stay with me. I was his mother!

I deserved to raise him! I deserved to be by his side. And yet I felt selfish. At least if I was there, he would have been protected. He would’ve been safe with me.

I regretted not taking him and running sooner. I only knew what to expect from Octavian as a father. I was the only one who saw deep into his soul. And I found nothing. He kept nothing but hatred and obsession in his heart, that was what clouded his mind. I hated this feeling of guilt that was always resting in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t realize how much I had been avoiding it.

I had always pushed it aside, since I had to care for Christopher, and I could never let him see that side of me. Never in my life will that boy see me weeping alone in the corner. Feeling sorry for myself, ha, I am a strong woman.

I felt a sense of confidence radiate through my body and mind. I hadn’t realized how broken I had been all along. How I was strong enough to pull myself together to raise him. Of course with Henry’s help. I could’ve never done this without Henry. I owed that man my life.

I leaned back on the bed, my eyes fluttering open and closed.

I saw my lovely field of flowers that sprouted every spring. It was what I looked forward too the most. I heard Christopher’s laugh ring out in the distance.

The sound of his enchanting laugh echoing through my ears, I could feel and breathe in the fresh air. I closed my eyes, picturing him running through the flowers as I chased after him.

The simplest of days, engraved into my memory. I laid there, a grin painted on my face as I slipped into unconsciousness.

Edward POV:

Something was wrong with her, we could all see it. The way she looked like she was about to die in my arms, as she slipped into a coma again, she didn’t look okay. My thoughts wandered to the baby as well, I didn’t know what to make of all this. What was she even thinking about that made her smile so big?

It feels to me as if she had been having her last few moments of clarity. Although we were King and Queen of the Southern Isles now, the plague had driven away all of the doctors. I paced outside the door, trying to let her have her rest when Henry walked over to me.

“I wish to see Jade.” His voice was calm, but his face screamed at me in hatred.

“She is not well and is resting.” I stood in front. I wouldn’t let him see my wife. He had no claim over her, even if they didn’t live and raise my first born together. I couldn’t help what had happened to me.

I knew that Jade had accepted it as fate, but he was only seen as a threat to me. I wished that Jade only knew how much I loved her, how much I agonized over not coming back to the house. How much I missed both of them. How I wondered every day after waiting month after month our what child would be.

“I don’t care, I wish to say a few words.” He stepped closer. “I would never harm her, physically or mentally.” He said matter of factly.

He wouldn’t know the full extent of what she has been through. Yet I felt guilty for all of this. This was all my fault, the kidnapping, the separation, going abroad. It was all a mistake. One horrendous mistake that I could’ve avoided had I just grabbed the child.

Who could’ve imagined the cruel twist of fate, that started the turn of events we were facing. I couldn’t help but think had I done everything I was supposed to, my father would be spreading equality through the land. Not Octavian’s empire that trampled on my territory and set it ablaze.

I could’ve avoided all of this, had I just returned Jade. I could’ve returned her, she could have had a better life with Octavian than she ever could with me. Even for what he put her through, many Emperors have concubines. It wouldn’t be anything new. I understood how she felt about it, and how I would never do such sort of thing, but it was normal for marriages such as hers.

I had known her for a while and had grown quite fond of her. Her chocolate brown hair that cascaded down her shoulders, and her deep chocolate eyes that matched. I knew at first sight I was hooked. I was impressed by how long she had held up. She refused to answer any of my questions, and sat in isolation alone for days. She was invincible, and that’s how I knew she would be safer with Octavian. She could put up with that, for she can put up with that. The deathly silence, trapped in your own prison for days on end. All without making a sound.

I had never asked her about her time in there; for fear of bringing back past memories that would be best left buried. I never commanded it, and even if I threatened it, I would never follow up on my promise. This woman was my ultimate weakness, and for the shortest amount of time, I thought Octavian would rescue his prize jewel.

Everyone knew in the kingdom how fond Octavian was with his new wife. She was protected under sacred law, and she could not be touched. The empire loved her, and I had heard stories of how well-poised and elegant she was. Only through stories of her could I tell that she was an intelligent woman.

She was also gifted as well, and I doubt Henry knew that. I couldn’t have him influencing the future. She may have seen visions, but I was not letting her make Henry my son’s guardian. Christopher was my son, and therefore my responsibility.

“I won’t let you pass, Henry.”

“You will,” he raised his voice at me.

“You wish to visit a married woman?”

“She may be married, but don’t forget I raised a child with her!”

“My child! My child Henry. He already rejects me because of something that was out of my control. I won’t have him reject me because his mother is sick too.” I stepped closer to him.

He huffed as he angrily stormed away.