"You stink."

William tore his gaze away from the heart monitor that beeped steadily- the only proof that Ella was still alive- and the slow rise of her chest. The oxygen mask fogged with each breath she took,yet her face remained vulnerable and serene. It was as if she was sleeping, yet he knew better.

The constant drip drip of the IV passed into her left wrist had become a thing to familiar to his ears. The smell of disinfectant was becoming a thing of familiarity. He was already accustomed to the hustle and bristle of nurses and doctors, who came to constantly check on Ella and change her drip each time it finished. William knew that this was the fourth drip she was receiving.

He knew all that because he'd been beside Ella for three days now.

Three days with no movement, none whatsoever, from her.

Within those days his parents had visited,neither of them acknowledged his presence. Kaden and Cassie visited everyday,making sure to stay out of his way during their visits. But none of it bothered him.

He deserved the silent treatment and scorn he was getting. He'd not only hurt the only person he loved the most,but he'd taken what she also loved from her. William punished himself.

Oh,yes he did.

Ever since he arrived at the hospital three days ago, he hadn't left Ella's side except to use the bathroom that was in her room. He was still wearing the same clothes and hadn't had anything to eat or drink. It was not much of all punishment, considering what he put Ella through,but William was determined to keep at it until she was awake.

Then he would ask for her forgiveness everyday until she forgave him- if she ever would. And again William was determined to beg until she did. Even if that was the last thing he'd do.

He turned in time to see Kaden push away from the white door frame. Kaden stepped inside before shutting the door behind him. Then he leaned against it with his hands buried in his pockets and legs crossed at the ankle.

William shrugged in answer before turning his gaze back to Ella's still form. "It doesn't matter." He croaked out.

Kaden sighed as he came to stand at the other side of the bed. "You have to eat and shower."

"No."

"Stop being so damned stubborn." He frowned. "It's enough that we're all worried about Ella. I don't want to be worried about you too."

"You don't understand." William said. "Ella needs me."

"Yeah?" Kaden's lips drew back into a sneer. "The same way she needed you all those weeks of her pregnancy and you weren't there for her."

"I know!" He yelled. "Which is why I'm trying to make amends. Do you think I am happy to see her this way? Huh? What if it was Cassie in her place, would you be eat and get any rest?"

In a flash,Kaden circled the bed to where William was sitting and grabbed him by the collar. He drew him to his feet his hazel eyes flashed dangerously. "Don't you dare bring my wife into this! I am no fucking coward like you." He spat through gritted teeth.

"When I found out Cass was pregnant I maned up and took responsibilities. I did not cower away or drink alcohol." His grip tightened on William's collar and pulled him close until their noses were almost touching. "Nor did I fuck a whore!"

William remained silent with his arms dangling by his side.

"I should let you fucking die in misery. But Ella needs you." He released him and stepped back. "She needs you alive and strong. Not weak and dead. And to accomplish that you have to eat and take a bath."

William scratched his stubbled jaw. "But I cannot leave her. I want to be here when she opens her eyes."

"And you think she'd be happy to see you after what you put her through?"

"No." He reached out to take her hand in his. "No. But I'll beg for her forgiveness and do anything to make her forgive me."

Kaden eyed him for a long time before nodding. "You still have a long way to go. But first go home and rest. I'll stay with her until mom comes over."

William nodded before leaning down to kiss her forehead. He placed another kiss on the back of her hand before walking out of the room trying to blink back his tears of shame and pain. Even as he drove all the way to his parents house, he couldn't stop the self-loathing thoughts that over him.

He was a worthless scum who deserved no happiness in his life. Ella was better off with someone than him. Someone who was willing to give her happiness and not pain. And even though he hurt her all those times, she loved him. She loved him without question and he took it for granted.

Pulling to a stop on the cobbled stone driveway, William got out of the car and tossed the keys to the driver who took them with a nod of greeting. William ignored him and started up the steps to the door of the maintenance. Just as he reached for the knob the door swung open. His mother stood there glaring and him.

"You're not welcomed here." Her words had a ring of finality to it. "You behaved shamefully that I am even ashamed to call you my son."

"Mom, I'm sorry. You have no idea-"

Arabella held a hand up to silence him. "There's nothing to justify what you did. Do you know how many times Ella called and cried each time you ignore her call? Do you have any idea about how many times she cried when you came home drunk or fought with her?"

"Do you even know how sad she was when you stopped sleeping in the same room with her?" Cassie appeared behind his mother. Canishia was in her arms and was busy suckling her dummy.

"I am so disappointed in you, William." Steve came to stand beside Arabella. "During the forty-nine years your mother have been together, I have never took another woman to bed. Even the times we fought, I never touched liquor nor did I neglect her or my children. But you..." He shook his head. "You're not welcomed here."

Taking in the disappointed and angry looks on their faces,William knew immediately that he still had a long way to go for them to forgive him. So he fell to his knees before them with his head bowed and tears streaming down his face.

"Please forgive me." He said. "I was stupid and insecure. I let my fears take the best of me and didn't realize it until it was almost too late. But I promise to make things right."

Arabella took a deep shaky breath. "Sorry does not cover what you did. Just fix it or so help me,I will kill you with my bare hands." With that she spun and walked into the house.

"You heard your mother. Nothing must happen to Ella,or else..." He shook his head before going after his wife.

Cassie moved forward until she was kneeling in front if him. "Even though I am disappointed in you for hurting Ella, I still love you as my best friend. And as your best friend,I'm asking you to eat and rest for a bit. You're not helping by being weak. When Ella wakes up, she'll need you more than ever.

"And as Ella's sister, I am giving you the last chance to make things right with her. And don't you ever dare hurt her again or you'll regret it."

William nodded as he swiped the back of his hand across his face. "Do you think she'll ever forgive me?"

"Yes." Cassie smiled. "It might take some time for her to,but she'll forgive you because she loves you so much it hurts."

He nodded as he as Cassie rose to their feet. "Thank you,Cassie."

"I do not forgive you yet." She shook her head. "At least not until Ella does."

"I know."

"Good. Now go in and take a bath. I'll have Grail prepare something for you. And you might want to check on the children too. They've been asking about Ella."

William noticed that Cassie didn't mention the children asking about him and it made him sad. He hurt his children too. They must think him to be monster.

God!

As he followed Cassie inside,his determination to make everything right tripled. And he promised himself not to stop until he accomplished it.