Bella's POV:

When the evening arrived, Nick brought two police officers to my room. Gabriel and I had discussed what we need to do to protect ourselves and our families.

"Hello, Bella Dias. I'm officer Elton Warren and this is my partner Johnson Hike," the officer said extending his hand.

I shook his hand while Gabriel stood beside me.

"I hope you're doing okay now," he said.

"I'm much better," I told him.

"We will just set up the recording device and start the process," he said.

His partner began to set up the equipment. I glanced at Gabriel and he lightly squeezed my hand.

"All done. How about we start?" The officer asked.

"Sure," I mumbled.

"Gabriel, can you excuse us?" The officer asked him.

"Can he stay?" I asked him.

"I'm afraid not," he said with a polite smile.

Gabriel placed a kiss on my forehead and left the room.

"So you disappeared from the summer camp on the evening of nineteen June. What happened that night?"

"Gabriel and I were doing a mystery hunt. We got in a fight and I left the forest. I called Nate Parker, he is my friend and asked him to come to pick me up from the camp," I told him.

"Why did you ask him to pick you up?"

"I was angry at Gabriel. I thought he was cheating on me so I wanted to escape from the camp," I explained.

"How long you and Gabriel have been dating?" He asked.

"We have been in a long-distance relationship for three years then he came to the USA for the first for summer camp. When we found out that we were both attending the same summer camp we were very excited. However, things took a bad turn when I assumed he was cheating. I called Nate and he came to pick me up when Gabriel appeared. He thought I was cheating on him with Nate. Gabriel and Nate got in a fight. Gabriel fainted and we took him with us to Nate's house." I told him.

"Then what were you doing at Mr. Robertson's house?"

"Tristan and Nate are best friends. They live together for years, everyone knows that."

"Okay, continue,"

"Gabriel woke up and Nate told him that he can leave but he insisted on meeting me. I was quite angry with him because first, he was cheating on me, second, he accused me of cheating on him and then he fought with my best friend. I refused to meet him and he refused to leave until I talk to him. Meanwhile, Nate and Tristan tried to make us both understand that we needed to make amends or break things off before the summer camp files a missing report. Unfortunately, I got very pneumonia and my ankle caught the infection."

I showed him a healed ankle which had the mark.

"What happened to your ankle?"

"When we were doing the mystery hunt in the forest there was a piece of glass that I didn't see and cut myself with it."

"Did you get it checked?"

"Yes, Nate called a doctor Johnathan. He gave me the antibiotics to heal it and treat my pneumonia," I told the police officer.

The police officer nodded.

"I was vulnerable and Nate didn't want to give me stress so he asked Gabriel to leave. Gabriel has some anger issues so he fought with Nate once again. Nate got angry and made the guards take him and leave him at his house."

"When did you find out Nate forced Gabriel to leave?"

"I was there, watching and listening to everything from my room," I told him.

"Did Nate and Tristan keep you in their house by force?"

"No, I didn't want to leave their house. I was scared about how my parents would react when they will find out that I left an important summer camp because I had a fight with my boyfriend."

I sniffed. The officer gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Then why did Gabriel file report that you have been kidnapped and he knows the kidnappers?"

"Because he was jealous of Nate. He didn't let him meet me so he thought Nate was keeping me there by force."

"So you're saying you were not kidnapped?" The police officer asked.

"Absolutely not. I was staying at my friend's house and that was all," I told him.

"Why did Tristan's one of the guards shot you?" The officer asked.

"He didn't come to shot me. He was pointing the gun at Gabriel. I realized how much I loved him and stepped in front of him."

"Why did that man wanted to shot Gabriel?"

"Because Gabriel shot his brother on the leg in self-defense," I told him.

"That's all you want to share?"

"Yes," I told him.

"How's your relationship with Gabriel?"

"Things get complicated sometimes and we get into small arguments but we love each other a lot," I told the police officer.

He indicated to his partner who turned off the camera, saving the video recording.

"Thank you for your statement," the police officer said.

"You're welcome," I replied.

"Let's go Johnathan," the officer Elton said.

His partner collected the things and walked out of the room. The officer turned and glared at me.

"You know that you are making a mistake," he said.

I knew what he meant but I pretended not to know anything.

"I don't what you are talking about?"

Gabriel entered the room and glared at the officer.

"You are going to regret it. He is a dangerous man," the police officer said.

"They're the most humble people that I know, I am going to be fine officer," I told him with a pleasant smile.

He left the room and I sighed.

"What happened?" Gabriel asked in concerned.

"I told him everything that Nate said," I whispered.

"They are calling me to the police station tomorrow for the statement," he told me.

"I hope everything goes smoothly," I said holding his hand.

****
After dinner and taking my medicine, I was waiting for sleep to come while Gabriel was just with at the chair holding my hand.

"I hate hospital," I whispered.

Gabriel glanced at me and gave me a sad smile.

"Me too," he replied.

"I can't sleep," I told him.

"Why? Should I call Nick?" He asked in concern, getting up from the chair and hovering above my face.

I stared at his face in awe.

"Have I ever told you how handsome you are?" I asked him.

He grinned at my questions.

"I think medicines are working and you will fall asleep soon," Gabriel said.

"You're handsome. I love your eyes, they're brown with the hint of honey color," I told him.

His eyes fell on my lips and then he looked at my face.

"You're going to kill me, you know," he whispered into my ear, biting my earlobe.

I shuddered at the pleasurable feeling of his warm mouth on my skin.

"H...how?" I stuttered.

"Despite the fact that you haven't showered for four days and you are bound to this hospital bed, you look absolutely gorgeous. And I am having a hard time controlling myself from making love to you," he told me staring straight into my eyes.

His gaze made my legs jello.

"When will I get released?" I asked with the groan.

He laughed at my question.

"You still need to stay in the hospital for two weeks and three days. Don't worry I am counting," he said with the wink.

"Can I get a good night kiss?" I asked him.

He gave me an amused smile and leaned closer when the door opened.

He pulled away from me, looking at the door.

There stood my mom with tearful eyes. I tried to sit up and Gabriel helped me.

My mom walked to me and took me in her arms. Gabriel Gabe is the space and sat down on the couch at the far corner.

I was so happy that she was finally here. My heart was drumming inside my chest.

"Mom, how are you? Where's Mike and Lily?" I asked her in concern.

"I'm fine, Bella. Mike and Lily miss you," My mom said with the small watery smile, stroking my face.

"Mom, don't cry. I know you are in trouble because of me. If only I had canceled the plan of attending that summer camp it wouldn't have happened," I said, holding her hand.

"No, honey, don't say that. I'm not trouble," she said.

"Dad didn't hurt you?" I asked her confused.

"No, he didn't, Bella. He was happy that you are finally gone," my mom said.

"Really?" I asked her with the pang of hurt. "I never understood why he hates me so much."

She stiffened and wiped her tears off.

"I'm going to tell you something," she said.

I nodded my head but my heart was already dropping in my stomach. I had this feeling that she was going to tell me some bad news.

"You're not my daughter," she said.

I couldn't believe her. I thought she was joking so I chuckled.

"Mom, it's a very bad joke," I told her snuggling to her.

She patted my back lovingly, hugging me.

"I'm so sorry, my angel. You were only two days old when your dad placed you in my arms," she said and I pulled away from her in surprise.

"What are you...saying?" I asked her.

"Bella, your mother was someone who worked on streets. I don't who she is and where she is. After three months of marriage, your father gave me to you. He told me that he didn't want you but your mother forcefully left you with him. I brought you up like you were my own. I fell in love with your smile, your beautiful eyes, and your button nose," she said flicking my nose.

I couldn't speak to her. I just stared at her in disbelief.

"He hated you and always kept an eye on you because he thought you were like your mother. I always did my best to protect you. I would've left him and took you with me that day if I hadn't gotten the results of my pregnancy. I just couldn't leave him that day and his eyes obsession to make sure you don't turn out as your mother intensified," she said placing a hand above mine.

"Your father doesn't need you to come back home. He believes that you will damage the young minds of your siblings and teach them to disrespect him," she told me.

I opened my mouth but couldn't speak.

"It's time for you to move forward with your life. Your dad doesn't hate me, Mike, and Lily. I used to fight with him for you and he would get angry. Since you have gone, he has changed. He is taking good care of them, paying the house rent on time, and taking us out on dinners. He is becoming a man that I married," she said with the smile on her lips.

The first time, I saw a genuine smile on her face.

"You're going to be eighteen tomorrow night. Most girls your age move out at this age, Bella. You need to start your life without me and your siblings. You need to focus on your education and show your dad that you are nothing like your mother," she said.

"Mom....please," I pleaded to her to take her words back. My eyes were blurring with unshed tears.

She stood up from the bed and squeezed my forearm. "Goodbye, Bella. I am still your mom, but I am just not your mother."

"Mom! Mom!" I yelled at her but she didn't stop and left the hospital room.

I tried to get up when Gabriel wrapped his around my torsos, holding me from sitting up. He pressed the button to call the nurse.

"Please, call doctor Nick Emerson," he told the nurse while rubbing my back.

I sobbed in his chest still attempting to untangle myself from his tight grip and go after my mother.

"Nick, can we give something to calm her down? Any sedatives?" He asked Nick.

"I want to go after my mom, Gabriel. Please, let me go," I begged him.

He cupped my face and said, "Shh...calm down. Take deep breaths, my love."

"I want...to...stop here. She's leaving," I said sobbing and glancing at the door.

"Everything is going to be fine. Look at me," he said.

I looked at him and suddenly I felt a pain in my arm like someone had pinched me. I looked at my left arm to find Nick injecting something.

My body began to calm down instantly. I felt vulnerable and tired. Gabriel placed my head on the pillow, stroking my face.

I stared at him while tears dropped from my eyes.

"Everything is going to be fine. I'm here with you," he said.

I closed my eyes, falling asleep with my mom's words ringing in my head.

___________________________________

Hello, lovelies!

I hope you're enjoying this story so far.

It's an emotional roller coaster, isn't it?

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Published: Nov-2017