Epilogue......
One month later.....
As I lay in bed, the tears streaming down my face had finally ceased, leaving me with a numbness that was all-encompassing.
I could hear the faint creaking of the door to my bedroom as it opened and closed, but I paid it no mind, my mind still consumed with the overwhelming sadness that had taken over my being.
"Layla?" My father's voice called out to me, and though I heard him, I couldn't bring myself to respond.
My body felt heavy, weighed down by the emotions that had wracked me just moments before. I lay there, unmoving, as my father's footsteps drew closer, the sound of his breathing growing louder as he neared my bedside. I could feel a dip in my bed as he took a seat.
"Since you came back home, Layla, you haven't said a word to me," my father said, his tone laced with concern. "I'm proud of you for doing so well during your doctor's and therapist's appointments. But, as your father, I want to hear from you. Layla, please talk to me," he implored, his voice trembling.
"I know I've hurt you in the past, and I'm sorry for everything, baby girl," he added, his apology genuine. However, the pain I had endured was too much to simply brush aside and forgive him for all the wrongs he had committed.
I couldn't shake the feeling that my father's wife was his top priority, and that he would do anything she asked.
The thought, making me resent him even more. His hand moved through my hair in a comforting gesture, but I knew I couldn't have him in the room when the doctor arrived.
"I hate you," I whispered, feeling the weight of my words in the heavy silence. His hand paused in my hair, and for a moment, I held my breath, uncertain of his response.
"I love you no matter what," he replied quietly before getting up and leaving the room.
I sniffled, wiping away my tears as the door opened once again.
"Layla." My doctor, doctor Grace called out to me.
As I sat up on my bed, she placed the envelope in my hands. "I want you to know that I'm doing this for you because I love you. If your stepmother Violet finds out, she'll use it against you, and I promised your mother I'd take care of you. I could get fired for this, so please take good care of it. Stay strong and remember that I'm here for you," she said with concern etched on her face. I nodded my head, feeling grateful and smiling timidly.
"Now I'll have to go." Grace cautioned before leaving the room.
I hesitated before placing the envelope under my pillow. The weight of its contents felt heavy in my hands. I wasn't ready to face the results of my actions, the consequences that would come if the wrong people found out about what I had done. But at the same time, I knew I couldn't keep hiding forever.
It had been a month since that day, and my life had changed in ways I never could have imagined. I thought back to the moment when Nico had slipped that piece of paper into my bra, It was his phone number, a lifeline for us to stay in touch. But in my current situation, it was also a risk.
I was barred from using a phone or coming into contact with one. It was just one of the many restrictions placed on me by my stepmother Violet. I wasn't even allowed to do anything without her permission, let alone communicate with anyone outside of her control.
As I traced the numbers on the crumpled paper, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. I missed the twins immensely.
I was pacing back and forth in my room just thinking of ways to hear from my best friends when my door immediately flew open once again revealing no other than my evil stepmother.
"You appear to be in the mood for hatching yet another one of your disastrous plans," she mocked, my eyes darting towards her extremely large swollen stomach.
"Contrary to your belief, Violet, not everyone shares your devious tendencies," I replied with a smirk, relishing in her visible agitation.
"I would slap you for speaking out of turn, but I'm too delighted to inform you that your father has finally decided to send you away, as he's unable to control you. With the snap of my fingers, my daughter will take your place as the princess and my rightful successor. Not you," she chuckled with an evil glint in her eye.
"I'll never give up without a fight, Violet. Don't be so naive as to think that I don't have a backup plan to stop you," I retorted with a smirk.
"Don't be foolish with your taunting, dear girl. I hold the key to your future," she declared with pride.
"Is that so?" I chuckled sitting on my bed.
I could see unease on her face and her smug look faltered as she stared at me before speaking, "And what the fuck are you so smug about?"
I smiled, turning on the monitor in front of me, which displayed a video recording of her verbally and physically assaulting me just before I had run away.
"I wonder how much the media and the tabloids would pay to get hold of a juicy story like this one," I mused triumphantly, watching her face turn sour.
"What the hell is this?!" She yelled in rage.
"That's exactly what it is, Violet. And I have an abundance of evidence to prove it. Multiple recordings, in fact. Just imagine what would happen to you if they got out. You'd be stripped of your duties as queen and cast out, ostracized by everyone for assaulting a member of royal blood. But unlike you, who's just a commoner here, there's nothing special about your blood. The worst part is that the media never approved of your relationship with my father," I stated calmly, watching her fold her hands and glare at me before scanning the room nervously.
"Don't worry, you're not being recorded right now. I actually need your help with something," I told her, as she glanced around the room in anxiously.
"Do you honestly think I would ever help you with anything?" she retorted.
"You have no other option than to help me Violet. One look at this video and my father throws you out of this kingdom without any remorse. I have the upper hand which means you'll do everything I say plus after hearing what I have to say I think it will be a win win for the both of us." I spoke with a note of warning, noticing the flash of fury in her eyes.
"What the hell do you want?" She hissed.
"With my birthday just around the corner, I'll be turning twenty and gain the constitutional right to relinquish my title as princess of--" I paused as a sharp gasp escaped Violet's lips, followed by an unsettling smirk that crept across her face.
"Well, well, well. This is getting interesting. Do go on," she urged with an evil glint in her eyes.
"I need your help to step down as princess and leave this place, either by running away or some other means. If my father catches wind of my plan, he'll stop me at all costs. That's why I need you to assist me in secret, so I can finally leave this place for good--just as you've always wanted. And in exchange, your daughter will ascend to the throne. Plus, I'll hand over all the recordings I have of your verbal and physical assaults on me." I proposed a deal, hoping to appeal to her vindictive self-interest.
I wasn't even able to get around this place without being stalked by a damn security watching my every move.
"Layla, I'm afraid your plan has some serious flaws. If your father catches wind of it, I could be kicked out. And how do I know you won't leak that damn tape to the media?" She interrogated, pointing out the potential pitfalls.
"Well I have had this tape for months and never released it plus it's not up to you to decide. You will help me whether you like it or not." I rolled my eyes at her.
"I see that those hoodrats are the ones your so adamant on leaving here to be with. It doesn't surprise me, given your questionable morals and bad-girl reputation. Perhaps you do belong with them after all. I'm even amazed you haven't shown up here pregnant." With a chuckle, she delivered the cutting remark.
"I refuse to stand here and listen to lectures from a bloodsucking, manipulative leech like you," I declared, watching as her amused expression soured into one of distaste.
"You would be wise to watch your mouth. I am the queen," she warned me.
"And if I were you, I would do the same. Besides, you won't be queen for much longer," I retorted smugly, relishing the power shift in our conversation.
We both stood in the room staring off her glare and seething hatred not bothering me one bit.
"Fine, I'll think of a fucking plan, as long as your out of here." She glared about to leave my room.
"One more thing." I stopped her.
"What?" She hissed.
"I require a cellphone. One that's not bugged, mind you. I'm sure you don't want me inadvertently exposing any of your dirty little secrets while your listening in on my calls." I smirked, my tone laced with a menacing undertone. She let out a groan before hastily leaving my room, slamming the door shut behind her.
I let out a deep sigh as I locked the door behind me and collapsed onto my bed, my eyes fixated on my pillow with the envelope resting underneath my pillow. My anxiety mounting, I nervously bit my lip as I retrieved the envelope and tore it open.
As I read the contents of the paper inside, I couldn't help but sigh again. Despite my better judgment, I missed him terribly. Holding up the sheet of paper, I immediately noticed the word "positive" scrawled across the top.
Fuck.
Just another pleasant day.
******THE END******
Ok so I was not expecting that ending😳
Thank you to everyone who had started off and has been there through to the end❣️ Thank you!❤️