Ahicia woke in the dead of night, her breath coming in sharp gasps as the remnants of her nightmare clung to her mind like a shroud. Her crimson eyes darted around the dark room, her trembling hands clutching the sheets. In her dream, Grace had stood beside Damian, her smug smile a testament to her triumph. Damian had looked at Grace with the warmth that once belonged to Ahicia alone.
Tears welled in Ahicia's eyes, spilling over as silent sobs shook her frail frame. She hugged herself tightly, her mind a whirlwind of despair and insecurity. I can't fight anymore, she thought bitterly. I don't have the strength to compete, not like this.
The tears didn't stop, each one carving a path down her pale cheeks. Exhaustion eventually overtook her, and she drifted into a fitful sleep, her body still trembling from the emotional turmoil.
The next morning, Ahicia looked worse than ever. Her complexion was ashen, her lips tinged with blue, and dark circles marred her delicate face. The maids exchanged worried glances as they moved about the estate, their concern palpable.
Lysandra entered Ahicia's room with a tray of breakfast, her sharp eyes softening with worry as she took in Ahicia's state. "You can't keep doing this to yourself," she said gently, placing the tray on the bedside table.
Ahicia turned away, curling up further beneath the covers. Her crimson eyes stared blankly at the wall, refusing to meet Lysandra's gaze.
"Damian made his choice to save you," Lysandra continued, her voice tinged with desperation. "He's doing this because he loves you. Don't push him away, Ahicia."
But Ahicia remained silent, her frail shoulders trembling slightly. Lysandra clenched her fists, frustration and heartbreak evident in her expression. She couldn't bear to see Ahicia like this, wasting away as if she had already given up on life.
By the third day, Ahicia's condition had deteriorated further. Her coughs wracked her frail body, and spots of blood stained the handkerchiefs the maids provided. Still, she refused to leave her room or see Damian.
Lysandra, unable to stand it any longer, went to Damian. "She's killing herself," Lysandra said, her voice trembling as she stood before him. "She won't eat, won't talk, won't even acknowledge me. You need to do something before it's too late."
Damian's golden eyes darkened, his jaw tightening as he strode toward Ahicia's room. Without hesitation, he opened the door, carrying a small bottle of the pills her father had given him.
Ahicia didn't react to his presence, her crimson eyes fixed on the ceiling. Her once vibrant gaze was now dulled by pain and despair. Damian's chest ached at the sight, but he swallowed his emotions and approached her bedside.
He set the bottle down on the table beside her, his voice soft yet firm. "Ahicia, if you love me, you'll take these. I can't stand to see you like this. Please."
Ahicia didn't move, her expression unchanging. Her silence was deafening, each second stretching unbearably.
Damian sighed, his fingers brushing lightly against her hand. "I know what you're thinking," he continued. "I know you're angry. I know you feel betrayed. But you have to believe me when I say you're the only one I care about. You'll be my only wife, Ahicia. Grace… Grace is just a means to an end."
Ahicia's chest heaved, a tear sliding down her cheek as her lips trembled. She clutched the sheets tightly, her body shaking as the weight of his words settled over her.
Damian leaned closer, his voice cracking slightly. "Please, Ahicia. Take the medicine and get better. I want to see you smile again. I want to take you outside, to show you the world. Don't give up on me. Don't give up on us."
Her soft, broken sobs filled the room as tears streamed down her face. Her delicate frame shook as the emotions she had bottled up for days finally burst free.
Damian stood, his own heart heavy with pain as he heard her whimper softly. He wanted nothing more than to stay and hold her, to reassure her of his love, but he knew she needed time.
Before leaving, he turned back, his golden eyes filled with determination. "I'll wait for you, Ahicia. As long as it takes. Just promise me you won't give up."
The door closed softly behind him, leaving Ahicia alone with her tears and the faint, lingering warmth of his presence.