Arabella stirred awake on the bed. She slowly opened her eyes and found herself lying alone in the king's bedchambers. She blinked several times, trying to gather her thoughts as she looked around the luxurious room. Everything was quiet, almost too quiet.
The events of the previous night felt like a distant nightmare until her eyes landed on her bloodied clothes. Instantly, the memories of everything that had happened came rushing back to her.
She remembered Victor's boots crashing against her stomach over and over again. She remembered the unbearable pain that had consumed her body, the blood, the screams, and the feeling of helplessness as she watched her world fall apart. It all felt so real that she could almost feel the pain happening all over again.
Closing her eyes, she slowly moved her trembling hands to her stomach, expecting to feel the same unbearable ache.
But there was nothing.
She frowned before gently pressing against her stomach again. There was still no pain.
