3

Bella

Time seems to have stopped. Everything around me feels so beautiful, like I’m living in a dream. Today, it feels as if everything I’ve ever wanted will finally come true.

The wish I’ve held close to my heart for so long is on the verge of being fulfilled. My wish to be a bride, to marry the love of my life, and live the happily ever after I’ve always dreamed of no longer feels distant. I just need to take a few more steps, and everything I’ve longed for will be mine.

But in an instant, everything turns dark. The very desire for happiness, the hunger to live the life I always imagined, becomes the cause of my misery. The man who once cherished me with endless love now leads me toward hell, a hell where the devil hides behind an angel’s mask. And with each passing day, life grows more unbearable. The weight of death looms over me, breaking whatever courage I have left.

I feel like a caged bird with its wings torn off—silent, broken, unable to cry, unable to express the pain that lurks beneath.

I want to sleep—sleep for so long that I never wake up again. Maybe that would be the end of all this suffering. The escape I’ve longed for, the end of the pain that has haunted me for so long.

But then, a soft voice calls my name—“Belle”—and I feel the warmth of velvety lips press against my forehead.

There are so many voices swirling around me, but I only focus on one. A calming sensation floods my mind. The name "Belle"—the name only my father used to call me—echoes in my thoughts. Suddenly, memories of him flood my mind. He was the one who cherished me unconditionally, and yet, I hurt him because of the choices I made. He was right about him, all along. But I ignored his warnings, and now... now I’ve lost him. I was selfish, so selfish that I became the reason for my father’s death.

Everything that has happened to me is my fault. No one else is to blame. I ruined my own life by chasing after love and choosing the wrong man. If only I could turn back time... If I could erase him from my memory and live my life differently, even if it meant dying today, I would gladly take it.

Dad, I’m sorry for not trusting you, for breaking your heart. You wanted nothing but my happiness, and I became the reason for your death. I’m sorry for letting you go… I’m so sorry.

*

Jake

“Are you kidding me?” I shout, slamming my fist into the wall in frustration. “Why have I kept you here if I can’t even treat a single patient?”

“As I said,” the doctor stammers, his voice trembling, “there’s nothing physically wrong with her. Maybe she doesn’t want to wake up.”

“Why the hell wouldn’t she want to wake up? It’s been a week, and you said her condition isn’t terminal!” I pace in frustration.

“Boss, if someone loses the will to live…” The doctor’s words trail off, his hands shaking as he hands me Belle’s reports. “But there’s no indication of a medical cause. Physically, she’s fine.”

I stare at the reports, hands clenched, before slamming them back into his hands. “What can I do to bring her back?” My voice is barely a whisper.

“You can talk to her,” he says cautiously. “Try to ease her trauma. She may be in a coma, but she can hear and feel everything. Maybe that will give her the strength to wake up.”

“And what if she doesn’t wake up?” My voice is harsh, a mixture of anger and desperation.

The doctor shakes his head. “Only time will tell. We don’t know what happened to her. All her medical history... it’s irrelevant now. But I’ll do everything I can.”

“You better,” I growl, turning to face Belle, her fragile body lying motionless on the bed.

Time has changed her so much. The Belle I once knew—cheerful, bubbly, always helping others—is gone. The woman who fed me when I was hungry, who hugged me when I was cold, who lifted me up when I was drowning in my own despair—where is she now? I wasn’t there for her when she needed me the most. I failed her.

“I’m sorry for not being there,” I murmur, my voice breaking. “Sorry for leaving you alone. Sorry for all the pain you’ve carried all this time, all by yourself. I promise you, the person who did this to you, I will make them suffer ten times more than you ever have. They’ll beg me to end their life. A life so miserable, death will seem like mercy. Just… just wake up, Belle. Please.”

I press a soft kiss to her forehead, feeling the weight of my promise. “I will bring back your happiness. I swear I’ll never let you cry again. Just… wake up.”

The door creaks open, interrupting the silence.

“Boss,” James’s voice is low, but his tone holds a note of urgency.

“Come in,” I say, wiping away the sudden surge of emotion. I straighten, pushing back the vulnerability. “This better be important.”

James steps in, his eyes serious. “We’ve found everything you asked for about Miss Bella. We know who’s responsible for her condition.”

A cold shiver runs through me. “Good. You know what to do.”

James nods, turning to leave without another word.

I turn back to Belle, my heart burning with rage and resolve.

“It won’t be long now, Belle. The person who did this to you is going to pay. And when they do, it’ll be far worse than anything you’ve ever suffered.”

I place my hand on her lifeless one. “Just wake up. For me, for you. Wake up so I can end this nightmare once and for all.”