By dawn, the mansion no longer smelled like smoke and blood, only bleach and silence. The bodies have been cleared, the shattered glasses swept away and the ruined furniture dragged out. But the scars remained.
Mina sat on the edge of the bed in the guest room. Her room was still being cleaned. Her wound was bound tightly. Her nightgown was replaced by another gown Naarah had found for her. The house was quiet now, unnervingly so, as if the violence had never happened.
But she could still hear it. The boots. The gunfire. The screams.
Her hands trembled when she pressed them into her lap, her gaze fixed on the polished floor.
" Where is Naarah?" She muttered to herself. She promised her she would be back soon. Naarah had left earlier to make sure the house was clean before baby Ellie and Olivia could come out from their hiding.
The door creaked open. Mina's head snapped towards it. The anticipation in her eyes died when she saw the person who entered.
Aaron stepped inside. He hadn't changed out of his bloodstained shirt, and he hadn't slept. He hadn't cleaned the blood on his face. His eyes, however, were fixed on her- soft.
" You can go now," Mina said her voice low, brittle.
Aaron flinched at her words. He entered the room, and he walked towards her. However, she stood up from the bed abruptly. She winced from the pain in her shoulder.
" Are you OK, Mina," Aaron asked with a concerning look.
Mina stopped him with her hand.
" Stay where you are Aaron. I can manage."
Aaron swallowed hard, his jaw tightening before he let go. He deserved this treatment.
" I'm not going anywhere, princess. I'm back and I'm here to stay."
Mina rolled her eyes at him.
" I don't need you, Aaron. I'm perfectly fine without you being here."
His breath got caught in his throat. He bit his lower lip.
" I.. I understand, princess, but can you please give me another chance? Please."
He moved a step closer to her. Mina instinctively moved back. Her shoulder throbs.
" I freaking told you to stay where you are, Vetercio. Did you go deaf these past few months?" She angrily said.
She shot him with a fierce gaze.
His hands clenched into fists. Was he losing her? How stupid did he think his plan could work?
He took a deep breath before realising it. He pushed away the tears that were threatening to slip up.
"C - can I at least meet her? Please," He choked on his words.
" You can't. I'm sorry." She said turning her head away from him.
"I see." Aaron nodded. " Please tell her her daddy is home and I miss her. And I'm sorry for what I did to both of you."
Mina sniffed back her tears. Why was her stupid heart throbbing because of his words? He left them. She can't forgive him so easily.
" Please leave." She murmured.
"I love baby. And I'm sorry once again. I won't think about that stupid plan or leave your side when you forgive me, princess. Lo siente."
Mina snapped her head towards him. Tears falling form her face.
" Just leave already, Aaron. Please"