**Elena**

"There's no need to come out, Helena," he said, his voice low but clear.

What did he mean by "Helena"?

“Xavier, what are you talking about?” I asked, trying to step out of the room to make sure I heard him correctly.

“I won’t repeat myself...” he interrupted, blocking my movement. “If you’re going to come out, you better be in your mask. And I won’t tolerate this newfound closeness towards me.”

I pinched my skin to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Reality struck me, and I realized I wasn’t.

The memories of last night flashed back, and I recalled that Xavier had come in drunk.

But how could he not remember anything? And my voice? Did he not notice it?

At this point, I let myself fall to the floor, my face buried in my arms. Why was the Moon Goddess testing me?.

I stood up slowly, careful not to make a sound. He was still standing just outside the door, his back to me, but I could hear the shift in his breathing, like he was battling something inside himself.

"Why do you keep calling me Helena?" I asked, my voice soft but steady, still hidden behind the half-closed door.

He paused. "Because that’s who you are," he said bitterly. "Don’t play dumb with me."

"I’m not playing anything." My voice cracked before I could stop it. "What happened last night... it wasn’t a game."

There was silence..

"You think I’d forget that easily?" he finally said. "Whatever happened last night..if anything happened, it was a mistake. You crossed a line."

My hand gripped the edge of the door. "I didn’t force you, Xavier. You touched me first."

He inhaled sharply. "I was drunk. You should’ve known better. I don’t need you trying to replace her."

Replace her?.

The words stabbed deeper than they should’ve.

"Do you always confuse women in your bed, or just the ones you claim to hate?" I whispered, voice tight.

He didn’t answer.

And that silence?.

It shattered me more than any insult could.

"Why did you tell the maid I should have the room?"

There was a beat of silence. Then his voice, cold and sharp.

"So you heard that?"

I didn’t respond. Just waited.

He scoffed, low and bitter. "Your presence sickens me."

My heart clenched.

"I could still smell you there," he added, voice laced with disgust. "You rubbed yourself all over my space like you belonged. I just needed it cleared. Needed it rid of you."

I swallowed hard..

So that was it.

Not guilt. Not pity.

Just disgust.

I turned away from the door, the tears already sliding down. My fingers fumbled for the mask and pulled it over my face, tight, suffocating. Hiding everything I didn’t want the world to see.

Maybe… maybe Mortina was right all along.

Maybe I really was the problem.

Unwanted.

A mistake.

I closed the door, locking it behind me. My legs gave way, and I dropped to the floor like a rag doll.

You should’ve known better, Elena.

You were never meant to be seen. You were never meant to be loved.

You were just the fill-in, the shadow of someone else’s life.

The weight on my chest grew heavier until I couldn’t take it anymore. I stood up slowly, my legs trembling beneath me. I made my way to the bathroom, my hand trailing along the cold wall like I needed something to ground me.

The mirror reflected a stranger. Puffy eyes. A cracked smile.

Who are you kidding, Elena?.

I opened the small drawer beneath the sink, pulled it out, one thing I had barely touched for a long time.. I wasn’t even sure why I had kept the pill.

It had been a stupid idea, something Lauren had begged me to throw away after Father’s accident.

But I didn’t.

And now, it felt like it had been waiting for me.

I stared at the tiny capsule in my palm. It was barely the size of a fingernail, but it looked heavier than the world itself.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered into the silence, though I wasn’t sure who I was apologizing to, Father, Xavier, Lauren, or maybe even myself.

I sat on the edge of the bathtub, the pill rolling between my fingers. Just one, I told myself. Just enough to sleep through the ache. Just enough to quiet the noise in my head.

But my hand didn’t stop at one.

Two… then three.

Maybe I didn’t care anymore.

Maybe I was tired of pretending.

I swallowed them dry. The bitterness stuck to my throat, and I leaned back, staring up at the ceiling like it held answers.

Minutes passed, maybe seconds. Time blurred. My limbs felt heavy..

Then—

I felt a sharp pain in my stomach, quick and sudden. My vision blurry, colors bleeding together like spilled ink.

I couldn't breathe. I reached for the sink, knocking over the toothbrush holder as my knees gave out.

I collapsed to the floor.

The cold tiles bit into my skin, but all I could focus on was the burn spreading through my chest, like fire had bloomed in the center of me.

My fingers scraped against the floor, searching for something, anything, to hold on to.

But there was nothing.

Just silence.

And pain.

**Xavier**

The sudden silence bothered me. Why was she quiet?

“Why should I care?” I muttered as I walked past the room. Oh, who was I kidding? I entered the room, searching for her or maybe it was just another stunt by her.

A different yet familiar scent engulfed me. “Helena?” I called out. The sound of shattering glass was my only response.

I stepped into the bathroom and saw her lifeless body lying on the cold tiles.

“What the hell did you do?” I raised my voice as she struggled to mumble something beneath her breath.

The scent I had perceived when I entered had changed. She smelled nothing like Elena.

There were scattered pills on the floor.

“Did she try to kill herself?” I thought as panic set in.

“Get the car ready and call Nick,” I instructed the guards. Although her face was neatly covered by the mask, I could see that her eyes had turned red.

We arrived at the hospital in just a few minutes.

“I’ll take it from here, Your Highness,” Nick said.

“Wait!” I called out to him. “Don’t take off the mask, and do whatever you can to save her.”

Why did I even say that? Nevertheless, I watched as he and the other nurses rushed her into the emergency room.

My heart was racing, as if I was about to lose a part of myself. But why did Helena’s actions bother me?

No, I refused to get conflicted. My heart belongs to Elena; it’s just sympathy, I told myself, trying to justify my feelings.

“My King, I think you should return to the mansion, as it's quite late,” Nick said, bringing me back to reality.

“How is she?” I asked, searching for a positive response.

“She’s stable now. Thank the Moon Goddess you brought her in time; who knows what might have happened otherwise?”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, a knot forming in my stomach.

“It turns out she took an overdose of sleeping pills, and it affected her,” he explained. “She also seems to be under a lot of stress. I suggest she take things easy. But for now, she’s safe, so you can head back,” he continued.

“Can I see her?” I blurted out.

“You know what, never mind. I’ll send someone in when day breaks. Thank you, Nick,” I said, tapping his shoulder as I left.

But a part of me wanted to stay by her side. However, I felt like I would be betraying Elena. I couldn’t do that.

I considered leaving it alone. Let her heal and let everything bury itself in the past.

But something wouldn’t let me. A small, sharp feeling kept digging into me, like a splinter under the skin.

It wasn’t just the overdose. It wasn’t just the guilt.

It was her eyes. The fear I saw that night when she thought she would lose me. The way she flinched, as if she expected pain instead of touch.

Helena would never have looked at me like that. She wasn’t afraid of anything, least of all me.

I closed my eyes, fists clenched.

So why had she been so scared?

The way she moved, the way she smelled, even the way she trembled when I was too close... it didn’t add up.

It wasn’t Helena.

I knew it. I had known about it for a while now.

But if it wasn’t her... if it was Elena...

Then why the hell was she hiding? Who made her?

And worse, why didn’t she trust me enough to tell me the truth?

A bitter taste coated my tongue.

I needed answers. No more second-guessing. No more lying to myself.

At dawn, I was going back. And this time, I wasn’t leaving until I knew everything.

******

The sky was still dark when I pulled up to the hospital.

I didn’t wait for anyone. I moved through the hallways like a ghost, my footsteps soundless, my heart louder than ever.

Nick saw me and nodded silently, stepping aside.

I pushed open the door to her room.

There she was.

Lying still, like a broken doll someone had tossed aside. The soft beeping of the machines was the only proof she was still breathing.

My chest tightened.

I walked closer, stopping at the edge of the bed.

Her mask was still on, covering most of her face, but her messy, loose hair spilled across the pillow. Her hands were small and fragile. A bruise formed near her wrist where the IV was.

Should I remove the mask..No, I'm sure there's a reason why she's doing this to me.

I reached out without thinking.

My fingers brushed hers, cold and delicate.

She flinched in her sleep.

That tiny, helpless movement shattered something inside me.

What had been done to her?

Who had done this?

I curled my hand into a fist, pulling it back before I could do something stupid.

I wanted to demand answers. I wanted to shake the truth out of her. But one look at her face, at how pale and tired she looked, made me realize...

I couldn’t.

Not now.

She needed rest. She needed safety. No more questions. No more fear.

I pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down.

I would wait.

She stirred a little, a soft whimper escaping her lips.

I froze.

Without thinking, I reached out again, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead.

"You're safe," I whispered, the words barely audible even to myself.

She calmed almost instantly, her breathing evening out.

I sat there, watching her.

Protecting her.

Even if I didn’t know why. Even if she never told me.

I kept my thoughts to myself.

For now.

But this time, I wasn’t going to let it go.

I would find out the truth, even if it meant tearing down every lie she had built around herself.

**Elena**

The air was thick with something unexplainable—like he’d just left. My chest tightened. No, it couldn’t be. Not him… not here.

A dull headache gripped me as I tried to remember what had happened.

I pressed my palms against my face, feeling a sense of relief. The mask was still on, but then something else caught my attention. I traced my fingers to my neck. The hospital gown had tightly covered the mark, just as I wanted.

I could smell his presence all around me. It couldn't be possible that he had been here. I muttered, rubbing my forehead.

"Why'd you do that?" a voice interrupted my thoughts. I raised my head to see Nick.

Panic surged through me. Did he remove the mask? Has he seen my face? Does he know the truth? Has he told anyone?

"Helena..." he called out, snapping me back to reality.

"What happened?" he continued. "You took an overdose."

"What?" He just called me Helena.

And the overdose... Oh, I remembered that.

"I don't know what happened, Nick. I just wanted to quiet the noise in my head. I didn’t realize that taking more than two would have such a profound effect.”

“Hmmm, well, given your condition, it had to result in something like this.”

My condition? Did he mean my pregnancy?.

“My condition?” I asked, my heart dropped, but I already knew what he meant.

“Yes, Helena, or didn’t you know you’re pregnant?” he asked.

I knew that question didn’t deserve an answer. Why wouldn’t the Pack’s healer know I was pregnant?

He continued, “Your silence tells me no one else knows.”

"Please, Nick. You can’t tell anyone," I pleaded, trying to sit up, but the IV line kept me pinned to the bed.

“I’m not as loudmouthed as you think, Helena,” he shot back.

He was speaking rudely to me because of what happened last time, but I couldn’t blame him for his anger.

“How do you intend to hide it?” he asked. “Or are you trying to keep it a secret because it doesn’t belong to your husband?” He moved closer as he spoke.

I swallowed hard. “It belongs to Xavier, Nick. Do not get the wrong idea,” I insisted.

By “wrong idea,” do you mean that this child might not be his? He shot back.

“Please, I don’t want us arguing. I already said this child belongs to my husband. It isn’t yours, and I want it to stay that way.”

“Fine. Just continue shoving me off,” he said, approaching the door.

“Wait. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry? For what exactly? Is it for choosing him over me, the same man you claim not to love? Or is it the fact that you’re now carrying his child?”

He scoffed. “How can I be so sure you’re not even lying about that, Helena?” He slammed his fist against the wall in frustration.

“Don’t try to create a scene, Nick. I thought you, of all people, would understand me. Don’t let your love for…” The next word felt heavy on my lips.

“Love for what, Helena? Did you ever even love me? For once, did you?” he asked.

I couldn’t answer. The awkward silence spoke volumes.

“I’m sorry, Nick. Please don’t make things difficult. If you ever claimed to love the time we spent together, you’ll let me go,” I said.

After a moment of silent sniffles, he wiped his tears. “Fine, if that’s what you want. I’ll grant that wish of yours, Helena. I’ll leave you alone from now on.”

Although I wasn’t Helena, I felt heartbroken hearing those words come from his mouth.

I didn't realize things would be this difficult. A part of me wished I had disappeared that day instead of Helena. Maybe things would have been better.

"I'll get a nurse to tend to you," he said. "And don't worry, your amazing husband has given instructions that your mask shouldn't be removed."

He continued, "So much for you defending him while he hides your face." He let out a bitter laugh and exited the room."

He was right. I felt anger toward Xavier. I knew that the whole hiding behind a mask started from my end, but at least after that night, I thought things would be different.

Why did he remember everything else except for the fact that the mask was removed? He took the mask off, so why doesn’t he remember that? Why doesn't he remember my face? Does he even recall that he had marked me?

Now, he’s been so insistent that I do not remove it, as if I'm some kind of ugly beauty or a plague he's trying to avoid.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, far across the hospital bed. The brown leather butterfly-shaped mask, adorned with pink stones, staring back at me. The only thing that was visible was my lips.

Maybe I should start feeling comfortable in this, since that's what Xavier wants, I thought to myself.

A few minutes later, the door swung open. I was expecting someone else.

"That look, you were expecting someone else?" she sneered, her voice dripping with a hint of disgust.

"Who let you in?" I shot back.

"You know I'd rather choke on a spoon than be here. The drama queen herself is finally awake. After your last speech, I thought I’d be arrested or something”.

She continued. “But look at you—you know, looking pale in that hospital robe suits you.”

"I don't need your sympathy, Mortina. Just leave," I responded.

“Ooh, I’m shaking,” she said sarcastically, letting out a chuckle. “Anyway, I brought you something. Thought I’d be useful for once.” She waved the bottle in the air, its sharp scent already filling the room.”

“And you know you’ll be needing it...”

She was right. I did need the spray scent.

I stared at Mortina as she waved the spray bottle in front of me.

I wanted to tell her to leave, to disappear from my sight, but the words felt stuck in my throat. I was exhausted, emotionally drained. The last thing I needed was her getting on my nerves.

“What do you want, Mortina?” I finally managed to ask, my voice tight with frustration.

She smirked, “I just wanted to make sure you’re comfortable, sweetheart. After all, your precious husband is so concerned, isn't he? Wondering if you’re doing okay after your little episode."

Her words hit me like a slap, and my heart sank. She knew about the overdose. But of course, she did. Nick probably told her, told everyone. He had to have.

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re just here to rub it in, aren’t you?”

Her lips curled into a mocking smile. “Oh, you wound me, Elena. I’m only here to offer my support... in my own special way.”

She stepped forward, holding the spray bottle high, her gaze fixed on the mask that covered my face. “You know, it must be so exhausting, hiding behind that thing. I bet you feel free every time you get a moment to take it off, don’t you?”

I looked at her, my hands clenched under the blanket. “You’re cruel, Mortina,” I said quietly, trying not to shake.

She laughed. Cold. Mean.

“ Please, Elena. Don't act like you didn't see it coming.. The last time I saw you, you were so confident. So sure that everything would be forgiven. How did that work out for you, hmm?”

I had believed it would. I wanted to believe it.

“You don’t understand anything,” I said.

Mortina smiled in that fake sweet way of hers. “Don’t I? You really think someone like you can get away with this?”

My throat tightened. Everything felt heavy. My heart. My thoughts.

And then, it all burst out of me.

“Why are you doing this, Mortina?” My voice cracked. “Why? Is it even my fault? Why are you hurting me this much? What did I ever do to you?”

She walked closer, her eyes sharp, her perfume choking the air.

“You really want to know?” she said quietly, her smile turning cold.

“Fine.”

She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’ll tell you.”