Chapter 18
by 
nickkorneev22
What's next?
Tough night
You hear a soft knock on your door, and turn to see Bella standing there, looking pale and drawn.
"Hey," you say softly, sitting up in bed. "Are you okay?"
Bella shakes her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't sleep," she whispers. "I want to take some pills, but I know I shouldn't. I need help."
Without hesitation, you open your arms to her, and she comes to you willingly, burying her face in your chest. You stroke her hair soothingly, holding her tightly as she sobs softly.
After a while, she pulls back and looks up at you, her eyes shining with tears. "I'm sorry," she says, her voice shaking. "I know it's not fair to you, but I just...I don't know what to do."
"It's okay," you say softly, cupping her cheek in your hand. "I'm here for you. Always."
Bella nods, looking up at you with a mixture of gratitude and desire in her eyes.
The rest of the night passes in a blur of emotions and sensations. At times, Bella moves away from you, her guilt and shame almost palpable. Other times, she clings to you desperately, her body writhing with a desire that she can't control.
You're not sure what to make of it all, or what it means for your relationship with Bella. All you know is that in that moment, with her in your arms, she is safer than she was.
As the sun begins to rise outside, you find yourself drifting off to sleep, your body entwined with Bella's. For now, at least, the world fades away, and all that matters is the warmth of her body against yours, and the promise of a new day.
