Captive Princess (Sophia) novel Chapter 9

Pain shot through my entire body, but what hurt more was the absolute, crushing despair of being abandoned.

Flashes of memory flooded my mind.

The first time I saw Vincent, sitting behind his desk, the cold light glinting off his glasses. Me, deliberately provoking him, and him, completely unmoved.

The first time he pinned me down, calling me Principessa, his voice low and ragged. I had thought it was love.

Countless nights, lying in his arms, listening to the steady beat of his heart, thinking I had finally found my home.

The final image was frozen in my mind: Vincent, without a moment’s hesitation, diving to protect Isabella.

And me, like some disposable bystander, left to face the danger all alone.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital bed.

The room was quiet, but I could hear Vincent on the phone just outside my curtain.

“Isabella, does it still hurt?” His voice was so gentle it felt alien to me.

So, in Vincent’s mind, I didn’t even have the right to be angry.

Footsteps approached, and the curtain around my bed was pulled back.

Vincent stood there. Seeing that I was awake, his face held not a single trace of guilt. “You’re awake?”

“Yeah,” my voice was hoarse.

“The doctor said you have a mild concussion and some scrapes on your leg. Nothing serious,” Vincent said. “I’ve arranged for the best medical team. I’ll stay here to take care of you for the next few days.”