Chapter 21

Vien stiffened, her chest tightening at Gabriela's words. She bit her lower lip, her hands trembling as she cupped Gabriela's tear-streaked face. Gently, she rubbed her thumbs against Gabriela's cheeks, her gaze catching on the faint handprint marking her skin.

"Did someone slap you?" Vien asked, tilting Gabriela's face to examine the bruise at the corner of her lips. Her stomach churned with anger. "What the..." she muttered under her breath. "Who did this?"

Gabriela shook her head, brushing Vien's hands away. "Go home, Vien," she said, her voice low, her gaze fixed somewhere else.

"Gabi," Vien called out softly. "Come on, talk to me. What happened?"

Vien's chest ached as she noticed the light fading from Gabriela's smile, leaving a hollow, unfamiliar expression in its place. "Just leave me alone, Vien," Gabriela said, her tone sharp, almost pleading.

"I'm not leaving," Vien declared, sinking to the floor in front of her, determination hardening her gaze. "I'm staying right here until you tell me what's wrong."

Vien's breath hitched as she saw Gabriela clench her jaw, her composure unraveling. After a moment, Gabriela tried to stand, but her legs gave out.

"Gabi!" Vien hissed, catching her before she fell completely. Frustration and worry bubbled over as her voice rose. "Just what the fuck is going on?!"

"Why do you care?!" Gabriela snapped, her tears flowing freely now.

Vien froze, the question cutting deeper than she expected. Her breath came shaky as she searched for an answer, but bitterness crept into her tone. "Why do I care?" she murmured bitterly. "Because you told me to. You said you'd stay no matter what. You promised, Gabi, that no matter how much I pushed you away, you'd stay."

Her voice cracked as she continued. "So why are you shutting me out now?"

Gabriela swallowed hard, her shoulders trembling. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Please, just go home, Vien."

Vien rolled her eyes, exhaling sharply as she ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. Her hands were trembling, but she reached out anyway, taking Gabriela's wounded hands in her own. "These cuts..." she began, her voice shaking. "Did you... did you do this to yourself?"

Gabriela bit her lip and shut her eyes tightly, slowly nodding.

Vien's heart sank. A bitter chuckle escaped her lips as she tried to hold back her tears. "Why?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "Why would you hurt yourself, Gabi?"

"Why not?" Gabriela replied, laughing bitterly through her tears. "My life's a mess anyway, Vien." She sniffed, her words pouring out like a dam had burst. "Growing up, my family couldn't even look at me without seeing a joke—a girl with a male body. I was a freak to them. And because I was born, my mom died. Everything about me... my existence... it's just a cruel joke."

"It's not," Vien said firmly, her voice trembling. "Gabi, don't think like that. You're not weird, and you're definitely not a joke. You're you, and that's enough. You're enough." Her voice cracked as she pleaded. "Please, don't do this to yourself."

Gabriela let out a broken sigh, her head leaning against Vien's shoulder. "I'm tired," she whispered. "So tired, Vien."

Vien shut her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks as she cradled Gabriela close. She stroked her hair gently, her voice soft but resolute. "I'm here, Gabi. I'm here. Blair and I are here for you. Please, just don't hurt yourself anymore."

Gabriela bit her lip as Vien helped her to the bed. Vien let out a heavy sigh, her eyes scanning Gabriela's form—vulnerable and utterly broken. Gabriela fidgeted with her fingers, swallowing hard as she cleared her throat.

"Thanks, Vien," she mumbled, her voice cracking. "I... I'll handle everything from here. You can go home."

Vien crossed her arms, her steel-blue eyes narrowing. "Where's your first aid kit?" she asked, ignoring Gabriela's dismissal.

"What?" Gabriela blinked, her brows furrowing.

"I need to take care of your wounds," Vien said plainly. "So, where is it?"

"No. Just leave it as it—"

"Where?" Vien interrupted, her tone sharp. She stepped closer, irritation evident. "Gabriela, don't make me repeat myself, or I swear I'll knock some sense into that stubborn head of yours."

Gabriela chuckled weakly, shaking her head. "Still grumpy as ever," she muttered before reaching for the lowest drawer of her bedside table. She pulled out a small first aid kit and handed it to Vien.

"Good," Vien said, taking the kit and sitting beside her. Gabriela stiffened as Vien reached for her hands.

"Relax," Vien scoffed, noticing Gabriela's unease. "Don't overthink this—I'm just cleaning your wounds. You're acting like I'm about to break your arm."

"I'm not," Gabriela muttered, though her sniffles betrayed her attempt to sound unaffected.

Vien examined Gabriela's hands, pressing gently along her bruised knuckles and wrists. Her lips pursed as she noted the warmth and roughness. "Did you punch something with your bare hands?"

Gabriela hesitated before nodding slightly, her voice barely audible. "Yes."

"Figures," Vien said with a dry chuckle, unwrapping bandages and antiseptic. "I used to have the same kind of wounds back in high school and college."

Gabriela frowned, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

Vien glanced up briefly, a faint smile crossing her lips. "I used to fight a lot," she said, returning her attention to Gabriela's hands. "Bare fists, street brawls, karate team—you name it. I even joined a mixed boxing club. But..." Vien trailed off as she dabbed antiseptic onto Gabriela's knuckles, her touch gentle but firm.

"But?" Gabriela prompted softly.

Vien clicked her tongue. "I got injured once. Broke my knuckles pretty badly. I still managed to become a surgeon, but sometimes, the pain comes back. Some days, it hurts like hell."

Gabriela's gaze softened as she watched Vien's precise movements. "You must've been cool back then," she said quietly.

"And now I'm not?" Vien teased, smirking. "Look, I get it—hurting yourself like this might feel like a way to ease the pain. But it's not worth it, Gabi. You've got to stop."

Gabriela blinked, her eyes meeting Vien's.

Vien gave her a small, reassuring smile. "If you feel like hurting yourself, try this instead—get a bucket of water, dump in some ice cubes, and submerge your hands. It won't feel the same, but the numbness will help without leaving scars."

Gabriela bit her lip, unable to respond.

Vien sighed as she unwrapped a bandage, carefully covering Gabriela's knuckles. "You don't need to hurt yourself like this, Gabi. You're not a freak, or a joke, or whatever else people have made you believe. Quit thinking like that. Please."

Gabriela's breath hitched as tears began to flow again. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "You shouldn't have to see me like this."

Vien clicked her tongue, rummaging through the kit for gauze. "You don't have to apologize," she said firmly. "Your feelings are valid. You've been hurt by the very people who should've accepted you unconditionally. But if you keep hurting yourself, you're invalidating your own worth as a person. If you need to talk, come to me—or someone you trust. Just don't bottle it up like this."

Gabriela turned her head, her tears falling silently. Vien didn't say another word, letting her cry as she finished wrapping both wrists.

"Gabi," Vien said gently, brushing a stray tear from her cheek. "You don't need anyone's validation to be yourself. If someone can't accept you, let them go. You don't need their approval to feel worthy."

Gabriela sniffled, nodding slightly as Vien stood and wiped away her remaining tears.

"Rest now," Vien said softly, helping Gabriela lie down and pulling the blanket over her. "You're exhausted. I'll stay until you're asleep."

Gabriela shifted under the covers, her breathing evening out as Vien perched on the edge of the bed.

Resting her hands on her knees, Vien shut her eyes, a deep sigh escaping her lips. Guess we're both a mess in our own ways, she thought, glancing back at Gabriela.