Paths Of Paradise

Chapter 7

Demi's POV

"Darling, we're gonna head out, tell Bel we love her alright," my mom whispered after she'd finally gotten me to calm down.

"Okay," I smiled faintly, giving her and my dad a tight hug before they left the room. As the door shut I could hear giggles from outside the room.

"Daddy don't be silly!" a little girl's unmistakable voice drifted through the cold hospital halls. Bella. She was with Justin. She was only with Justin. She's calling Justin 'daddy'. I pieced it together slowly as the door opened. Justin, and a smiley Bella walked in holding hands.

"Hey," I had a faint smile on my lips.

"Hi momma! Guess what?"

"What little love?" I whispered, happy to see her so happy. Justin scooped her up in his arms, and kissed her lips softly before placing her on her bed. That tiny gesture melted my heart in an instant. He was so good with her. He was so good with kids. I remember when we were dating, and we went to visit his dad, how excited he would be to see Jazymn and Jaxon. It was just one more thing I loved about him. Still do.

"Bieber my daddy now," she grinned. Justin ran a hand through his hair, awkwardly looking between the two of us.

"Okay," I didn't know how else to respond. With that no more words were spoken until Bella was sound asleep 5 minutes later. Justin was still standing in the same spot, just gazing at her.

"Can we talk?" he uttered. I nodded my head softly, standing up from the chair I was occupying. I dragged my feet out the door, motioning for Justin to follow me.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Justin questioned, scrunching his nose up in confusion.

"What do you mean?" I asked, buying myself some time.

"You know exactly what I fucking mean," he spat. I took a few steps back, cowering against the door. The way he was talking was bringing back way too many memories.

"P-please don't h-hurt me," I pleaded, tears welling up in my eyes. He looked taken back by the way I was acting. So vulnerable. So weak.

"What? No I," he started, reaching his fingers out to touch me. I was mentally preparing myself, even though I knew Justin would never do such a thing.

"J-Justin," I whimpered helplessly. I wanted him to hold me, and tell me everything would be okay, but I was scared. Scared he was going to take advantage of me, just like that other guy. Justin sighed, and crouched down to my level, holding his arms open for me. I carefully touched his arm, scared my skin would burn if I did. It sounds silly but it was the harsh reality for me ever since the incident. Once I realized he wasn't going to hurt me, I wrapped my arms around him tight, breaking down in tears. I seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

"You need to tell me where this is all coming from," he whispered. Taking a few shaky breaths, I started rattling off all the details from the past 4 years. By the time I got to the end of my story, I was sobbing in Justin's lap as he sat against the wall. His arms were wrapped tight around me, and I could feel him shaking underneath me, some tears escaping his eyes.

"I'm going to kill that sick bastard, I swear the minute I lay my hands on him he's fucking dead."

"I don't know who r-raped me," I mumbled, the word 'rape' tasting like venom in my mouth.

"When," Justin started, "When did he y-you know? When did it happen?"

"3 n-nights after w-we split," I fumbled.

"Did he you know, use... use p-protection?"

"Probably n-not," I shrugged, wanting to get off the topic, "I k-kinda blanked o-out when it h-happened."

"Is Bella my daughter?"