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CHAPTER SIXTEEN;

Notes On A Life Not Quite Lived

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1 YEAR AGO

Twenty-four hours had crawled by since the nightmare began, and Aurora sat in a daze beside Ezra's hospital bed. Her eyes were bloodshot, rimmed with exhaustion and streaked with dried tears. The sterile hospital room felt suffocating, the steady beep of machines a haunting reminder of the fragility of life.

Ezra lay motionless, his once vibrant presence now reduced to a still figure under layers of bandages and tubes. The accident had robbed him of consciousness, leaving him suspended in a state of limbo between life and death. And beside him, Aurora felt equally suspended, trapped in a waking nightmare from which there was no escape.

They had just come out of surgery, the aftermath of which was etched in the pale lines of Ezra's face. His leg was now gone, amputated in a desperate bid to save his life. Aurora's heart constricted with anguish at the sight, knowing all too well the dreams that lay shattered in the wake of the surgeon's blade.

Ezra's aspirations of reaching Formula 1, of racing under the glare of the track lights and adoring fans, now seemed like cruel illusions. The future they had once dared to dream together now felt impossibly distant, obscured by the harsh reality of his injuries.

As she sat there, the weight of grief crushing her spirit, Aurora couldn't help but wonder how Ezra would bear this burden. She knew him well enough to anticipate the self-recrimination that would consume him, the relentless whispers of doubt that would haunt his every waking moment.

Aurora's heart shattered anew as she took a closer look at Ezra's injuries. Her tears flowed unchecked, blurring her vision as she struggled to comprehend the extent of his suffering. Daniel had left the hospital momentarily, a brief respite in the midst of chaos, to attend to some urgent errands.

He'd gone to grab some fresh clothes, as Aurora had refused to leave Ezra's side, and to pick Ezra's parents up from the airport, their flight due to land at any moment.

Through the layers of bandages, Aurora could see the telltale traces of blood, staining the pristine white fabric like a grim reminder of the violence that had torn through Ezra's body. Her trembling fingers brushed lightly over the gauze, tracing the contours of his leg where it had been severed by the surgeon's blade. The sight made her stomach churn with a sickening mix of anguish and disbelief.

Turning her attention to Ezra's face, Aurora's breath caught in her throat at the sight of the bandages that obscured his forehead and cheek. Beneath the sterile wrapping lay the ugly truth of his injuries, the jagged lines of stitches a cruel testament to the brutality of his ordeal. She longed to reach out and smooth away his pain, to erase the scars that marred his once flawless skin.

But it was the burns that haunted her most-the angry, red welts that marred the remaining parts of his body like a macabre constellation. Each mark spoke of untold agony, of a fiery inferno that had ravaged flesh and bone without mercy. Aurora felt a surge of helplessness wash over her, a profound sense of despair at the sight of Ezra's broken body.

Aurora froze, her heart lurching in her chest as Ezra's voice cut through the hazy fog of her despair. "June?" he whispered, his words barely more than a hoarse rasp. The sound of his voice, weak and strained, pierced through the silence of the hospital room like a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.

For a moment, Aurora could only stare, her mind struggling to process the miracle unfolding before her. Ezra, her beloved Ezra, was awake. His eyes fluttered open, glazed with pain and confusion, and she felt a surge of relief flood through her veins.

But as she moved to reach for the nurse's button, her hand trembling with urgency, she paused. A flicker of hesitation crossed her features as she hesitated, torn between her instinct to summon help and her overwhelming desire to hold Ezra close, to reassure him with the warmth of her embrace.

In the end, love won out over fear, and Aurora found herself leaning closer to Ezra, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm here, Ez," she whispered, her words a fervent prayer in the silence of the room. "I'm right here."

Ezra's gaze shifted, and for a fleeting moment, their eyes locked in a poignant exchange of understanding. Despite the pain etched into every line of his face, there was a glimmer of determination in his eyes, a silent reassurance that he was fighting, that he wasn't ready to give up.

Aurora reached out tentatively, her fingers hovering just above his bandaged hand, afraid to touch him for fear of causing him more pain. But Ezra's hand moved, weakly grasping hers in a fragile embrace that spoke volumes without the need for words.

"I'm sorry," Ezra murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so sorry,"

Aurora shook her head, tears blurring her vision as she struggled to find the right words to say. "Don't be sorry," she replied, her voice choked with emotion. "This isn't your fault. None of this is your fault."

Ezra's lips trembled, and he squeezed her hand gently, as if drawing strength from her touch. "I love you, June," he whispered, his words a fragile declaration of his unwavering devotion.

Aurora's heart swelled with love and anguish in equal measure, the weight of their shared pain bearing down on her like a crushing weight.

"It hurts," Ezra whimpered, his voice barely audible over the soft hum of machines surrounding him. Aurora nodded, her heart breaking at the sight of his pain. She reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead with a gentle touch. "I know," she murmured, her voice laced with sorrow. "Let me get the nurse,"

As she pressed the call button beside the bed, summoning a nurse, Aurora's mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. The events of the past few hours felt like a nightmare from which she couldn't wake. Images of the mangled car, the flashing lights of emergency vehicles, and the frantic rush to the hospital replayed in her mind with haunting clarity.

"What...what happened, June?" Ezra's voice faltered, his eyes pleading for answers that Aurora struggled to provide. She took a deep breath, her own tears blurring her vision as she fought to find the right words.

"You were in an accident," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "You were hurt badly."

Confusion clouded Ezra's features, his brows furrowing in bewilderment as he tried to piece together the fragments of his shattered memory. "What happened?" he asked again, his voice tinged with fear.

Aurora hesitated, grappling with the painful truth that lay between them. "There was a crash," she began, her voice faltering as she recounted the events of that fateful day. "Your car...it flipped. It was bad."

Ezra's breath caught in his throat as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. His gaze drifted downward, and his eyes widened in shock as he saw the empty space where his leg should have been.

"Oh God," he whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief. "My leg..."

Aurora reached out, her hand trembling as she gently squeezed his in a silent gesture of comfort. "It's going to be okay," she murmured, her voice thick with tears. "We'll get through this together."

Aurora's heart raced as Ezra's panic intensified, his shouts echoing in the sterile hospital room. "No, this isn't right! This is wrong! Where am I? Where's my leg?!" His voice was strained with fear, his eyes wide and wild.

Aurora's own panic rose as she struggled to find the right words to calm him. "Amour, please," she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear. "Try to breathe, okay? You're safe now."

But her words seemed to only fuel his agitation as he continued to thrash about, his voice hoarse with panic. "Where's my leg? What happened to me?" he cried out, his eyes darting around the room frantically.

Aurora's hands shook as she reached out, attempting to soothe him with gentle touches, but he only thrashed more violently, his movements becoming erratic. "Ezra, please, you need to calm down," she begged, her voice thick with tears.

"Don't fucking touch me!" He cried, his sobs echoing around the room as Aurora flinched, stumbling away from him in fear.

The nurse rushed into the room, her eyes wide with concern as she assessed the situation. "We need to sedate him," she said firmly, moving quickly to prepare the medication.

Ezra's shouts grew louder, his voice filled with desperation and fear as the nurse approached him with the syringe. "No, get away from me!" he screamed, his words echoing off the walls of the room.

Aurora's heart broke as she watched Ezra's breakdown unfold before her. She felt utterly helpless, unable to ease his suffering or calm his fears.

As the nurse administered the sedative, Ezra's movements gradually slowed, his breathing becoming more steady. He blinked rapidly, confusion clouding his eyes as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings.

Aurora remained by his side, her voice a soft murmur of reassurance. "It's going to be okay, Ezra," she whispered, her hand gently stroking his forehead. "You're in the hospital, and the doctors are going to take care of you."

Ezra's eyes flickered with recognition as the medication began to take effect, his panic slowly subsiding. "June?" he murmured, his voice barely audible above the hum of the machines.

Aurora smiled through her tears, relief flooding her as she realized he was beginning to calm down. "I'm here," she said softly, her voice filled with tenderness. "I'm not going anywhere."

As Ezra fell unconscious, the nurse approached Aurora with a sympathetic gaze. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.

Aurora's composure crumbled as the weight of the situation crashed down on her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to find her voice. "He's never going to be the same again, is he?" she whispered, her words choked with emotion.

The nurse placed a comforting hand on Aurora's shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

Aurora desperately clung to the fragile flame of hope amidst the suffocating darkness of uncertainty. Ezra had awakened, drawing breath into his lungs, and he had endured the worst of the accident's brutal aftermath. She whispered these reassurances to herself like a sacred chant, each repetition an act of defiance against the looming spectre of despair.

"He's going to pull through," she murmured to herself, her voice trembling with a blend of resolve and vulnerability. "He's going to fight this."

Yet beneath the surface of her steadfast determination, doubt gnawed away like a relentless predator. It lurked in the recesses of her mind, whispering chilling truths that she dared not acknowledge. The shadows of fear danced at the edges of her consciousness, threatening to consume her fragile optimism.

As she kept her vigil by Ezra's side, her heart weighed down by the burden of worry, she poured her silent prayers into the ether, beseeching whatever higher power might be listening for his swift recovery. But unbeknownst to her, the hands of fate were already in motion, weaving a tragic tapestry that would irrevocably alter the course of her life.

In just three short days, the world would unravel before her eyes.

In three days' time, Ezra McAllister would slip away, leaving behind only a hollow shell of his former self.

And in that same span of time, Aurora's world would crumble into dust, her hopes shattered and her future irreversibly altered by the merciless hand of fate.

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❤️️ Liked by steviep, d3nnyric, cuntycora and 200 others

@princerory: i baked a cake, but max won't let me post it on my baking account...so here's max's cake.

Comments:

d3nnyric: i wonder why max wouldn't let you post that on the public account

➠ cuntycora: yeah wtf, you should post it!

➠ madmax: don't encourage her please

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Charles:

I've left a package with your concierge.

Aurora:

Gee thanks

Aurora sent an image

Aurora:

I'm flattered

Charles:

I thought you could share it with Max

Or Carlos

Aurora:

How thoughtful of you, princess.

Did you make it with your own tears?

Charles:

Funny.

Are you going to the gala tomorrow?

Aurora:

Not if you'll be there.

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❤️️ Liked by maxverstappen, carlossainz, corajackson and 200 others

@rorybakes: amen

Comments:

charlesleclerc: you're going to hell for that one

➠ rorybakes: after you, princess.

carlossainz: estrellita, this one looks unedible.

➠ oscarpiastri: they all look unedible?

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As the vibrant lights of Monaco began to illuminate the night sky, Max and Aurora found themselves preparing for a rare moment of escape from the tumult of their lives. The air was charged with anticipation as they readied themselves for a night out in the glamorous city.

In Aurora's apartment, the atmosphere crackled with a blend of excitement and uncertainty. Max lounged on the plush sofa, idly flipping through a magazine, while Aurora moved about the room with graceful purpose, selecting the perfect outfit for the evening.

With a sigh, Aurora tossed aside one dress after another, her brows furrowed in frustration. "I have nothing to wear," she muttered, her voice tinged with exasperation.

Max glanced up from his magazine, his gaze lingering appreciatively on Aurora's form as she stood before him, clad in nothing but a towel. "I beg to differ," he remarked with a teasing grin, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

Aurora rolled her eyes playfully, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. "Smooth, Max," she chuckled, her tone laced with amusement.

As she continued her search for the perfect attire, Max rose from the sofa and sauntered over to her side. "Let me help you," he offered, his voice soft and reassuring.

Aurora snorted. "Absolutely not," she teased. "I'd end up going out in a Red Bull shirt if I let you choose."

"Or, we could stay in?" he smirked.

Aurora swatted him on the arm and grinned. "Not a chance," she rolled her eyes.

"I still don't see why we have to go to this thing," Max grumbled, tossing a magazine aside with a sigh. "I'd much rather be anywhere else than at some stuffy charity gala."

Aurora, who was rummaging through her collection of dresses, couldn't help but sympathize with Max's sentiment. "I know, Max," she replied, a hint of agreement in her voice. "But it's for a good cause. And besides, there's an open bar."

Max perked up at the mention of free drinks, his interest piqued. "Well, why didn't you say so earlier?" he exclaimed, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "In that case, count me in. You can't threaten me with an open bar."

With a smirk, Aurora turned her attention back to her wardrobe, surveying the array of elegant dresses before her. "I have nothing to wear, Maxie," she pouted aloud, her fingers trailing over the luxurious fabrics.

Max's gaze wandered over the selection of dresses, his brow furrowed in contemplation. Suddenly, his eyes alighted on a sleek black dress hanging on the rack, its simple yet sophisticated design catching his eye.

"That one," he declared, pointing to the black dress with a decisive nod. "You should wear that one."

Aurora glanced at the dress Max had chosen, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I do love that one," she remarked, her tone teasing. "But are you sure? It's a bit... much for a gala."

Max shrugged nonchalantly. "Trust me, Aurora," he replied with a grin. "You'll look stunning in anything. Besides, Lando told me Charles is going."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Aurora snapped. Max held his hands up in surrender.

"Just telling you he's going, that's all." Max teased.

As Aurora disappeared into the ensuite to change, Max couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at having convinced her to wear the dress of his choosing. And as they prepared to embark on their evening of charity and glamour, he couldn't shake the feeling that, despite his initial reluctance, tonight might turn out to be more enjoyable than he had anticipated.

As Aurora emerged from the ensuite, the sleek black dress hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her graceful figure. Max couldn't help but admire her as she approached, a radiant smile gracing her lips.

"Wow, Aurora, you look amazing," Max exclaimed, his eyes widening in appreciation.

Aurora chuckled, a hint of blush coloring her cheeks. "Thanks, Max," she