Hi everyone! I am back once again! I just want you all to know, this was a really difficult chapter for me to write, especially the second half. It took me hours of staring at my screen to finally be able to write this chapter. At the end is a long authors note that I really need you all to read. But until then, ENJOY chapter 13!

"6 miles in 50 minutes….not bad Rose Hathaway." I said to myself after I finished my run. "A few more weeks and you should be getting back to you old time."

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Shit. I turned around to see a very tall and upset Russian staring down at me.

"Running." I said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. I picked up my water bottle and turned around to head back up to my room. However, the Russian was having none of that. He quickly stepped in front of me to prevent me from leaving.

"Aren't you supposed to still be in bed?" Dimitri asked and I could see the worry still in his face, even if he tries to cover it up.

"Nope, Dr. Olenski cleared me this morning. Besides, 3 weeks in bed is way too long. I was going crazy." I put on a smile, not wanting him to see my broken inside.

He shook his hands and I could see that he wanted to reach out to me, but he held himself back. "Rose, you had serious injuries. Broken ribs and you even had internal bleeding. You had surgery for goodness sakes. If I had it my way, you would still be in bed." Oh, my Russian is so protective, I thought. "Why are you pushing yourself so much Roza?" I could see hurt and sadness in his eyes.

"I just want to get back to normal." I said boldly. "You need to start up the Selection again and continue. It is not fair to the other girls."

"Well, a lot has gone on. They all understand and haven't had a single objection."

"Can I please go get cleaned up?" I asked out of nowhere. Dimitri was taken back about my bluntness but didn't deny my request.

Dimitri walked me to my room and delivered me to my ladies. "I know you do not want to do this, but we are going to need you to come and give a statement about what happened."

"Dimitri…" I started but he cut me off.

"Rose, this is not a minor case. This is with another royal family and I need all the evidence available to put those bastards behind bars and for them to never see freedom again." Dimitri had his fists clenched and I reached out and touched them. This was how Dimitri dealt with everything, he got angry and wanted justice.

"Okay. Let me get cleaned up." He nodded and I turned towards my maids to get me presentable. I did not want to do this at all; I did not want to relive it. But this will help Dimitri cope. After everything he has done for me these past few weeks, it's the least I can do.

Mia had a warm bath waiting for me and I would be lying if I said I did not enjoy it. I wanted to spend the rest of my day in the tub, but eventually I had to get out.

Jill placed my outfit on the counter top for me to get into. Both Mia and Jill were trying to get used to not helping me dress, but it has been like this. I could not allow anyone to see me naked yet. Every time, I start to think of…no, I would not allow myself to go there I forced myself to stop the thought.

I slid on my straight black pants and the simple blouse that was laid out. Whenever I go out, I try and dress simple now, I don't want all the focus on what happened.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I went right to the vanity and Jill and Mia were waiting for me. Jill started on my hair as Mia did my makeup. They tried to make some small talk but I just kept quiet.

I felt bad because I didn't want to be a bitch to them; I am just not ready for everything just quite yet. I have slowly been opening up, but it's a slow process.

They had both finished when there was a knock on the door. I rolled my eyes thinking it was Dimitri. Would he really not allow me to walk down to his office by myself?

Mia opened the door and I was actually shocked when Tasha walked in.

"Hey Rose," She said a little bit awkwardly. "I was wondering if I could just talk to you for a little bit?"

I nodded and looked over at Mia and Jill to let them know that they could leave. They both bowed their heads and left the room quickly.

"Since you were gone and then brought back, I have been trying to figure out what to say to you." She said walking around the room before sitting down on the edge of my bed. I didn't say anything; instead I just looked at her. "I am so sorry what happened to you. Obviously I do not understand or can even comprehend or begin to understand what you are feeling."

I just nodded still not trusting my words.

"I want to apologize for my behavior this entire selection." She said honestly and when I looked into her eyes, I saw that she had tears swelling up. "I have done so many things, Rose. Horrible, shameful things. Part of it was not reacting well to the stress of this, but mostly it was because I was ready to do anything to get that crown, to get to Dimitri."

I was a little shocked at myself as I got up from the vanity and sat next to her and patted her on the shoulder.

"Honestly," I started. "I don't think you need Dimitri to get anything you want out of life. You've got the drive, the talent; and probably, most importantly, you've got the ability. Half of the country would give anything to have what you have." Not only could I believe what I was saying, I couldn't believe that I actually meant every single word.

Tasha shook her head. "I didn't stand a chance, did I? It's been you the whole time."

"Not me," I admitted. "I thought it was always going to be you. Or Natalie."

"Natalie." Tasha has a disgusted laugh. "I can't believe what she did. She deserves everything that it is coming to her." We sat there in silence before she continued, "I just, I really wanted to apologize. I am so sorry for all of the rude comments and every time I took attention away from you. I'm having a hard time forgiving myself. I don't know how you could ever excuse all the things I've done to you. Even the ones you don't know were me."

"Thank you Tasha." I said earnestly.

"You're parents should be proud of everything you have endured. If my parents had any idea how low I've sunk…I don't know what they would say. If Dimitri's mother knew, I'm sure they'd have kicked me out by now. I'm not fit for this." She breathed out, struggling to confess.

I learned forward, putting my hands on hers. "I think this change of heart would prove otherwise, Tasha."

She tilted her head and gave me a sad smile. "All the same, I don't think he wants me. Especially after what has just happened. You should have seen the way he reacted the two weeks you were gone. He went crazy to find you, he really loves you. If it weren't for Norway's pride, I would have quit along time ago. You deserve this and he deserves such an amazing girl like yourself."

I reached out and hugged her. This was actually the first real contact I have had with someone in three weeks. She put her arms around me and we sat there hugging with tears streaming down our faces.

"If you want to talk at all about what happened, you know where to find me." She said with truth in her eyes.

"Thank you Tasha." I said with a small smile. "I have to go now. Dimitri said they need a statement."

We both stood up and she took my hand. "Good luck." Then she turned and left me in my room.

It took me a second to comprehend what all just happened. I cannot believe she confessed to everything and apologized. This change is Tasha was a bit weird.

Any case, I turned to the mirror to make sure that I didn't mess up my makeup or hair. When I deemed myself good to go, I threw on a pair of heels and made my way downstairs to Dimitri's study.

There was a guard at the door who opened the door for me. Dimitri was sitting at his desk with three other men across from him. When I walked in, they all stood up for me.

"Your highness," the man three men said to me with a bow. I gave them a nod and turned to Dimitri who was walking this way.

When he was next to me I took his hand and gave him a small smile. He squeezed my hand but I had to let it go.

"Rose, this is Peter Anosov." One of the men gave me a short bow. "He is our head security here." Then Dimitri turned to another man. "This is Paul Griffith, he is with Switzerland, and finally, Henry Alexander, he is from America." My body automatically stiffened when I heard that country. Dimitri seemed to notice and touched me lightly on the arm. "They are here to hear what happened. Peter is obviously representing Russia in this case, Mr. Alexander for America, and Mr. Griffith is here on a neutral and non-bias point."

I just nodded and Dimitri escorted me to his chair behind his desk. When I sat down, the three other guys took their own seats and took our pads of paper and pens. Dimitri decided that he was going to just stand behind me.

"Thank you for taking time to talk to us," Mr. Alexander said with a kind smile. "Just take your time and tell us everything that you can remember. No small detail is a wrong detail. Everything that you say will help us decide our decision and will help with the case."

"Well, I was leaving Dimitri's office heading back to my room when someone hit me on top of the head. When I came through, I was tied up to a chair in a dark room. I figured that I was in a basement since there wasn't a window and it was extremely dirty." I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to remember. "I don't know how long I was there until someone came in. They gave me some food and water and left. The next person that came in was that man-" I couldn't continue. My throat closed up and the words wouldn't come to me.

"Who came in?" Mr. Alexander said. I tensed up not wanting to relive this.

Thankfully, Dimitri came in to answer for me, "You each received a copy of the medical records. I think it is safe to say that we all know what happened next." He growled at them. He had a mask on, but I could see the anger in his eyes. Then he looked down at me, "Are you okay?"

I just nodded my head before continuing. "After he finished, the next thing I know, there is a young girl sitting next to me washing my face. All I remember is the blood, there was so much blood…" I trailed off closing my eyes. You can do this Rose, I thought, just toughen up, get through the rest, and then you can leave and never think of this again.

"Robert Dashkov came in next. He accused my father of killing Princess Grace. Said that it was suppose to be the assassination of King Viktor, but they missed. He said that he wanted to kill me for revenge. Daughter for daughter, I guess in his mind, he thought that it was a fair trade. I tried to talk to him, but he just kicked me and I was knocked out."

"Is that when the rescue team came?" Mr. Anosov asked me.

I just shake my head before continuing, "When I woke up, I tried to figure a way out of the room. I just knew that if I got out of my restraints, maybe I could find a way out of the room. Once I got freed of the chair, Robert and Viktor came in next," I knew I should have used titles, but in my eyes, they are criminals, not royalty. "He started yelling at me, and kicking." I closed my eyes trying to remember everything, but it was just too much. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I jumped. "Viktor said that they wanted me dead for Grace. Then, since I was gone, and everyone blamed Tasha, Natalie would be free to win. He was, he was going to shoot me, but Eddie shot him first. Next thing I know, I was in the hospital." I rushed everything out in a sentence and looked at Dimitri. "Am I done?"

He just nodded before I was out of my chair and walking fast out of his office. The three men tried to stand up in time but I didn't mind. Mason was waiting outside of the room with me.

"You okay?" He asked me as he followed me through the halls.

"Of course." I said shaking him off. I needed to be fine. I was Rosemarie Hathaway dammit. I was sick and tired of being a frail little girl, I was Rosemarie fucking Hathaway. A badass by nature.

"Rose, you have been through a lot this past month," Mason pointed out as we reached the ballroom. We both sat down on the steps. "No one is mad at you, we all care and want you to be okay."

"What I need is for everyone to just let me move on." I demanded. "Not people waiting around wondering if I am going to fall apart, or hovering over me. I need the Selection to continue so I can win, marry Dimitri, and be the Queen I was born to be."

Mason just nodded and stood up. He bowed to me and left me. It wasn't a second later that Dimitri sat down next to me.

"I am sorry for leaving like that." I apologized not looking at him.

He reached out and placed his hand over mine. I stiffened up a little, but his touch calmed me a bit. "It is okay, they understand."

"So have you officially started the Selection back up?" I asked after a few moments of silence.

Dimitri sighed and squeezed my hand. "Not yet, I want you to recover. The other girls understand, we want to give you time."

"Well, I have had 3 weeks, I've had my time." I declared turning to him looking him straight into his eyes.

"How can you say that? After everything? Rose, you went through a traumatic experience, and yet you are running and pushing yourself the first day you got the clearance from the doctor. What did the counselor say?"

I stood up and placed my hands on my hips and looked down on him in fury. "I don't need some damn counselor Dimitri." I yelled. "I have moved on, you need to too."

"Rose," He said angrily as he stood up and towered over me. "You had brain trauma, three broken ribs, internal bleeding that they needed to operate on so you wouldn't die. When Mason brought you in, you were so hysterical, it broke my fucking heart. They had to sedate you Rose. When you came through the first time, you started thrashing everywhere and wouldn't let anyone even touch you. You screamed 'rape' at the top of your lungs until they sedated you again. I get that you went through a traumatic time, but so did I. I am having a hard time coming to terms with what happened, and you just wake up and act like this didn't happen."

Dimitri had tears in his eyes that he was refusing to let go of. He started to reach out to touch me but then retreated. "That night, I was going to go up to my room and propose, put this whole Selection behind us. When I get there, you're gone. It took us a month to find you." This was a different side of Dimitri I don't think I have ever saw. It broke my heart to see that not only did I suffer, he was still suffering. "When they told me that they found you, Roza, I was so relieved. But then I saw you. You were screaming and there was so much blood. Mason looked like he just went to hell and back. Even he couldn't comprehend what happened. When you were sedated, you looked so haunted, it broke me. When the doctor told me that you were raped, I was about to go kill all of America, declare war at that moment. These past few weeks have been hell, Roza. All I want to do is hold you in my arms and never let you go, but I am afraid of hurting you."

I reached up and wiped a tear that managed to escape. "Dimitri," I said, but not finding words. So I just reached forward and placed my hands around his waist hugging him. This was the most human contact that I have had since the kidnapping. I thought I would be afraid, but in his arms was where I felt safe. He instinctively wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him tight.

"I was going to send you home once the doctors told me you were cleared to travel. But I can't live my life without you, Roza. I know that is selfish, but I can't. After what happened," He said kissing the top of my head. "I never want to live a day without you."

I looked up to see him staring down at me. "I love you so much Roza,"

"It was horrible." I cried. "I don't want to be weak Dimitri. All I wanted was to be with you, for you to save me. I don't want to cry about this anymore. I just want to be with you. I love you."

"You love me?" He asked putting his hands on my face. I just nodded as tears fell from my eyes.

"But I'm damaged now," I said.

"No you are not Roza," He said sternly. "No matter what happened, no matter what will ever happen, you are the most beautiful girl I have ever met. You have such a large heart, and you are so strong and brave. If this happened to anyone else, I do not think they would be recovering like you. You are so strong Roza, and I love you like crazy, not matter what."

I reached up and kissed him. This wasn't going to be easy. I still woke up every night in cold sweat, I won't let anyone touch me, and I refused to talk to anyone about what happened. But this man, this wonderful, god-like man, still loved me.

Out of everyone, I could touch him and let him touch me. I could talk about what happened with him. I feel safe with him.

Dimitri picked me up bridal style and carried me upstairs to my room. Mia and Jill were there, but he dismissed them. He laid me down on my bed and tucked me into bed. "This is not going to be easy Roza, and it is going to be hard work, but you, we, will get through this." I just nodded and he reached and kissed my forehead. "Tomorrow, you will go see the counselor. Understand?" He gave me a look that told me I should not argue with him.

I just nodded my head and he smiled and left the room, leaving me to finally sleep.

This chapter was hard for me to write because I simply do not know how to write an "after-rape" scene. When I started writing this story, I didn't think of rape at all, but as the story went on, it just happened. I think it is also a way to spread light on such a horrible experience that so many women go through. I also think this is a way to make Rose even more tougher than before. At the beginning of the chapter, she was acting like it never happened, "You fake it till you make it", but after Dimitri had her make her statement; she was sort of forced to come head on with the whole experience. Then, with Dimitri opening up to her about how he was feeling, I believe it is going to allow her to really come head on with her experience and really accept it.

With that being said, I cannot wait to get my next chapter out there. Things are going to get better and the Selection will continue! Please review and let me know what you all thought. Also, don't be afraid to tell me your thoughts and theories about what will happen later on in the story. It was actually a reviewer's idea who private messaged me about the rape scene and how to write it in. I love hearing your opinions!