A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
Chapter 29
“She is waking up.”
I heard from beside me as I tried to open my eyes.
“Chloe?”
Someone called, taking my hand. It felt rough.
My vision was still blurry and my head was pounding at the back.
“Chloe?”
I closed my eyes and opened it again, Adrian’s grey eyes stared at me with relief.
“Adrian?”
“Oh my…Chloe.”
Karen’s voice came from behind him, she moved closer and hugged me.
“I’m glad you’re okay.”
She said when she pulled away.
“How do you feel?” He asked staring at my face like he didn’t recognize me.
“Funny.”
“I will call the Doctor.”
He gave my hand a squeeze and left.
I took in my surrounding, there was another patient at my left.
I looked down at the blue hospital gown, I never thought I’d wear this.
I shut my eyes and took a deep breath as I recalled what happened.
“Where is Tristan?”
I asked with my eyes still closed, I waited for an answer but got none.
I opened my eyes and gave Karen a questioning look, she looked uncomfortable.
The door opened when I opened my mouth to ask again. Adrian walked in with a male Doctor, the Doctor smiled at me as he got closer.
“Hi, I’m Doctor Micheal.”
“Hi,” I mumbled.
“How are you feeling?”
“My head hurts.”
“Anything else?”
“No.”
“Okay Miss, I will need you to cooperate with me.”
“Okay,” I nodded.
“How many fingers do you see?”
“Three.”
I hated this, it felt so childish.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
I almost rolled my eyes at him.
“How many do you see now?”
“Two.”
I replied with a bored look.
He took a glance at Adrian and Karen, they all shared a weird look.
“What?”
I asked feeling left out.
“We are going to keep you here for some days to make sure there’s no brain injury.”
“How many days?”
I mumbled.
“Four or five. Have a nice day, Miss.”
He gave my shoulder a light squeeze and left with his wide smile.
“Is it that bad?”
I asked, looking at them with a frown.
“I’m sure you’ll be out of here at the end of this week.”
Karen said with a broad smile.
“I hope so.”
I took a glance at my roommate, it was an old lady with a broken leg that was hung up, she was still sleeping.
“Where is Tri…”
“We’ll be right back, let’s get you something to eat.”
Adrian cut me off, he took Karen’s hand and I watched them leave.
They were avoiding the question, smart.
I felt a strong urge to pee, I got down from the bed. I rolled the pole where the IV was hanging as I walked to the bathroom.
I did my business and decided to rinse my face, I walked to the small mirror hanging above the washbasin.
I gasped when I saw the person staring at me in the mirror, the left side of my face was covered in bruises and small cuts which had band-aids over it.
The small cut in the middle of my left eyebrow caught my attention the most, did the bedlamp break on my face?
I shook my head and took a deep breath, it wasn’t his fault. I rinsed my face and returned to the room, I wanted to make a call but I didn’t have my phone.
Adrian and Karen arrived with takeout. I sat up in bed and watched them set everything in front of me.
“Bon Appetit.”
Karen said and stepped back.
I stared at the food in front of me and looked back at them.
“What’s wrong? You don’t like it?”
Adrian asked.
“Or do you want me to feed you?”
Karen asked. They both looked confused.
“Where is Tristan? And don’t lie to me.”
“He is okay, he’s somewhere safe.”
“Somewhere safe? Where?”
He groaned taking a glance at Karen.
“He was taken to the rehab.”
“What? Are you sure he….”
“We can talk about this later, eat.”
He cut in with a serious tone.
I ate the food with no appetite, my roommate was already awake but she stayed quiet.
Karen packed everything when I was done. I turned my attention to Adrian when she was done.
“He is receiving treatment, he will be fine.”
“He didn’t mean to hurt you; when he realized what he had done he went crazy. He called me and we called for help”
“Well, I hope he gets better.”
I said.
“Sorry we have to leave but we’ll be back in the evening.”
“It’s okay, thanks for being here.”
They both gave me a hug and left.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
Mrs. Sanchester and Nana came to see me the next day. I felt sad when she broke down, apologizing for what happened.
They stayed the whole day and left when it was almost midnight.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
The next three days in the hospital was boring, my roommate didn’t like me for a reason only known to her.
I asked if I could speak to Tristan but I was told he didn’t want to talk to me and they all agreed it was better for him not to contact me since he was still being treated.
I was so happy when I was informed I was getting discharged the next day.
It was my last day and Vina promised to visit. She arrived with my favourite milkshake.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
Morris took me home after I got discharged, he kept looking at me with pity.
“If you need anything, Miss Simpson, I’m here.”
He told me when we entered the house.
The house felt so empty as I climbed the stairs, I wondered how long he was going to be at rehab.
I entered my room and took a proper bath. I wore Burgundy leggings and white singlet.
I sat on the floor in front of the transparent wall. I stared at the pool recalling the night I showed him the scar on my back.
Tristan might be a cold person but he was better than all the guys I dated, he didn’t hurt me on purpose, he was trying to be a better person even with his PTSD.
I left my room after some hours and I found myself in his room, his furniture was replaced and the room looked new.
I laid on his bed and closed my eyes.
“It’s not your fault.”
I whispered and tried to catch some sleep.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
It’s been seven weeks in the house without Tristan, I stayed in my room keeping myself busy with school work.
My phone rang, I knew it was Vina as I tapped the answer button.
“Hey.”
I said tiredly.
“Chloe.”
My heartbeat paused.
“Dad?”
“Can we meet?”
“Meet?…Yes…where?”
“I will text you the address.”
“Okay.”
A big smile decorated my face as I changed into black jeans and a peplum top.
I was too excited to bother about his reason for wanting to see me.
We were meeting at his favourite restaurant.
I arrived before my dad, I took a seat and waited outside. I felt nervous all of a sudden. I really missed my family, it’s been five months since I last saw them.
I didn’t know his reason for the sudden meeting, was I suppose to be excited or angry?
I know they kicked me out and I should be mad at them for not believing me but I wanted to see him. After everything that has happened, it just made me realize if I ever did something disgraceful to my family, they’d abandon but without blinking.
But my dad was coming to see me today, maybe something happened at home. I was glad he was coming cause even if all these were true, he still loved me and wanted to see me.
“Chloe?”
I heard my dad’s voice from behind, I stood up and faced.
“Hi, dad.”
I forced a smile.
“You look taller.”
He said staring at me from my head down to my feet.
“It’s been five months, ” I felt angry all of a sudden.
“Let’s sit, please.”
We took our seats and ordered different drinks. I was disappointed my mom and sister didn’t come, not like I expected them to.
“How are you?” He asked.
“How do I look?”
“Happy and healthy. Better than I expected.”
“I’m happy, I am.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“How is Ciara?”
“She was offered a job in Seattle, so she left”
“Wow, and she didn’t tell me, how long?”
“Last month.”
“What about mom?”
“She is doing okay, she misses you.”
I knew that was a lie.
“Sure,” I forced a smile, not like any of this was true.
“How is….uhm..the baby and your…..your boyfriend?”
“I had a miscarriage.”
No one would buy the lie anymore.
“Ohh, I’m so sorry about that. How are you holding up?”
“It’s been a month, I’m better.”
“I…I didn’t know.”
“Please, no one else should know. We don’t want it getting out.”
“Okay. If you need anything, let me know.”
“I won’t. Tell mom I’m still alive.”
I told him and stood up to leave.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
I was exhausted when I got home, I stretched after taking off my sneakers.
I heard a noise from the kitchen, Morris must be making dinner.
I felt dehydrated from today’s sun, I dropped my bag and walked to the kitchen.
“Hey, Morris.”
I said opening the fridge.
I took one bottle of water and faced him with a wide smile but my smile fell when I saw Tristan staring at me.
His stubble was now replaced with a beard, he gave me a small smile, guilt was evident in his eyes.
“I know you hate me now for…”
“Shut up.”
I cut in and walked to where he was, I wrapped my arms around him welcoming the familiar scent that filled my nose.
“I’m glad you’re back and I don’t hate you.”
“I’m so sorry, Cassie.”
He whispered and pecked my head, he wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me.
“I’m sorry.”
He said again.
We stayed quiet not pulling away, I really missed him.
“Are you hungry?”
I asked when we separated.
“I’m a h©rrible person. I shouldn’t have, I should have….”
“Tristan, it’s okay.”
“No, none of this is okay. I fking hit you with a lamp. How is that okay?”
“Yes you did but you were not yourself. Trust me, I’m so mad at you for targetting my face.”
I said trying to make him laugh but it didn’t work.
“I have never hit a lady, Cassie. This is going to haunt me for the rest of my life. I…”
“I can cook pasta now. Morris taught me.”
I cut in moving closer to stand beside him. I flashed him a smile as I brought out the spices.
“We need to talk, Cassie.”
“I know but I’m sick of the guilt speech. I feel awful too Tristan, for not doing enough to help.”
“You have no idea how much your presence in this house means to me.”
He said with a sad smile, I smiled back.
Everyone deserved a chance. I had faith that he was going to get better and I wanna be here to help.
He was human and he had flaws like everyone else, and he never intended to hurt me.
“I could teach you how to make my Nana’s favourite food.”
He offered.
“Okay, I’m in.”
I said with a clap.
I realized he was still staring at me, I smiled at him and reached for the frying pan behind him. He took my arm and pulled me closer, he pecked me softly before pulling away.
“Thanks for staying.”
“Thanks for not killing me.”
I said jokingly.
“I’m really sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”
“It’s fine, shall we?”
It was best to bury that memory.
“Sure.”
“When did you get here?”
“Last night?”
“Wait, what?”
“You were already sleeping and you looked so tired, you were gone before I left my room this morning.”
“My dad called, he wanted to see me.”
He looked tense.
“I told him I had a miscarriage.”
I expected him to be upset but he laughed instead.
“We should make that official.”
“What about your mom?”
“I will tell her the truth.”
Cooking with Tristan was annoying and fun at the same time, he was bossy in the kitchen but I made sure to piss him off when I had the chance.
The food was great and to be honest, I forgot how it was made after an hour.
I wanted to ask about his treatment but a part of me knew he won’t tell me.
Today had to be the best day of my life since the incident.
The bodyguards were fired, I wasn’t sure if the person was satisfied.
Whoever it was, I hope he or she was happy now.
We both stayed awake in bed, I snuggled closer to him in the dark. I knew he was still awake, his beard grazed my cheek.
“Are you still having nightmares?”
I asked quietly.
“Yeah but not every day.”
“Were you badly hurt?”
He asked after a while.
“No.”
“I’m sorry for hurting you, I will say that every day”
I smiled in the dark.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
I woke up when I heard a noise outside, I untangled myself from Tristan’s arms and checked the time, it was past two in the morning.
I took a glance at Tristan and got down quietly from the bed to avoid waking him up.
I left the room to check if it was Morris. I saw a silhouette from where I stood at the stairs.
“Morris?”
I asked going down with steady steps, I found the switch at the staircase and turned the lights on.
It wasn’t Morris, I was sure of that, the tall form and slim legs convinced me it was someone else. The person took off before I could take a good look.
“Hey!”
I ran down the stairs and followed.
The person had a black hoodie on and looked too slim to be Morris, it had to be the person tormenting Tristan with those memories from his past.
I ran faster, thank God for those laps my P.E coach forced me to finish back in high school.
I was gaining on the person, we ran past the pool to the other side of the yard.
“Stop!”
I yelled.
I increased my speed and knocked the person down, I pulled the hood down and my eyes couldn’t believe who I was staring at.
“No way.”
I mumbled.
“No way.”
I mumbled in utter shock.
“Karen?”
“Hi, Chloe.”
She said with an evil smile not bothered about being caught.
“You have been the one all along? Why?”
“I wish I have time for chit chat but I don’t. Sorry I have to do this.”
She $tabbed my neck with a syringe before I could process her last sentence.
I collapsed on the ground like a lifeless being, I felt numb. I couldn’t move any part of my body. I felt paralyzed from my head down, I could only move my eyes.
“What did you do?”
I asked her as she stood up with that evil smile.
“Don’t worry, it will wear off in three hours.”
She said, squatting beside me, she stroked my hair like she wanted to put me to sleep.
“I hate people getting in my way, you shouldn’t have come after me.”
She said and pulled my hair. She stood up glaring at me.
“Why are you doing this?”
She cackled at my question.
“Isn’t it obvious? To make him suffer for what he did to Fiona.”
Who the he.ll was Fiona?
“What did he do to her?”
“I don’t have time to talk, I need to get back to my real boyfriend before he wakes up and find me gone. Stupid Adrian thinks I’m in Miami, Fiancè my ass. I have not seen my boyfriend for a year because of him, I can’t wait for this to be over.”
She grunted and rolled her eyes.
“But first, I need to make sure my secret is safe ”
She walked away and returned with the net used for cleaning the pool.
What was she going to do with that? I hope it wasn’t what I was thinking.
“I’m so sorry Chloe, you are such a nice kid even with your bchy attitude.”
She said maliciously, her eyes looked wicked.
She held the metal handle up, she smiled at me before hitting my head, like the first one, wasn’t enough, she hit me harder again, I blacked out completely.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
I groaned as I tried to open my eyes, my head was hurting like hell, it was like a marathon was going on in there.
I allowed my eyes to adjust to the white ceiling, was this heaven? Was I dead already? I never got to expose Karen and I never got to tell Tristan I love him.
I felt a movement beside me, I turned my head and saw Tristan sleeping. He was sitting on a wooden seat with his head resting on the bed.
I was still alive! I could expose Karen! I smiled and touched his face, thank God I could move my body.
I ignored the pounding in my head, his thick eyelashes fluttered then his eyes opened.
“Hey,” I whispered.
I could barely recognize my own voice.
“Cassie.”
He stood up, staring at me like I wasn’t real. He leaned closer and placed a peck on my head.
“You woke up.”
He whispered, caressing my cheeks.
“I’m so sorry.”
He looked so drained.
I smiled weakly at him, brushing my thumb against his face.
“I’m so sorry, Cassie.”
He looked like he was about to break down.
The door opened, Adrian walked in holding Karen’s hand, my hand dropped from Tristan’s face.
“You!”
I glared at her. I hated how weak my voice sounded.
“It’s her.”
I said hoarsely, I wished my throat didn’t feel so dry.
“What?”
Tristan asked looking behind him.
“It was Karen, she did this to me. She has been the one all along.”
They all shared a confused look and stared at me like I was crazy.
“It’s okay, the Doctor said you’ll have difficulty recalling what happened.”
“I’m fine, Tristan. She was there yesterday.”
“Cassie, it’s been three weeks.”
“What?”
I mumbled.
“I would never hurt you, Chloe, you’re like a sister to me.”
Karen said sweetly.
“Shut up!”
The pounding in my head increased.
“Hey, calm down.”
“You guys have to believe me, I caught her that night. She injected me with something and hit me on the head, I’m not lying!”
I screamed, getting frustrated.
The heart monitor began to beep and the pounding in my head worsened.
“I will get a Doctor.”
Tristan ran out of the room.
“Chloe, relax. You’re hurting yourself.”
Adrian said while Karen smiled wickedly beside him. I wish he could turn and see the look on her face.
“Don’t worry you’re gonna be okay.”
Karen said softly with a smile that seemed to be mocking me.
“You’re despicable.”
I said shaking my head at her in pure disgust.
The heart monitor was not helping the pounding in my head. I felt weak and my heartbeat increased.
“I think it’s getting worse.”
Adrian whispered staring at me and at the heart monitor.
The door burst open, a young Doctor walked in with a male nurse.
His round glasses made him look younger, his grey eyes smiled at me as he approached the bed with long strides.
I tried to even my breathing but I couldn’t, he took a glance at the heart monitor and outstretched his hand to the petite nurse.
He gave him the syringe laid inside the steel tray, he smiled at me as he checked the IV connected to my hand.
I turned my gaze to Tristan, he gave me a soft smile. The bags in his eyes were visible from here, something pierced my arm.
My body relaxed and my eyes closed slowly, I allowed the sleep to drown me.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
When I woke up no one was in the room, I stared blankly at the ceiling.
How could they not believe me?
No one ever believes me, it was like a curse.
Tristan said it’s been three weeks, did Vina know? What about my family?
The door opened, Tristan walked in with a plastic bag. He gave me a warm smile as he walked to the bed.
“You’re awake. I brought you something to eat.”
“I’m not hungry.”
I said plainly and looked away.
“Okay, what’s wrong?”
He taking, taking the seat next to the bed.
“What’s wrong?”
I turned to look at him.
“I told you the person behind my attack and the person responsible for the stuff you found in your room, and you all thought I was ¢razy.”
“I have only known Karen for like three months, she is not the one and the Doctor said…”
“Fk what the Doctor said! I am fine. I remember everything from that night.”
He groaned and ran both hands down his face.
“I am not making this up!”
I almost screamed getting more frustrated.
“You have an internal injury in your brain and the Doctors….”
“Why won’t you believe me? If no one would, you should.”
I cut in with tears in my eyes.
“I’m sorry you got involved in this, it’s my fault. Karen didn’t even know until she got back from her trip.”
He said taking my other hand.
I didn’t say anything, Karen had this planned out. She lied about her trip, he won’t believe me if I told him it was a lie.
“You were almost dead when I found you, I thought you were in the bathroom when I didn’t find you in the bed. I called your name but you didn’t answer, so I stood up and went to check but it was empty.”
“I checked your room but didn’t find you, I went downstairs and found the back door open, I saw your body floating in the pool when I came out, you were almost dead”
I saw tears welling up in his eyes.
I couldn’t believe that wtch dumped my body in the pool.
“Do you know how it felt watching the Doctors trying to revive you, trying to bring you back? I thought I had lost you.”
A tear escaped from his left eye, I was in tears too.
He stood up and leaned closer to my face, he wiped my tears away with his thumbs and pecked my eyelids.
“I’m so sorry, Cassie.”
He whispered. I moved my hand where the IV was connected and wiped the tear that had escaped from his eyes.
“We’ll catch however this mon$ter is, I promise.”
It’s Karen!!!
I wanted to scream
“Now, will you eat something?”
He asked, sitting back on his seat.
I wish he’d believe, his enemy was closer to him than he thought. I have to figure out another way to expose her.
“Yeah.”
“I was going to force you anyway.”
He said, emptying the content of the plastic bag.
Three weeks? I was unconscious for three weeks? Did Karen do anything to him? His nightmares?
He looked very tired, had he been spending the night here with his head on the bed?
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
He asked cocking a brow, I forgot how good-looking he was, those blue eyes that reminded me of the ocean, he shaved his beards? Why?! I wanted him to carry it for a long time but his stubble was still okay.
“So, I was dead?”
I said avoiding his question.
“You could say that.”
“Wow.”
I mumbled, shaking my head in disbelief.
“Eat up.”
“Did my best friend call?”
“Yeah, she was here two days ago. I already informed her you’re awake but she has exams today, she said she’d come in the evening.”
“I can’t wait.”
I sighed in relief.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
Vina was already in tears when she entered the room, she cried for half an hour before saying a word.
“You smudged your eyeliner.”
I told her immediately she stopped crying.
“Seriously? I just emptied my tear sac because of you and that’s all you can say?”
She frowned.
I laughed and hugged her with my free arm.
“I love you,” I told her with a pout.
“I love you too, I’m glad you’re okay.”
“How was your paper?”
“I don’t wanna talk about it.”
She grunted.
“Do you remember anything from that night?”
“Yesss.”
I adjusted on the bed ready to tell her, Vina would believe me.
“Really?”
She sounded surprised.
“What? You also believe I’m ¢razy?”
“No, it is just that the Doctor said…”
“I remember everything, why won’t anyone believe me?”
I cut in.
“I believe you, tell me what you remember.”
She said with a soft smile.
“It was, Karen.”
Her jaw slightly dropped.
“Adrian Parker’s Fiancè?”
I nodded, I went on and told her everything that happened that day.
“That’s….that’s…I don’t know what to say. She wanted you dead?”
“Yes!”
“They don’t believe you at all?”
“No one ever believes me, well except you.”
“The Doctor told us you will have a hard time recalling what happened and you might make up something.”
“That’s stupid.”
“I’m so happy to see you. When the Doctor’s confirmed you dead, I almost past out. Your boyfriend went crazy and tried to beat up the Doctors, they had to try again, thank God they did.”
I smiled at her.
“We’ll expose that wretch, we’ll find a way.”
“We will.”
I said with a smile.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
Tristan’s family came to see me the next day. They brought donuts and cupcakes, they stayed the whole afternoon.
I was so exhausted after they left, Tristan left with them to get some clothes from the house.
I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, I groaned internally when the door opened. I knew it wasn’t Tristan cause he just left. I pretended to be asleep.
“Oh, our little princess is having a nap,” My eyes flashed open at the voice.
“What do you want?” I asked glaring at Karen’s evil form, I couldn’t believe I was once jealous of her.
She took tentative steps toward me, her stiletto heels made spooky sounds that reminded me of an Asian h©rror movie, the sly smile on her red lips widened as she stopped in front of me.
“Lucky you, you got another chance to live.”
“I know right, your plan failed,” I said with a smile.
“Not really, as long as everyone thinks you’re ¢razy. No one is going to believe you, stop trying.”
“We’ll see about that.”
I said boldly.
She chuckled shaking her head, her large curls bounced over her shoulders.
Suddenly the look on her face changed, she gave me a dangerous look.
“If you get in my way,”
She gripped my hair pulling it, I yelped in pain.
“I will destroy you, you won’t be alive to see your boyfriend suffer to the point of taking his own life.”
“Stop.”
I groaned.
I searched for the emergency button with my hand.
“Uh uh… I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
She snared, stopping my hand. She pressed the needle connected to the back of my palm from the IV, I was scared it would break.
I screamed in pain, it was unbearable.
“Last warning Chloe, stay out of my way.”
She let go of me and pulled away.
“What did he do?”
I asked in tears.
“He killed my best friend, he killed both of them.”
I saw tears in her eyes.
“You don’t know the monster you’re living with.”
She said and left the room.
I arched my back in pain, tears brimmed at the edge of my eyes.
A Doctor and two nurses rushed in asking questions but I ignored them.
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
I was given sedative last night so I could sleep.
I didn’t say anything about last night, I tried to act okay in front of Tristan.
The Doctor in charge of me informed me he was travelling, so I had a new Doctor.
I hope he was nice too, Tristan left to get breakfast while I waited for my new Doctor to show up and do his rounds.
The back of my palm was swollen from yesterday, they had to move the IV to my other hand.
The door opened, I adjusted my hand on the bed and faced the doorway, my breath ceased.
This was not real, it couldn’t be.
“Dominiano?”
“Surprise.”
A LIAR AT THE ALTAR: CHAPTER 21 – 30
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