Chapter 59 Maybe A Terrible Misunderstanding
NALA’S POV
I kept seeing things—things I didn’t want to think about, didn’t want to see. My mind was a whirlwind of memories and every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was blood. My family’s blood.
Heart racing, I tried to drag myself out of the storming memories in my head, but I couldn’t. No matter how hard I pushed, I stayed stuck there. It felt like the universe wanted me to watch. It wanted me to live in that moment and face reality for what it truly was.
I saw them again, firing at each other—my family and the intruders. Shouting. Gunshots. Bodies are moving too fast. It was chaotic and terrifying. My younger self was still hiding behind the couch, trying so hard not to make a sound, not to breathe too loud, not to be seen.
I was praying for it to stop and be the way it always used to- peaceful. But I guess that day, God was on break because my prayers didn’t get answered, instead, things got worse.
Susan ran upstairs, probably to call for help. I didn’t know if she ever did. All I knew was that later, more men came into the house. They were helping my family fight off the intruders, who were now scattered all around the property, making it almost impossible to track them.
It felt like a whole different kind of torture. I still didn’t move from my position but I could see everything. I didn’t think anyone could see me until a strange scary-looking man popped out of nowhere and jumped right in front. "Hey there little girl." He smirked
My heart stopped beating. I started screaming then shouting. It must have got him upset because he suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him "Stop shouting!"
I didn’t stop, I only screamed more as tears streamed down my face. Out of nowhere, the man was jerked away from me, I didn’t wait to see who dragged him away. I just rushed outside. There I hid the map and keys that Grandpa gave me.
When I turned around, I saw Richard and Fiona. They quickly grabbed me by my hand.
"We need to go," Richard said.
Back then I didn’t know who he was. Confusion covered my face as I asked, "Who are you?"
"Your new parents," Fiona answered.
They took me with them even though I didn’t want to go. It felt like kidnapping, like I was being dragged away from everything I knew. Now I understand it wasn’t. If there was anything they did, it was saving my life and raising me as their own.
That must have been the moment everything started. Fiona and Richard raised me far away from my real parents. I didn’t know why my parents never looked for me, when now all they seemed to want was to find me and use me to get the Ore code.
I had been an easy access point. Their people had me. Fiona and Richard could have handed me over without resistance, but they didn’t. For some reason, they kept me hidden and safe. And since Fiona and Richard saw where I buried the Ore code map, why didn’t they just tell my parents about it? I know that they are still in contact and in a good relationship so why don’t they just take the opportunity to get everything they have been wanting?
Something is definitely wrong in all of this. There has to be something I had been missing all along but more importantly, my parents might want more from me than just the way to the Ore code.
When Fiona was driving me out of the parking lot, I noticed a familiar face standing outside. I recognized him immediately.
Carlos.
What was he doing there?
~
I jolted awake, my heart trying to break out of my ribcage. I threw the covers aside, rushed into the bathroom, and emptied my stomach into the toilet.
My stomach twisted in rage. My head spun. My body felt weak and shaky. It was happening again. My sickness was spiking.
I collapsed on the bathroom floor, fighting for steady breaths. My insides felt like they were being eaten from within, and my body was struggling to hold itself together.
I hate moments like this. It’s horrible. I should just go visit a doctor but I know it won’t change anything as I have already lost more than I’m supposed to. My cells are failing me and very soon, they will be drained completely.
A sharp pain hits my stomach. I bit back a scream and clutched my stomach. I didn’t want to make any noise. I didn’t want to wake Carlos.
Blood forced its way up my throat and I coughed it out, squeezing my eyes shut as if that would somehow lessen the pain. It didn’t. Not even a fraction.
I kept coughing out blood. I didn’t even know I had that much blood in me.
Eventually, I managed to pull myself together. I stood, cleaned up the mess, wiped my mouth, and rinsed the sink before stepping out of the bathroom. Carlos was still asleep, and I felt a wave of relief. I didn’t want him to know about this.
I knew it was wrong to keep secrets from him, but I couldn’t help it. I had to. If I didn’t, it might change everything between us, and I wasn’t ready for that. I love Carlos and I just want things to work out for both of us even if it means pretending and lying to him.
I headed to the kitchen to get some water. As I grabbed a bottle, I heard the guards talking outside. Their voices were low but clear enough, and I realized they were talking about me.
"I’m telling you, she’s going to be crushed when she finds out," One guard said.
"I just pity her. If only she knew the truth. But come to think of it, she should know." He second guard said
"How would she know?" The other asked
"Because Sir Carlos can’t be just this nice and he can’t practically be in love with her because she’s the daughter of an enemy. He would never betray his family for a woman."
"You’re right… I guess. It’s gonna be bad for her when she finds out."
"Yeah definitely."
They quickly changed the subject to sports, but their words stayed with me, echoing in my head like a warning I am not supposed to ignore. It didn’t make any sense. Something was wrong, and I needed to find out what it was.
I walked back to the room. Carlos was still asleep. I lay down beside him, but I didn’t close my eyes. I didn’t want to sleep. I wanted to think. I wanted answers.
When I glanced at Carlos, my mind dragged me back to the dream. I had seen him there. What was he doing there? And why did Grandpa say Carlos’s surname before he died?
Something isn’t adding up.
Could it be that Carlos has had something to do with the attack, or is it all just a terrible misunderstanding?