Chapter 65: A PAST THAT CAN'T BE CHANGED

Tears filled my ears as I gasped for air. How can he do this to me? What did I do to deserve this? I never knew that this was the hell Alda was dealing with. If I could take things back, I wouldn't have invited Seth for a drink that night.

I wouldn't have slept with my best friend's husband. What have I gotten myself into?

“Miss, are you okay?” I looked up to find the doctor from earlier, worriedly staring at me.

“I'm fine.” I replied, wiping my tears away. 

“You don't look fine to me.”

“I said I'm fine! I just want to be discharged.” 

“Are you sure about that? You still need to rest.”

“I will be fine; I just want to go home. It's my little sister’s birthday, and I need to go see her.”

“Very well then, I will send someone your way.” I watched the doctor leave. I took a deep breath, gathering enough air into my lungs. That made me feel a little better. 

Alda, what have you done to me? Why can't you just remain dead the way you are?

“Miss,” I said, looking up and seeing a nurse staring down at me. When did she even walk in here?”

“What do you want?” I asked her.

“I'm here to give you your belongings as per the doctor’s instructions.

“Am I free to go?”

“He said you should dress up and meet him in his office.”

“Okay, I will be right down.”

Once she was gone, I got out of my hospital gown and into my dress. I packed up my stuff and headed down to the doctor's office. I wonder why he wants to see me. I made sure I covered the bruises Seth left around my neck with my scarf.

“You wanted to see me,” I said to the doctor sitting in the chair across his desk.

“Yes, I want you to leave your urine for more tests.”

“But you said I only needed a blood sample, which I have already given to you.”

“It's not a hard task, Miss Anna; just leave it behind. Come back tomorrow and get your results. Now, if you would excuse me, I have patients to attend to. I will have one of the nurses attend to you.”

I just couldn't get the reason why he requested my urine, and with the way he sounded, I don't think he was planning on telling me why.I just followed the nurse, gave her what was asked of me, and left for the hospital where Christabel was being treated.

My mum is going to be angry at me for being late. Christabel has had leukaemia since birth; she has been our family's little secret. After she was born, a lot of things turned around for my family. My dad left us and married someone else.

He has never come to visit or sent some money to my mum for our upkeep. Tears became my mum’s best friend. She was left to take care of my sister and me. I was only fourteen when my dad left, and Christabel was just three.

When my dad discovered that she had cancer of the blood, he dumped everything on my mum. My life became a living hell. I dropped out of school and started attending one of the local schools in town.

My mum made me study day and night until I was able to get a scholarship from my tenth grade to my twelveth grade. It was one of the biggest and most expensive schools in town, and at first I felt left out.

Other students called me poor and filthy, all except for Alda. She made my days a little better and easier, and we became best friends.

She even helped me get into my dream college through her dad, but I never told her I had a sister because my mum told me not to. 

I passed by a cake store and stopped to get something for Christabel. It was her seventh birthday after all.

I couldn't decide on a gift for her, so I decided to ask her instead. When the cab driver pulled up in front of the hospital, I paid him and exited the car. I took a deep breath and adjusted the scarf around my neck before heading inside. 

I knocked on her door before stepping inside.

“Who is the birthday girl!?” I excitedly said. But she didn't even acknowledge my presence. I dropped the cake on the table and sat besides her.

"Christabel, what's wrong? Why the wrong face on your birthday?”

“Because it is not supposed to be celebrated. I caused everything; dad left mum because of me. You had to go through all the suffering you went through because of me.” I was shocked; she was too little to understand a thing back then. How did she know?

"Christabel, who told you that?”

“Dad came over to confirm if I'm dead.” 

“What?” She smiled and wiped the tears running down her face.

“He came a few minutes ago and got into a fight with Mom. I know I shouldn't have listened to their conversations, but when he came, I saw the anger in Mum’s eyes. I followed them out, and someone had them talking about me.

I never knew Dad left because of me. I thought he had his reasons, but I never thought it was me.”

"Christabel, that's not true; he left because he was a coward who ran away from his responsibility. Don't ever blame yourself because of that good-for-nothing idiot.”

I hate him; I hated my dad for leaving us behind. I hated him for abandoning us when we needed him the most. I grew up with that hatred in my heart. 

“I'm sorry, sis. I wish I came to you guys as a healthy baby, but then again, I never created myself. I don't want to be a burden to anyone anymore; I just want to go home.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? You know you need your medication to survive. You can't leave until the doctor says so, huh? Okay, I promise to buy you anything once you get discharged by the doctor. Christabel, please don't listen to whatever he says.”

“I know you and mum love me, but what if I don't want this life anymore? Most of my life was spent in the hospital. I never get to do things that other kids would do. I feel like a prisoner, and I want to be free.”

“Then what about us? We have been fighting to see that you get all your treatment; do you actually think it is fair to us? Do you think it is fair to mum!? You don't have any right to die, so stay alive and make me and my mum proud.”

I was angry, but not at her. I have always asked God why he had to be unfair to my family. That's why I envied Alda; she has always had a perfect life.

She has never lacked anything in her life. When we were in school, I used to wish I had her life, but all in all, I have always been envious of Alda's parents. I literally stick close to Alda for my own benefit.

My mum entered the room looking devastated. I walked up to her and hugged her. 

“I'm sorry, mum, but I want you to know that you have me and Christabel; that's all that matters.”

“Let's just kill this mood. Today is Christabel’s birthday, so why are we crying? Sweetie, let’s make a wish,” she said, hiding the pain and sadness in her eyes as she replaced them with a smile. 

She has always been good at hiding her emotions, but as I grew up, I always found her crying a couple times in the bathroom. She smiles and tries to be okay, but she is never fine.

I just want to see her smile without the pain and sadness in her eyes.

Alda's POV

“You look beautiful,” Xender said, complementing my outfit.

“Thank you.” Even though he gave me credit for my dressing, I could still feel he was angry at me.

“Shall we?” He asked, offering me his hand. I took it and smiled at him. It's been thirty minutes since Siofra left, and she hasn't returned.

I was getting more anxious with every passing minute. Maybe I shouldn't have sent her after Seth.

“Alda, are you okay?” Xender asked when he noticed the distress on my face.

“I'm fine,” I simply replied.

“You look tensed.”

“I'm just nervous; meeting your family and all is just leaving me tensed."

“You don't have to worry; they will love and welcome you. Before we leave, I want you to wear this.” He took my hand and placed a ring on it.

“Just to not get them suspicious. You can always take it off after dinner.” I stared at the beautiful diamond ring on my finger, and that brought back memories—memories I wish I could erase from my mind.

They were happy memories, but they have somehow come to hunt me.

“Alda” Siofra's voice jotted me back to reality. She was back.

“Oh my God, thank goodness you are back.”

“Yeah, I'm also glad, but you need to stop talking to me. Xender is staring at you, and remember, you don't have that little bug to confuse him." She said it in a whisper, causing me to turn and stare at Xender, who rested his back against his car, waiting for me.

“Fine, but can you fill me in as we go?”

“Not really because you might be a little shocked with what I discovered; I wonder why I never noticed that before, but let's just wait until the dinner is over.”

“You should know by now that I hate being curious, so let me ask one simple question, and you will reply with yes or no.”

“Fine, ask”

“Does he suspect that I'm Alda?”

“Well yes, I mean, why wouldn't he?”

“Oh my God, maybe showing up in front of him was a bad idea.”

“Relax; he still believes you are someone else, although he sent someone to gather all the information about you.” I took a deep breath and glared at Siofra.

“You could have answered me with yes or no.”

“It doesn't matter, but I think you should get going already, or Xender will start getting suspicious again.”

“Fine, make sure you tell me everything after the dinner; I really need to know what that beast is after.”

“Fine, now go.”

I replaced the frown on my face with a smile as I approached Xender. He opened the front door for me, and I thanked him.

“Alda, are you sure you are okay? I thought I saw you talking to yourself.”

“That's because I needed to say some words of encouragement to myself.” I simply replied before putting on my seat belt.

“Are you ready for this?” Xender asked just after we were seated and ready to go.

“I'm ready for anything; let's go.”