Chapter 20: ; The Truth

Following the incident with Eunice, Cheska decided to confront her and ask for her forgiveness.

"Please forgive me, Eunice," Cheska implored.

"It's alright, Cheska. I've already moved on. And don't worry, my father will never find out about what happened in Sapphire City," Eunice reassured her with a warm smile, easing Cheska's concerns.

However, Cheska knew that she needed some space from Matthew after revealing her situation to him. She asked him to keep his distance, especially when Eunice was around.

"I understand your request, Cheska. But let me remind you that after I finish preparing for the upcoming festival, we need to talk," Matthew responded thoughtfully.

Although Cheska knew it was inevitable, she was not ready for that conversation. To avoid any further confrontation, she agreed to it.

Adding to her troubles, the council went ahead with the ritual for new pack members.

Now, Cheska finds herself in the backyard, pleading with her wolf to cooperate. "I know I made a mistake, and I understand that you're hurt and angry with me. But, are you seriously going to ignore me and prevent us from joining the Sapphire pack?" Cheska pleaded with her wolf while meditating under the tree.

Ever since her altercation with Eunice, Cheska's wolf had been distant, and she couldn't blame her. After all, Cheska had almost put their lives in danger to protect the pack.

Suddenly, Cheska's mother appeared, interrupting her thoughts.

"Hmm, looks like you're having a bad day," her mother stated with a half-smile on her face.

Cheska looked up and responded, "Mom, don't worry, I'm just asking my wolf for guidance."

Cheska had kept her mother in the dark about what had happened with Eunice and her health issues, so she was not aware of the situation.

Her mother let out a sigh and sat next to her. "Cheska, I'm your mother. I can tell when something is bothering you," she said, gently taking Cheska's hand.

Cheska lowered her head, trying to hide her eyes from her mother's gaze, but her evasive behavior only heightened her mother's suspicions.

"Did Matthew and Eunice have something to do with this? I've been watching the three of you, and it seems like something is going on," her mother probed further.

Cheska knew that her mother would eventually find out, but she wasn't ready to reveal the truth about Matthew being her mate and the love triangle between them and Eunice. She needed a believable excuse.

"Mom, nothing is going on between us. The reason why I've been avoiding everyone is because of my health issues," Cheska explained, revealing to her mother the doctor's findings.

Her mother's face twisted into a frown. "What's wrong with you? Did you see our doctor?" she asked, firing off questions in rapid succession.

"I have Dissociative Identity Disorder," Cheska explained, her voice tinged with sadness as she looked at her mother.

Her mother was initially shocked by the revelation and remained silent for a moment. Cheska continued to explain.

"Sometimes, I lose consciousness, and the other side of me takes full control of my body," Cheska revealed.

As Cheska spoke, her mother's expression shifted, and her eyes widened as if she had remembered something significant.

"The change in your speech and manners was caused by your disorder?" her mother asked, seeking confirmation.

Cheska nodded, explaining that the doctor had suggested it could have resulted from a traumatic event in her childhood. As she looked at her mother, she sensed that something terrible must have happened to cause her disorder.

"Mom, please tell me the truth. Did something happen to me when I was young?" Cheska asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Cheska's mother grasped her hand tightly and looked at her with a serious expression. "When you turn five, something changes," she said with conviction, and Cheska hung on to her every word.

It was at five years old that Cheska's father had died. She had no memories of him, and her mother had been unwilling to share any details.

"Can you recall anything about your father's death?" her mother asked, sounding hesitant.

Cheska's voice was apologetic as she replied, "I'm sorry, Mom. I can't remember anything about him, not even what he looked like."

Her mother smiled sadly. "As much as I wanted you to remember your father, it might be better if you didn't. There were some unpleasant things that happened when he was around."

Cheska couldn't help but wonder what her father had done that was so terrible. Was there something that she had blocked out from her memory?

Cheska furrowed her brows in confusion. "What are you talking about, Mom? My father...although I don't remember him, I'm sure he was a good father to me," she firmly stated.

Her mother smiled sadly and gently caressed Cheska's face. "Yes, he was a loving father," she agreed before taking a deep breath. "But the reason for your disorder is because of a traumatic experience you had when your father died."

Cheska's heart dropped as her mother's words sunk in. "What do you mean? How is my father's death connected to my disorder?" she asked, feeling a sense of foreboding.

Her mother hesitated before finally answering, "Your father died protecting you from a group of rogues who were trying to abduct you."

Cheska felt her world shake as her mother's words hit her. It was her fault that her father had died. She was to blame once again. She looked away, unable to bear the weight of her guilt.

"Cheska, that part of your life has been haunting you for weeks and months. You struggle to fall asleep, and when you do, you're often roused by your own wails and tears, begging for your life and calling out for your father," her mother said, her voice filled with concern.

Cheska took a deep breath, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "I want to know the details," she said, her voice shaking. "Why did the group of rogues kidnap me? Were they my father's enemies?"

Her mother placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Cheska, I want you to know that everything that happened is not your fault. Your father loved you more than anything in this world, and he was happy to see you living a happy life," she reminded Cheska before recounting the events of the past.

"The day it all started..."