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#ONE WEEK LATER#

KIMBERLY'S POINT OF VIEW

As I slowly opened my eyes, the world came into focus, but it was still a hazy blur. I blinked a couple of times, trying to clear the fog in my vision, and then I shifted my gaze up towards the ceiling, feeling an unsettling mix of confusion and disorientation.

It took a moment for my surroundings to register in my mind, and when I turned my head to the side, the stark realization hit me—I was lying in a hospital bed. A wave of questions flooded my thoughts, and I couldn’t help but murmur a soft, bewildered

“What happened?” as I let out a sigh of frustration. Carefully, I maneuvered myself into a sitting position, gritting my teeth against a dull ache that throbbed in my head.

As I glanced around the small room, an unsettling sense of isolation began to creep in. It became apparent that I was the only person present in this sterile environment.

My mind felt like a blank slate; I struggled to grasp the events that had led me here. Why was I in this hospital bed? The questions seemed to swirl like leaves caught in a whirlwind within my mind, confusing and relentless.

Just as I was beginning to spiral deeper into my thoughts, the door swung open abruptly, pulling me back to reality.  Donovan walked in, followed closely by a man in a crisp lab coat—without a doubt, he was the doctor.

Before I could piece together what was happening, Donovan shouted,

“Amica Mea!” and rushed to my bedside with an urgency that made my heart race.

“Kimberly, you’re finally awake! I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you up,” he exclaimed, pulling me into a tight embrace that both comforted and bewildered me.

“‘Finally awake?’” I echoed, utter bewilderment flooding my senses as I raised an eyebrow at him. What exactly did he mean by that? My mind whirled with confusion, and in that moment, it felt as if everything that was supposed to make sense had slipped through my fingers like sand.

"Welcome back, Miss Kimberly! It's such a relief to see you awake and alert. How are you feeling?" The doctor inquired gently, his voice calm and reassuring as he approached my bedside. I offered a faint smile, trying to muster some positivity despite my discomfort.

"I'm... I'm okay, I guess. Just dealing with a headache right now; my head feels really heavy and strange," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as the words struggled to escape me. The doctor nodded thoughtfully and drew a little closer to where I lay, scrutinizing me with a professional yet compassionate gaze.

He carefully examined my eyes, opening each one in turn to check for any signs of distress, then nodded slowly as if coming to a conclusion.

"The headache should subside soon enough. Just try not to overexert yourself and focus on resting for the time being. Once the medication kicks in, you’ll feel much better," he assured me with a smile. I nodded in agreement, grateful for his reassurance.

Curiosity bubbled up within me, and I couldn’t help but ask,

“What happened? Why am I here in this hospital bed? I thought we were on our way to meet my mom. Did we get into an accident or something?” My questions tumbled out in a rush, and I watched as Donovan, who had been standing beside me, turned to the doctor with a worried expression before returning his attention to me.

“What?? You… you don’t remember what happened?” Donovan stammered, confusion etched across his face. I simply nodded in response, feeling a growing sense of unease.

“Doctor, what’s wrong with her?” Donovan asked anxiously, his eyes locked onto me, filled with concern. I could see the worry in his gaze, and it made my heart race even faster as I waited for an explanation.

"You don’t recall how you arrived at the hospital?" the doctor inquired, a hint of concern in his voice. I responded with an immediate shake of my head, feeling a wave of confusion wash over me.

"I genuinely don’t remember how I got here," I replied, my voice tinged with anxiety.

"The only thing I can recall is that we were on our way to visit Mom, and after that, everything is just a blur. Please, I need to see my mother," I urged, my heart racing as I felt the weight of my situation. Donovan, standing nearby, released a heavy sigh as if the burden of the moment was too great to bear.

"You’ve been unconscious for an entire week, Miss Kim," the doctor stated, his tone calm yet firm. My immediate reaction was one of disbelief, and I huffed in frustration.

"No, that can’t be right! Wasn't it just yesterday that Donovan saved me from Giovan?" I protested, still trying to piece together the fragmented memories that floated in my mind like scattered fragments of a dream. Just then, the door swung open, and in walked Royce, but he looked so different from the brother I remembered that it took me a moment to recognize him.

"Sis, you're awake!" he exclaimed the moment our eyes met, rushing to my bedside with palpable relief.

"Oh my goodness, thank goodness! I thought you were going to leave me like Mom," he confessed, enveloping me in a tight hug. I could hear the quiver in his voice, thick with emotion, and in that moment, his words struck me like a dagger to the heart.

"Leave me like Mom? What do you mean, Royce?" I stammered, my throat tightening as I struggled to process the implications of his statement. In that instant, he abruptly released his hold on me, his expression shifting to one of confusion and concern.

"What?" he murmured, turning toward the doctor as if seeking an explanation for the state of reality we were both grappling with.

"What on earth is happening here? Why is it that she looks like she can't remember anything?" he inquired, his gaze fixed intently on both Donovan and the doctor.

"Kim... your mom… she’s gone, sweetheart," he replied gently, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You fainted when you received the news." As his words settled in, a whirlwind of memories began to flood back, overwhelming him.

#FLASHBACK#

"Thank you so much," I expressed gratefully as Donovan kindly held the door open for me.

"Take it easy, Amica Mea," he teased with a playful grin. "Should I carry you instead?"

I immediately shook my head, my cheeks flushing deeply at the suggestion; the thought of being carried was both amusing and embarrassing.

As he took my hand in his, we made our way together into the bustling hospital, its fluorescent lights and clinical scent stirring a mixture of anxiety and determination within me.

"Excuse me, I’m here to see Mrs. Selena Wilson," I said to one of the staff at the reception desk.

“I believe she was admitted here a couple of days ago.”

"Oh, Mrs. Selena Wilson," the staff member replied, recognition dancing in her eyes.

"Yes, I remember her! She’s currently in the VIP ward, which is located upstairs. If you go up there and ask any of the nurses, they will be able to guide you further." Her warm smile brought a slight sense of relief to my anxious heart.

"Thank you very much," I said, returning her smile as I felt a glimmer of hope. With Donovan at my side, we stepped into the elevator,

Fortunately, we were able to find a nurse who quickly pointed us in the right direction, and without hesitating, we made the turn. Almost immediately, I began to hear a series of screams that sent chills down my spine. The voice was unmistakable; it was Royce. My mind raced with confusion and concern. Why was he screaming? I couldn’t make out the words, just the sheer desperation in his cry.

As the urgency of the situation sunk in, my heart began to pound wildly in my chest. Anxiety pulsed through me as I thought, What on earth is happening? We hurried closer to the ward, and as I reached for the door, my heart dropped at the sight before me. There lay Royce, unconscious on the floor, while his best friend Kareem knelt beside him, sobbing uncontrollably.

“What’s going on? What’s wrong with him?” I stammered, my voice shaky and filled with confusion. Kareem looked up at me, his face stained with tears, but he was speechless, unable to articulate the horror unfolding before us. I opened my mouth to ask him more—perhaps to demand an explanation—but just then, I raised my eyes and saw something that shattered my world.

My mother was lying on the bed, her skin an ashen shade, completely unresponsive. A wave of dread washed over me as I cried out her name,

“Mom!” I rushed to her side, my heart racing with a mix of fear and desperation, I quickly checked for a pulse and pressed my ear against her chest, but the silence was deafening; there was no heartbeat. In that moment, an icy grip of terror seized me, amplifying the panic that coursed through my veins.

“What's happening to her? Why is she looking so pale? Someone please do something!” I shouted, shaking her gently in a desperate attempt to rouse her. Just at that moment, I felt Donovan wrap his arms around me from behind, holding me back firmly. His embrace was meant to comfort me, but it felt more like a restraint.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but she’s gone. She didn't make it. She wasn’t  fighting to survive. We did everything we could,” he said, his voice heavy with sadness. Those words hit me like a freight train, each syllable crashing down on my heart and shattering my already fragile state. In an instant, the world around me faded, and I succumbed to darkness, fainting at the enormity of the loss.

#END OF FLASHBACK#

“Mom... where is mom?” I murmured helplessly, turning towards Royce, as tears began to stream down my cheeks unchecked. I felt a wave of panic wash over me; losing her felt unbearable.

“Oh, thank goodness you remember! You really had me worried there for a moment,” he replied, relief flooding his expression as he dabbed at his own tears with the back of his hand.

“That was quick! I’m so glad you remember . I’ll check in on you later today, but I have an urgent matter to attend to right now,” the doctor added, his tone slightly lighter.

“Please, try to eat something before the nurses bring your medication. And once again, my condolences for the loss of your mother,” he said with a faint smile, before turning to leave the hospital room.

“She really did leave us; she didn’t even wait for me to come back home. she wasn’t even fighting to stay alive,” I murmured, punctuating my words with a heavy sigh that seemed to echo the weight in my heart.

“She could have at least considered us, her children, for just a moment,” I added, the frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

“I’m so incredibly angry with her right now,” I continued, my voice strained with emotion.

“She chose to abandon us because of Dad. She should have at least put up a fight for her own life; it feels so unfair.” I let out another sigh, and burst into tears feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of my feelings.

Royce, sitting beside me, nodded slowly and whispered,

“We don’t have a mom anymore.” His voice cracked slightly as he sniffed back tears, a sound that broke my heart yet made me acutely aware of our shared grief.

“I’m really relieved to see you awake,” he said, his voice filled with a mix of relief and lingering fear.

“I was so scared, Kim. It reminded me too much of how Mom would lay in bed, sleeping so peacefully as if everything would be alright.” At that moment, I reached out and tenderly wiped away the tears that had escaped down his cheeks with my thumb, feeling the weight of his sorrow.

“We’ve been waiting for you to wake up before they bury her. Uncle Jack and Aunt Jane just returned from England, but they went out not too long ago to grab something to eat. They’ll be back soon,” Royce explained, his tone a bit more hopeful, even though I could see the exhaustion written all over his face. I bit my lip, struggling to keep my own emotions in check, wanting to be strong for him. He looked so worn down, having lost so much weight, and it was painfully clear that he had spent countless nights crying. As his older sister, the least I could do was to put on a brave face in front of him.

"What about her husband?" I asked, purposefully sidestepping the use of the word "dad" to avoid the emotional weight that came with it.

"He’s at home," Royce replied, his forehead creased with a profound frown. "He was actually here to visit you yesterday."

I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger at the mere mention of him.

"What does he intend to accomplish by coming here? Honestly, I’m relieved that I didn’t run into him face-to-face. If I had, I can guarantee that I would have done something that he would remember for the rest of his life. It’s all his fault that she’s gone, and that’s something I can never forgive him for," I said, my voice dripping with venom and frustration.

Royce looked at me, concern etched across his features.

"You’ve really lost a lot of weight, you know. You look like you haven’t had a decent meal in ages," I observed, my gaze lingering on how pale and worn he appeared.

"I... I haven’t been able to eat much. With everything going on, especially with Mom's condition, my appetite just vanished," he murmured, letting out a heavy sigh.

Feeling a wave of empathy for my brother, I spoke up softly,

"I’m really hungry. Let’s go grab a bite to eat together... I want to share a meal with you." The suggestion brought a faint smile to his lips, which was a small relief in this heavy moment.

"I’ll just run and get some food for you both," Donovan interjected, and I suddenly realized I had almost forgotten he was there with us. His presence was a reminder that, even amid such turmoil, we still had each other to lean on, even if just for a moment.

"Alright, Baby , thank you!" I said, flashing him a bright smile as he gave me a quick peck on the cheek before stepping out of the room, leaving me feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

"So, you’re telling me that I’ve been lounging around in this bed for an entire week?" I remarked, glancing over at Royce, who simply nodded in agreement, his face lighting up with a playful grin.

"What's with that expression on your face?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow at him as he let out a soft chuckle, his amusement clear.

"Wait, are you seriously saying that you two are actually dating??" Royce asked, a smirk creeping across his visage as I confirmed with a nod.

"Yes, Royce, I really do love him, and he loves me in return," I admitted, my heart swelling a little as I spoke, and he nodded back at me, a warm smile gracing his features.

"I’m genuinely happy for you," he said, and it was clear he meant it.

"He truly is a wonderful guy. He has been making an effort to ensure that I am comfortable, even suggesting that I come stay with them in their mansion! And let me tell you, his parents were visiting just yesterday. Sophie mentioned that they rushed over to the hospital right after returning from a trip," he added, his enthusiasm palpable.

"But I thought he was struggling with a mental illness?" Royce questioned, a hint of concern in his voice, prompting me to shake my head vigorously in response.

"He used to, yes, but that's in the past now. I can assure you that my feelings for him remain unchanged, even if he were to find himself in a difficult mental state again," I replied firmly, a sense of determination in my tone, which caused him to clear his throat thoughtfully, as if processing the depth of my conviction.

"And what about that other guy you were seeing… what was his name again?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

“Nathan?” I replied, my voice tinged with irritation.

“We broke up.  The guy was cheating on me with someone I can’t stand!” I let out an exaggerated eye roll, emphasizing just how fed up I was with the whole situation.

“That’s honestly good news,” he said, a hint of disdain in his tone.

“I've never really liked that guy, to be honest.” Just at that moment, the door swung open, and in walked Henry, all energy and excitement. The instant he spotted me, he let out an enthusiastic squeal and hurried over, enveloping me in a huge, warm hug.

“Oh my gosh, bestie! You’re awake! You have no idea how worried everyone was. I’ve missed you so much!” he exclaimed once he finally pulled away from our embrace, his face beaming with happiness.

“I missed you too, bestie!” I replied, matching his wide smile with one of my own, feeling the warmth of friendship reinvigorating me.

“Good morning!” Royce chimed in, smiling at Henry, who turned to him with an equally bright expression.

“Hi Royce! How have you been?” Henry asked, the genuine friendliness in his tone making it clear that he cared.

“I’m fine,” Royce muttered, a slight grimace crossing his face.

“I’m really sorry to hear about your mom. I was totally taken aback when I overheard some nurses talking about it. Honestly, I thought they were talking about someone else entirely,” Henry said, his voice softening as he breathed out a sigh, clearly feeling the weight of the moment.

“Thank you for your concern. Honestly, I never imagined that the situation would escalate to something so serious that it would ultimately lead to her passing away. My dad had told her that he wanted a divorce, and right after that, she collapsed. Royce acted quickly, rushing her to the hospital and even called me to come over. But for some reason, something prevented me from getting there that day. By the time I finally arrived… she was already gone. It’s incredibly heartbreaking, Bestie, and yet I can’t help but feel a surge of anger towards her. Yes, I know she had a heart condition, but the doctor mentioned that it seemed like she didn’t even try to fight for her life. Couldn’t she have at least fought for us, for Royce and me?!” I said, my voice quivering as I wiped away the tears that had begun to stream down my face.

“Don’t say that, Kim,” he replied gently, his eyes filled with understanding..

“It’s possible that she truly did fight, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough. No mother would intentionally choose to leave her children behind. I’m just really relieved to see that you’re awake and doing okay. I was starting to feel quite depressed about everything,” he said, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

“You really don’t need to feel that way. So much has happened, and I promise I’ll share everything with you once I’m out of here,” I assured him, and he nodded in acknowledgment.

“I have a lot to share with you too, Kim. There’s one thing in particular that I can’t keep to myself any longer,” he said, a hint of urgency in his voice that piqued my curiosity.

“What is it?” I asked, leaning in closer, eager to learn what he had to say.

"It's about Doctor Anita," he began, his voice filled with an unsettling gravity.

"Some police officers came into the hospital this past Tuesday and arrested her." Upon hearing his words, I felt a jolt of shock rush through me, and my breath caught in my throat.

"What? Wait, what are you saying?? What happened??" I asked, my eyes widening in disbelief as I tried to process the news.

He sighed heavily before continuing,

"It’s quite a long and, to be honest, really shocking story. It seems that she had actually sent a thug—more specifically, a sniper—to take you out. But in a twist of fate, the assassin confused you with someone who just so happened to look exactly like you and tragically ended up shooting her instead."

"Wait, what?" I interrupted, my heart racing as the weight of his words sank in.

"The authorities were able to trace the sniper, and when they caught him..... well, he spilled everything. He told them that Anita was the one who had sent him after you."

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The implications of his words washed over me like a cold wave.

"You mean they apprehended her?"I asked and he nodded.

"Yes, And after some intense questioning, she admitted that it was actually you she wanted him to kill, but the sniper got confused?" I gasped, bringing my hands up to my mouth in horror, goosebumps prickling my skin.

"Who even is this other person, and how could she possibly think of coming up with such a twisted and malicious plan?" Royce interjected, his frown deepening as he turned to Henry for more answers.

"I had no idea she harbored such intense hatred toward me, to the point of wanting me dead. How could she even think of doing something like this?" I murmured, feeling the sobs welling up inside me, and before I could contain it, tears streamed down my face as I burst into uncontrollable sobs. The realization of betrayal and danger wrapped around me like a chilling fog.

"I understand that we have never really gotten along, but does that really justify her wanting to kill me? How could she ever reach such a point?" I murmured, bewildered, as I locked eyes with Henry.

He replied, “The silver lining in all of this is that she was apprehended, and her accomplice failed in their attempt. I do feel sorry for that poor girl who was shot, though. You should have seen her, Kim... She bears a striking resemblance to you," he added, which made me instinctively bite my lip in response.

My mind started racing as I thought, what if the attempt hadn’t been thwarted? That would have meant Royce would have lost both his mother and sister in one fell swoop. A wave of sadness washed over me as I contemplated that possibility.

Royce, visibly furious, declared, "She should never be let out of that place; in fact, she deserves to rot in prison for what she's done."

"Well, she will, don’t worry. Your sister's boyfriend is already working to ensure that she pays for this." His words left me feeling perplexed.

"What do you mean? What’s Donovan doing exactly?" I inquired, a frown forming on my face in confusion.

“I’ve heard that he’s actually taking steps to make sure she faces consequences," Henry clarified.

"Her father had initially wanted to let her off the hook, but Donovan seems determined to make sure that doesn’t happen." As I processed this information, I could feel a sense of relief and appreciation swelling within me for Donovan.

"Alright, I think I’m starting to like him even more now," Royce said with a grin that contrasted sharply with the gravity of our conversation.

"I can't express how relieved I am to know that you're safe, Kim. It truly warms my heart, especially given everything that's happened. And once again, I want to extend my deepest condolences about your mom. She fought valiantly, I’m sure of it. It's devastating to think of what you all went through. But you should really try not to take the doctor's words too much to heart; they can sometimes be a bit too blunt," he mentioned, prompting me to nod in acknowledgment.

He continued, "Oh, and you won't believe this—Nathan showed up at the hospital last Friday morning to hand in his resignation letter. You should have seen him; he looked so drawn and had numerous bruises all over his body. I’ve heard some whispers that he’s planning to leave the country entirely." My mind began to race as I processed this information, and I simply nodded, curiosity gnawing at me about what could have possibly happened to him.

"A lot has certainly transpired lately," I murmured, just as the door swung open and Donovan entered the room.

He glanced at me with a sense of urgency and said, "I really should get going; I've got a morning shift to attend to. I just rushed over here to check on you before heading to work," he explained as he stood up from the edge of the bed.

"Good morning, Mr. Donovan!" Henry greeted enthusiastically, to which Donovan responded with a simple nod of acknowledgment.

“I’ll come see you tomorrow, Kim,” he said, a hopeful tone in his voice. But as soon as the words left his lips, I found myself shaking my head vigorously.

“I really don’t think I’ll be here by tomorrow,” I replied, feeling a mixture of determination and discomfort.

“I’m going home today, no matter what happens. Being in this hospital makes me feel really uneasy... I can’t quite put it into words.” I glanced over at him, and he nodded in understanding, his expression empathetic.

“When do you think your mom will be buried?” he asked, and the question sent a wave of sadness crashing over me. Biting my lip, I struggled to comprehend the reality of her absence. It seemed surreal that she was gone.

“Maybe this Saturday... I’m not entirely sure yet, but I’ll definitely let you know in advance,” I murmured, my voice tinged with sorrow.

“Alright then, I’ll come visit you at home tomorrow. Take care, Royce, and see you later, bestie,” he said, waving goodbye as he stepped out of the room.

“Here’s your meal; please make sure to eat and take your medication,” Novan said with a kind smile, distributing the food between Royce and me.

“I didn’t know what you both wanted, so I just picked this up. Don’t worry, I’ll help you eat, Amica Mea,” he joked lightly and pecked my lips. At that moment, Royce cleared his throat, and as he adjusting in his chair, I couldn’t hold back a chuckle.

“Thank you,” Royce and I replied in perfect sync, our voices echoing slightly in the room. With that, we both began to eat.