66

"Bianca, you have to eat," I told her, biting my lip.

"I'm not hungry."

Her voice was hoarse and quiet. She sounded so tired.

My face creased in concern. I shook my head and closing the door before turning to her, my face sympathetic.

"What happened to you? Why are you here?"

She chuckled, staring at the white wall. "My liver is dying and there's a long list for new ones. I'm going to die soon. You happy?"

I shook my head, feeling shocked. How? How could this happen?

"No. I'm not happy. Why would you think that?" I asked her, my voice soft. She shrugged, picking up a celery stick before placing back on the plate. "Everyone hates me. What food is this? If I'm going to die soon, can't I get some fucking real food? Where are the burgers?"

I bit my lip, "I'll get you some. Want some chips?" She gave me an odd look, "why are you being nice to me?"

I shrugged a little. "Why not?" Tears sprang into her eyes. She sniffed, wiping her eyes and putting a hard face as if to hide her feelings inside. "How's April?" I swallowed and stared at her.

This woman wasn't heartless. She did have some kindness in her but didn't show it and was blinded by hate.

"She's fine. ."

"Good. ."

"Look, I'm sorry for hitting you that day-"

"I deserved it," she sighed, looking at her hands. "I messed up." I couldn't help but look at her in pity.

"I don't like children. I never have," I swallowed, taking a seat and continuing to listen to her. "I enjoyed drinking and doing drugs but that's why I'm here," she chuckled a little before continuing, "they just hit me hard and I got addicted and took my anger out on April. I know she's a nice kid, I'm just not a fan of kids and because of that I hurt her. I-I didn't mean to. .it just got out of control." Her voice sounded so pitiful and sad.

"Sleeping with Vincenzo? I was trying to get you jealous. I liked him initially and when I found out you guys were dating I got annoyed. I'm. ." She hesitated and made a face as she said the next few words, "I'm sorry for that. It wasn't fair on you."

"It's okay," I replied quietly, the horrible memory of that day floating in my head.

"Nice hickey," she said in a playful tone. I immediately touched my neck, groaning. "Is it that obvious?" I asked, remembering the night before as she chuckled. "Yes."

"Great," I said, rubbing my neck.

"You guys are good together," she quietly said, looking away from me.

"Thanks," I murmured, biting my lip as I asked her, "where've you been all this time. .w-what happened to you?"

Bianca sighed, "kept me in the dungeons. I was beaten a bit. ." She said, with a slight shudder. "Then only eating one meal a day. Two if I was lucky. .then, I couldn't stop being sick and passing out and that's when I found out my liver was dying . . I'm dying. ."

Tears unexpectedly came into my eyes, "Bianca. ."

"Look, I don't need your pity!" She suddenly snapped, "Why are you here anyway?"

"I-I'm helping out."

"Of course you are," she bitterly said before sighing and pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry. .I just. ."

"No, it's okay. ." I replied, looking down. "I think April would want to see you," I told her after a moments silence.

She shook her head furiously. "Don't bring her here. She hates me and she knows I'm not a big fan of her. Don't underestimate her."

I bit my lip hard.

"I. ." Bianca hesitated, playing by with her fingers. "You and Vincenzo are together right?" I nodded as she slowly nodded too as though she was thinking of something important.

"Could you do me a favour?" She cautiously asked me, her eyes hopeful. I slowly nodded. "I need you to bring me a guy - a hot guy here."

My eyes widened, "wha. .? No-"

"Please!" She begged, "I'm freaking horny and I want some sex before I die!" My face creased. I couldn't say no to her. She was dying!

"You might not be!" I said, abruptly. "You have a chance to live. Don't doubt it!" She shook her head, "stop giving me false hope! I'm going to die tonight! I need you to firstly sneak me in some fast food then bring a hot guy. .maybe two. ."

Bianca bit her lip before sliding her hand under the pillow and showing me an empty bottle of medicine. My eyes widened.

"Bianca, no! I'm going to get a doctor!"

"You wouldn't fucking dare!" She said in a hard tone with tears in her eyes. "I've already took them and what's done is done. I didn't want to die from liver failure. I want to die peacefully in my sleep, please don't try and stop that. I've taken more than twenty, there's nothing you can do."

A tear slid down my cheek as my bottom lip quivered. "Don't be a baby," Bianca said in a softer tone as she wiped her teary eyes. "I'll be fine. It's what I want."

"But. ."

"Don't, Mia," she pleaded, her voice teary. "Please. ."

"I won't tell. .what about April? You're going to just leave her?"

"No. .she has you. .her new mother."

I gave her a look of surprise, "what? Bianca, you are her mother whether you like it or not. It was your decision to jump on my man's dick so here's the consequence. I can't just replace you!"

She rolled her eyes, "it was some good sex too until you interrupted." I gave her an annoyed look and she held her hands up in surrender. "You wouldn't be replacing me. I was never a good mother to begin with. She needs a female role model in her life. You guys are going to be a family anyway."