Chapter Thirty-two

Katherine Isobelle is Preston’s sister. They lost both of their parents because of an accident when they were young.

Katherine Isobelle was a photographer. She used to work in New Zealand.

Katherine Isobelle was married and she has a son. She signed the divorce papers but according to Preston, they are still married, because the divorce didn't push through.

She has Belle’s DNA and that means they are the same person.

Even after knowing all these facts, Hyacinth still couldn’t fully process everything that happened. A lot doesn't make sense. If it would, no one but her could make sense of it all but until she gets her memory back, it would be impossible. 

This was the reason why she spent time away from everyone including Preston, who is the only person who knows the truth. He gave him these files about Belle that she needed to know and she has spent an ample amount of time studying herself like a person from History class.

There was a scream at the park that surprised her. She thought she was alone, and when she turned to look, an unfamiliar lady was looking at her with terrified eyes. Beside her, there was Nikolai. Of course, it’s him again.

Is he following her? He needs to back out and let her have her space. She badly wanted to tell him that, but he would ask questions that Hyacinth doesn’t want to answer yet. Both eyes were following him. Pretending she saw nothing, Hyacinth walked away and never looked back.

***

“Mom,” Hyacinth murmured. It was hard to say the word out loud.

“Yes, Hyacinth, honey. How’s everything? How’s Jack and Elias doing?” Her mother’s voice was sweet and jolly.

Deep inside, Hyacinth was hoping that her mother, Alice, had nothing to do with what was happening in her life. After waking up from a coma, she was made to believe that they raised her since she was a kid and that they are her real parents.

She began to cry.

“Oh, sweetie, what happened?”

“Mommy, can you be honest with me?”

Alice didn’t answer. Hyacinth took this as a sign that her guess was right. Her life was a lie. Preston wanted to be involved and file a case. She didn’t want that. Whatever purpose Alice had, the old lady has been nice ever since. She wanted an explanation, but she didn’t want to hurt the woman she knew as her mother. 

“Can you be honest with me just this once? Because I know you’ve been lying to me and everyone is lying to me. I can’t trust anyone, Mom. So, please, I’m begging you. Can you be honest with me?”

“Hya, honey, I’m sorry.”

“Do you know that my name’s not even Hyacinth?”

“N-no. I was told not to ask questions.”

So, there was someone.

“Who do you mean someone?”

“I can’t remember, sweetie. They didn’t tell me their names and-and they knew we were in so much debt. They threatened to harm me if I didn't cooperate.”

“What exactly did they tell you?”

“That they need me to take care of someone who is about to be dead. You were in a coma at that time with the smallest chance of survival. They told me they needed me to be your legal guardian and to you when you’re dead. I’m so sorry, Hyacinth. I took care of you like my daughter. I loved you like my daughter. They expected you to die, but I know you’d make it.”

Someone just discarded her like trash. If she didn’t regain her consciousness, she’d probably be six feet underground and no one would visit her grave.

It must be challenging for her family and the people that took care of her. The person she’s most concerned with is Liam. Seven years. She was deprived of those years that she should have spent with her son. Their connection is so strong that even when she doesn't remember giving birth, she is being protective of her child.

Hyacinth will never forget whoever it was that caused her death and disappearance.

It would be convenient to hate Alice. She lied and let her be another person when there were people waiting for her to come back. But Hyacinth couldn’t bring herself to do that. Alice loved her like her own. In the files Preston gave, it said that they’ve lost both their parents at a very young age. In a way, she is thankful that she got to experience what it’s like to have a loving mother.

“They paid me. I wouldn’t deny that. Your father- Roy was very sick and we lost every penny and got so much debt for his treatment. That was why I accepted their offer. I told you so many lies, Hya and I would understand if you’d hate me. Please, understand sweetie, I really, really loved you and I still do.”

“Mom, don’t cry.” It was a lot to process, but she found it in her heart to forgive and understand the bigger picture. “Thank you for taking care of me. I know these things now, but I still don’t remember anything. I want to know the real me, Mom.”

“Of course. Let me know if you need any help, sweetie. Please, don’t announce it to the world yet. Someone out there wants you gone. Please, please always take care of yourself.”

Alice is right. Also the reason why she’s keeping things a secret except to Preston. There were times when she wanted to meet Liam again, not just her teacher. She wants to introduce herself as his mother, but not right now. At the right time, she certainly will.

That wasn’t as difficult as she expected. There was a big thorn removed from her chest after talking to her mother. Now, she has another puzzle to solve and that is to know who’s behind all of it. 

She couldn’t do this alone. She phoned the only person whom she knew who could help her.

“Hello, Belle-I mean Hyacinth?” It didn’t even take two rings for Preston to answer the phone. She tried not to, but she was already getting used to this sister treatment she was getting from Preston.

“Preston, I need your help again. Is now a good time to talk or I can go to your office for an appointment.”

“Hya, even if you don’t remember it yet, you’re still and will always be family. We don’t need an appointment to talk and of course, I can help. Just say the word and we’ll make it happen.”

She tried not to, but Hyacinth smiled with the word family. Hopefully, this is the start of things going right and for her to reclaim what’s rightfully hers. “Thank you, Preston. I need your help with the visitation rights.”

“Yes, of course. We talked about it already. There’s already proof of DNA and your medical records. Though, I highly doubt Nikolai would contest any of our evidence.”

“I know. I think it’s time to talk to him.”

Preston was silent. She thought the call got disconnected but Hyacinth could hear him breathing.

“You know that means revealing to him that you’re Belle, right?”

“A closed door meeting. Just you, him, and me present.”

“That’s great news, Belle! Sorry. Hyacinth. Yes, that’s great news. Do you have some of your memories back?”

“Sadly, no. I keep in touch and go to check-ups with that doctor you recommended, don’t worry. But Preston, I also need you to do something else.”

“What is it?”

This would be hard on Preston’s part, for sure, but she needs this for now. She isn’t going back to Nikolai’s life and being his wife. She just wants to reconnect and bond with her only son. Nikolai isn’t part of that package.

“I need a restraining order against Nikolai. I don’t want him coming near me. I still don’t know who’s involved with my disappearance so, I’m not trusting anyone except for you. Preston, can you do that?”

Preston sighed heavily. “I think that’s the right thing to do too.”

“Thank you very much.”

“You’re my only family, Belle. Of course, I’d do anything to protect you.”

“You called me Belle again.”

“Oh shit. Yeah, sorry. Hyacinth.”

Hyacinth laughed for the first time that day. It would be nice to have her memory back. For sure, there are a lot of times that they bantered together as kids. She thinks that Preston is a really protective and helpful older brother. The least she could do for him as a thank you was to remember the memories she lost, but she couldn’t.

“You can call me, Belle, Prez. I’m sorry your younger sister couldn’t remember anything.”

“You're alive. That’s more than enough.” Preston is probably grinning at this moment. "You were the one who gave me the nickname Prez, you know. Welcome back, Belle."