Chapter 21‘’She’s unconscious, but okay,’’‘’Alright,’’Lana released a long breath and nodded at her step-daughter. She contemplated and revised the plan in her head. Just go inside, see her daughter, talk to her sleeping little girl and leave before she wakes. Doesn’t sound testing. She thought.‘’I’ll see her. Make sure no one comes inside,’’ Lana commanded and rubbed her sweaty hands which was in a fist, over her loose jeans.‘’Sure,’’ Pearl nodded and gestured with her hands towards the door where Sophia was lying unconscious.It was the post Tonsillectomy surgery. Sophia was still unconscious and was taking her sweet time to wake up. Lana’s plan was to stick with her ego and still see her daughter without her knowing.Upon seeing Sophia like that, an oxygen mask covering her face, wires sticking from here and there, Lana couldn’t help but tear up. She made her way towards Sophia and sat beside her stomach on the bed. She glanced at the heart monitor once, which presented Sophia

CHAPTER 23There was a halt. The halt of time. It was as if time had stopped when the two women put their eyes on one another. Nothing moved. Not a muscle, nor a leaf. Every particle in and around the room stopped, only to have a look at the sudden commotion. The world paused to look at the two woman. Sophia and her mother. Their eyes clashed like two meteoroids that blew into a million pieces. The clash gave rise to several kinds of emotions in Sophia’s heart. For an instance, joy. Oh, how at ease she felt at seeing her mother after so long! She felt a momentary relief considering selfishly that Lana cared and that’s why she’s here. But, then rage appeared in Sophia’s mien. She was neglected, ignored, brainwashed, and left to feel unloved. Intentionally or not. It all started with Lana and ended with her too. Lastly, confusion. Why now? There were numerous opportunities when Lana could make an appearance, when Sophia needed her presence. If not then, why now?Sophia was as stiff as a

CHAPTER 25Unwinding chills of excitement hid behind her face of nervousness at the thought of returning to work. The leave felt longer than a month even though it wasn’t and she felt the need to visit the office. The thought of seeing her friends, her cubicle, even her annoying neighbouring colleague made her jump in excitement. But then the thought of her apartment crossed her mind and she felt sad, the comfort it radiated flashing before her eyes. She simply had gotten used to calling that place her home and staying away from the same made her feel blue. But she knew Miles’ overprotectiveness wouldn’t let her be yet. The stay at her brother’s was indeed relaxing and healed her properly. She even received a green signal from her doctors for continuing with her routine. Although, because of her recent medical conditions, they had suggested for Sophia to take it slow and be cautious about stress, which was like salt on a burning wound for her sibling’s worry. Though, Brinda had manage

CHAPTER 27Brinda made a visit. It was a small sit and talk session where she inquired about Sophia’s health. After almost one month of her thyroid surgery, she felt much better. She had Brinda to thank for. Without her assistance at being her nutritionist, she wouldn’t have recovered at this pace. She never had a bad impression over Brinda being her brother’s girlfriend, so it wasn’t hard for them to become friends either. She was always able to carry this warm aura that radiated with comfort and care.‘’I’m glad that you’re recovered,’’ Brinda squeezed Sophia’s shoulder.Sophia smiled timidly and looked down. Her fingers caressed the sheets of her bed on which both of them sat. This guest room at Miles’ place had become her safe place where she felt at peace and at home. She smiled at the thought but gloom clouded her face quicker than the smile that arrived earlier. Her chest almost hurt at the rate of pressure she put on them. ‘’Is something wrong?’’ Asked Brinda craning her neck

CHAPTER 29Sophia struggled under Joshua’s hold.She was pushed against the wall, causing white hot pain to shot in her ankle that got twisted in the tussle. The only reason she didn’t fall on the ground even after losing the strength to stand was because of Joshua’s arm that was wrapped around her torso, almost strangling her and squeezing the breath out of her. She tried her best not to breathe against the cloth pressed against her face. She knew what he wanted to do; make her pass out. Her screams were muffled, almost inaudible, even to her. In no way would anyone had been able to hear her for the rescue considering the closed door and the towering Joshua pressing a cloth against her mouth. The subtleness of his plan stood by his side and not hers.No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t help but breathe an atom of breathe every few seconds. The substance that got in her system was chloroform. She learned a little something about it from college. It would make her weak, not fain