Chapter 5

Charlotte's POV 

I held my hands together as my breath came out slowly. What! Is he looking for me? Who the heck is this man?!

I stared at this unknown man as confusion and disbelief swirled in me. The more I try to comprehend what's happening, the more the chatter around me grows louder.

“She's the same lady in the press news, right?” The doctor added. 

Immediately, those words escaped into my ear; my heartbeat increased rapidly to the extent that I turned breathless. Press news? Does it mean that my pictures were displayed all over the news? No way!

Suddenly, desperation clouded my entire being as my body cried for answers that I didn't have. 

He cleared his throat and glared at me with rapt attention as if trying to figure out something. “Yes, she's the one!” His husky voice broke through me, and my heart twisted in my chest.

What does he mean by she's the one? Who the heck is this man?

All of a sudden, he tiptoed towards me and his steps felt like a ticking bomb. My stomach dropped instantly when he gently pulled my chin up and gave me a brief smile.

I tried to be calm as my mind was filled with thoughts. And I couldn't help it as chills went down my spine. “You're in safe hands, don't worry. Let's leave here. Okay?” he whispered.

I don't know why I feel something familiar about this unknown man. “Safe? Who are you?” I finally managed to utter some words as it was like a lump was in my throat.

Then he gave a shaky laugh as the gazes around were suffocating me. “I'm someone you have been hoping to see all these years,” he revealed but spun his head towards the gentlemen he came with leaving me drawn in my thoughts.

What the heck does he mean by that? Who's that someone? It's the only one person I've hoped to see all these years but he doesn't seem an inch close to that person. 

Anyway, as I thought Liam would have been here by now, it seemed I was totally wrong. Probably, Ruby is right after all. We're done! Since his grandpa is gone forever! Just like his mother rightfully said too.

“How's she, doctor? Can she be discharged now?” He questioned the doctor. I don't even know his darm name whatsoever.

“Of course, she's fit to be discharged ASAP!” He replied instantly without blinking an eye.

I couldn't hide my disappointment with the doctor's response. Why the hell will they allow a stranger to just walk into the hospital? Not just that, they want to allow him to go away with me.

That's so unprofessional on their part! A whisper in my head told me.

“That's great. What about the hospital bills?” He enquired again as he avoided eye contact with me.

“It has been sorted out already by her husband,” the doctor informed him and his jaw dropped in awe.

“What! She's married? You know what? Never mind about that!” His words slurred as his brows furrowed.

“No problem.”

“Guys, bring her out. Make sure to be gentle with her,” he ordered.

“What! There's no way I'm going with you! I don't know you from anywhere!” I tried to scream for help.

“Wait! Are you saying you don't know him, Miss Lyra?” The doctor threw a confused question at me.

I nodded as my face was full of pity. “Ethan Knight?” The doctor added.

When he mentioned that name, I didn't know where I had strength from as I sat upright immediately. “What? Did you say, Ethan Knight? My lost brother? No way!”

“Yes! Excuse me,” the doctor said and walked away.

Despite the disbelief in me, I could feel a stirring excitement in my chest. It's been more than a decade since anyone has heard from my elder brother - Ethan.

We thought he was no more. I mean, my parents did everything within their ability to find him but all proved abortive. To an extent, we had news that he was long dead.

Pain, distress and disappointment suffocated us, especially my parents. Because to them, they were the reason he ran away from home. 

Yes, they're indeed the reason. Ethan used to be the best friend I had since we were growing up. He was my confidant, above all my only sibling.

“This way ma'am,” one of the gentlemen said calmly. By then he had gone out as he ordered them to escort me out.

I parted my lips to speak, but my throat felt dry all of a sudden. 

As they creaked the door for me, here he was, waiting for me. “Are you okay? Take it easy, Charlotte,” he cautioned me.

“Ethan, is this really you?” I asked as tears brimmed my vision and threatened to spill.

“Yes, I'm so sorry,” he said calmly as he snaked his arms around and gave me a hug.

“You don't need to do this. Let's get home first,” he tried to calm my frazzled nerves.

“Mom! Dad! Why did they leave like this! Why!” The tears I tried to fight suddenly pulled on my face.

“I know! That's why I'm here for you. I've already given them a befitting burial,” he said as I wiped off the tears on my face.

“You will be fine! I will make sure of that!”

“Something doesn't feel normal about that accident, Ethan,” fresh tears spilt on my face again.

“We will get to root it soon, don't worry,” he said as we strolled the car.

We made ourselves comfortable on the passenger's seat and the car took off. “Where have you been all this? You're the last person I expect to see again. I mean, we were informed that you're dead,” I broke through the silence; the happiness in my voice was very evident.

“It's a very long story and I will tell you every bit of it,” he assured me.

“But let's get home so you can have a rest, that's very important.”

It wasn't long before we arrived home. Everything was still the same. I mean, what else do I expect to change? When I left here was the same day my parents lost their lives.

“You're welcome back home,” Ethan announced.

As I opened the door of the car and strolled out, my heart seemed to plummet into the pit of my stomach. 

Distress? I didn't know how to describe what I felt at the moment as the guilt suffocated me. 

I stared at the spot. I threatened them with the pocket knife to allow me to go alone without any security men, and their faces flashed in my mind as they pleaded with me not to hurt myself. 

And my mom shouted, “Do you want to render me childless!”

I thought I was beginning to gain strength, but I think I was wrong. I didn't know the minute my eyes got wet again.

“Come on, let's get in. You will be fine,” Ethan said, as he gently took me by hand.

When we got inside, a pretty young lady almost the same age walked towards us and gave my brother a warm hug. 

“Charlotte, we have finally met. I've heard many amazing things about you, and I'm happy to see you,” she said to me with a priceless smile on her face.

“Who's she?” I whispered into my brother's ears.

“She's Daisy; my wife,” he introduced her.

“Wow! You're married already! That's great news, brother!”

“I wish Mom and Dad were here to witness this day! They would have been more happy,” my voice laced with emotions.

“Hey! Hey! There's no need to shed tears, this is a happy moment,” Ethan said as he crawled near me.

Out of mind, the doorbell rang and it echoed in the entire hall. “Are you expecting someone?” I enquired but he shook his head as confusion clouded his face.