Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Mikaela:

“Are you okay?” The voice of the other man, Kevin, broke into my thoughts.

I hadn't realized when he came in.

I flinched, sliding the file back under the bed quickly.

“What's that?” He asked.

I shook my head. “Nothing. Why are you here?” I shifted a little, cautious of every muscle he moved.

“Do you not trust me?” He stepped closer, his legs pressing on the edge of the bed.

I gulped, my mind running like a headless chicken as my eyes ran over him.

As if he noticed my fear, he stepped back, smirking. “It's not in my plan to traumatize you or make you fear. I'm just asking, do you trust me?”

“Why should I?” I shook my head.

Nodding, he blurted, “That's what I thought. But if there's anyone you should trust the least, that should be Ethan.”

“My…husband?” I stuttered, unsure if that's what to call him or not.

He scoffed. “He doesn't deserve that title. He deserves to be your ex. The only mistake you made was passing out before being able to sign the divorce papers he prepared.”

My brows furrowed.

“What actually happened?”.

“Would you believe me?”

“Yes, if it's the truth.”

“In short, he was your husband. A cheating husband. He assumed you killed his mother. He got you locked up for murder and you were assaulted and then this happened.” He explained, his face remaining straight without an iota of emotion.

“So my own husband believed I killed his mother? Then locked me up? Then watched me get assaulted? Do YOU even believe these cheap lies?”

“You need to wake up! You can't fall in love with the wrong man twice!!” He raised his voice.

“Why are you yelling at me?”

“Because I've tried. For years, since we were just kids, I've tried to show you what love truly is but you always make the wrong decisions. This is my only chance and you're messing it up. You deserve me! Or just anyone better than that jerk.” I could see his fist clenching as he crossed his arms.

I bit the corner of my lip, and just when I almost fell for his trick, realization struck me.

“So you're only doing this for your own gain, so I could be yours and your feelings for me will be approved?”

His lips parted but nothing came out. I could see it in his eyes that the words were tangled in his throat. It took several seconds before he pulled them out. “It's because I care about you and I don't want you to be broken once again, especially by him. Don't be stupid.” He scolded.

I looked him in the eye. For a moment, my heart shut down and my brain did most of the work, running every assumption and possibilities.

“Look” He commanded, his hands traveling up to the love shaped pendant on his necklace. He cracked it open, showcasing the tiny image in it— A teenage girl with her hand locked around the neck of a boy a little older than she is. “That was us.” he nodded, closing the pendant. “I wore this since the day I realized I was in love with you. We were still in highschool then. I'm now twenty-eight and I still have this on me! The last thing I want for you is the worst. You deserve to be happy. We all make mistakes but I won't watch you make this one the second time.”

“Why?” I whispered, shaking my head in confusion.

“I’d rather die!!” His teeth grinded.

The door flew open, then the nurse walked in with a tray on her hand. She pushed the door gently with the tip of her toe to shut it.

The cutleries in the tray rattled with each step she took.

“I'm back. I also brought you a cup of warm tea.” She announced, her voice ringing joyously.

The words from the file displayed in my head again, and I had to think twice. What if the food was actually drugged? But what if it wasn't?

She placed it on a stool nearby and approached me, placing a hand on my stomach to ease my muscles as she guided me to sit upright gently.

“Are you comfortable dear?” She questioned, her voice soft.

I nodded. “I am. Thank you.”

She raised the tray from the stool, lowering it to my lap. Just as it was about to touch my thighs, I raised my hand, holding it between the tray and my legs.

“Actually, I don't feel like having anything unless it's from Ethan or Kevin. No hard feelings.”

Her head tilted in shock. “At least have a bite and have half of the tea. That would make me happy. It took a lot of time for the hospital to get this all ready for patients.”

*Sorry, but I don't really feel safe enough here to eat anything from someone who works here.”

“You mean people you don't know before? You trust them over us, a certified hospital with government approval.”

“Yes. And I expect you to respect my decision even after choosing them. It's just a toast anyway, you can have it.” I waved it off.

She shut her eyes. “Just have some.”

“She said no. Why are you trying to force her?” Kevin butted in

She kept mute, her knuckles turning white she grabbed the tray tighter. “But she has to eat.”

“I'll buy her some fast food.”

“But she needs to eat healthy, that's what she and her child needs.”

“But what she needs better is eating from someone she trusts.” He retorted.

Before she could spit back, I chipped in. “I'd like to leave this place as soon as possible too, that's how much I don't trust this place.”

She looked defeated for a moment but cleared her throat and covered it up quickly.

“Who are you leaving with? Kevin or Ethan?”,

Yeah, the big question that made my palm go cold as if I had just dipped them into a cold bath.

“I…”

My lips parted and I nodded, finally deciding on one person. The one that seemed perfect. The one who truly earned my trust..

“I choose….”