CHAPTER 8

Alicia stared at her reflection, still holding the mirror with both hands. The woman looking back at her didn’t feel like a stranger, or maybe not, but she wasn’t Alicia King either. Not the quiet one, not the one Lucas married out of pressure. This face was spotless, fresh, almost too perfect, like someone else’s life had been laid over hers.

She blinked slowly, unsure of what she felt. Confused? Shocked? Grateful?

Lucas… what would he do if he saw her now? Would he even recognize her? Would his heart skip a beat? Or would he just admire her like any other beautiful woman passing by?

And Maya? Her sweet daughter with sleepy eyes and curly hair. Would she know her mother? Or would she pull away, scared by this new face, and run away?

Alicia touched her cheek softly. It didn’t even feel real.

Then there was Amaya, her best friend. Her voice had been the last thing Alicia thought about before everything went dark. She’d called her name, screamed, maybe asked thousands of questions. And Becky…

A chill ran through her body.

The memory of that night was still afresh, but one thing was clear: Becky had pushed her, her sister. If someone had told her that Becky could do something like that, she would’ve defended her with her life. But now?

The truth was sharper than any pain she had felt for all these years.

The doctor’s voice pulled her back. “Do you feel any discomfort?”

She blinked, lowering the mirror. “Just… a slight headache.”

She nodded. “It’s from the medication. It’ll pass.”

She scribbled something on his clipboard, then exchanged a glance with the nurse. “We’ll give you some privacy. Press the button if you need anything.”

They stepped out, leaving the room quiet again.

Alicia looked down at her lap, then turned to Captain Smith, who stood near her, arms behind his back.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He turned.

“Thank you,” she said again, this time louder, clearer.

He smiled, a short nod following. “You don’t need to thank me. Just get better.”

He reached into his coat pocket and brought out a sleek smartphone. “My number’s already in there. You’ll need it. Press the bell if you feel any slight discomfort.”

She took it, her fingers still a little shaky, because the man’s presence had an intimidating aura.

“How long… have I been gone?”

He finally sat on the chair. “Almost four months. Since the night I found you floating near the river banks. You were barely alive. Unconscious for weeks. The doctors in Miami called me the moment you woke up. I flew down straight away, I was gone on a duty trip.”

Alicia didn’t know what to say.

He stood. “Get some rest. The nurses will take care of you. I’ll come by later.”

And with that, he walked out.

She looked back at the mirror.

The woman staring back at her… had a lot to settle.

****************************

Lucas stepped into his house, dropping his keys on the living room table. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, and the tiredness in his eyes showed. He loosened his tie as he spotted the nanny still sitting in the living room, Maya asleep beside her.

“It’s past your closing time,” he said, walking in.

The nanny stood quickly. “I didn’t want to leave Maya alone. She’s been a little fussy since this afternoon.”

He nodded. “Where’s Becky?”

“She packed up earlier and left. Took her luggage and didn’t say much.”

Lucas frowned, pulling out his phone. He dialed Becky’s number, but it didn’t go through.

“Alright. Thanks. I’ll take it from here.”

She grabbed her bag and left quietly.

Lucas picked up his daughter and carried her upstairs to her room. The light was dim, her blanket was pulled halfway across the bed.

He placed her down gently, tucking the edges like Alicia used to do.

As he turned to leave, Maya’s soft voice stopped him.

“Daddy?”

He turned. “Yes, sweetheart?”

“When is Mommy coming back?” she asked, her little fingers hugging her bunny tighter. “Nobody reads bedtime stories anymore, I miss mummy.”

He didn’t know the best answer to give her. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“Soon,” he said. “She’ll be back soon.”

******************

The next morning, Lucas stood in front of Becky’s apartment door. He didn’t knock. He used the spare key she once gave him and walked in.

She was already dressed up.

Red short gown, makeup done, legs crossed as she sat on the couch, sipping a hot chocolate beverage like she was hosting a mini party.

“I knew you’d come,” she said with a smile, standing up slowly, expecting you to come earlier than now, but it's fine, the most important thing is that you are here, finally..

Lucas looked around. “Why did you leave Maya with the nanny?”

Becky took another sip. “She’s not a baby. Besides, I needed space.”

“Space? You left a four-year-old with someone who has her own family waiting for her.”

Becky’s voice didn’t waver. “I’m leaving for Mexico tomorrow, my luggage is already packed.”

Lucas blinked. “What?”

She touched her stomach gently. “I can’t be a secret anymore, tired of being your mistress, the one who warms your bed. I won’t raise this child in shame. I’ll tell her I tried, but the father is just a coward.”

“Becky, don’t do this.”

“I will stay… if you marry me.”

Lucas stared at her.

“Engage me first. Transfer something into my account. I’ll pick my ring. Then we’ll plan our wedding. Public, and loud.”

Lucas rubbed his face. “It hasn’t even been six months since Alicia’s burial. People will talk.”

“Let them, besides not so many persons knew she was your wife.”

He sighed. “Fine.”

He pulled out his phone and made the transfer. As soon as the alert hit her phone, she smiled.

He didn’t stay long.

******************************

The next morning, Alicia sat upright in her bed, dressed in her hospital gown. Her hands kept going to the mirror beside her, touching her nose, her cheekbones, her lips. She pinched softly, like trying to see if it was real; she was looking too beautiful to be true, maybe a mermaid.

Her fingers brushed over the smartphone Captain Smith gave her. She opened it, needing something to distract herself.

She scrolled slowly through the feed.

Then she stopped.

Becky’s face filled the screen, all smiles, glowing like she hadn’t thrown her sister into the ocean.

But it wasn’t the smile that made Alicia’s heart sink.

It was the ring.

And the caption:

“Engaged to the love of my life.”

She was about to scroll past fast until she saw the name tag.

Lucas David.

The phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor without a warning.