1. Wrong

Lila

The first thing I was aware of was a male voice in the distance. Each word was pulling me to wake up but my chest felt heavy and God did my body hurt.

I knew that voice. It belonged to the morning news anchor on Channel 8. Derrick Green. He had interviewed me three months ago and I found myself watching him everyday since then.

He had a lovely voice and an even lovelier face, something Orion had always been jealous about.

“…tragic news reaching our desk this morning. Lila Sterling, heiress and CEO elect of Sterling Global, is in critical condition after a fall from a balcony last night during her engagement to her long time boyfriend Orion Vale. Doctors say she may not make it, reporting minimal brain activity…”

My heart stopped. They were talking about me.

Derrick continued, “Her fiancé, Orion Vale, released a statement early this morning saying Lila had been battling depression and alcohol addiction for years. 

He said, quote, ‘I tried to help her through her struggles but I did not realize how deep she had sunk.'

What?

I stared blankly at the screen as Orion’s face filled it. His eyes were red from crying, hair tangled from running his hands through and his tie undone.

“Whenever the year neared the anniversary of her parents’ death, it was always hard for her,” he continued, voice breaking. 

“I should have seen the signs. She was struggling and I should have done more,” he finished breaking into tears as his best friend Victoria hugged him. Victoria despised me and seeing her sniffling beside Orion was laughable.

Liar.

I wasn’t depressed. I wasn’t addicted either.

 The only thing I had been addicted to was shopping and that was a reasonable vice for a lady my age.

And as for alcohol? I could handle it better than everyone I knew, Orion included. Two glasses of wine never knocked me out, but last night, they had. 

I tried to push myself up, but my arm trembled in protest, still weak. My nails weren't mine. They were too short and painted with chipped pink polish that I would never be caught dead in. It was always french tips or nothing for me.

“What the hell…”

The door then opened and a woman walked in. She was a brunette with soft curls and a nurses badge. She looked happy to see me awake,

“Oh, thank God. You are awake,” she said quickly, pressing the call button.  “Dr. Henry, she is up!”

I tried to sit up, but the nurse gently pushed my shoulder down. “Easy there, Sera. You have been through a lot.”

Sera?

The name didn’t fit. There was something wrong. Was she mistaking me for some other patient?

“I…I’m sorry,” I croaked. 

 “What did you call me?”

The nurse frowned. “Sera Hale. That’s you, sweetheart.” She smiled softly. “You hit your head pretty badly. It’s normal to be disoriented.”

I froze.

That wasn’t my name.

I wanted to correct her and tell I was Lila Sterling but  the words stuck  in my throat. 

At that moment the doctor entered before I could speak, flipping through the chart he was holding with a polite smile.

“How are we feeling, Ms. Hale?” he asked, voice calm.

“You gave us quite the scare.”

“I’m not..” I tried again, struggling to sit. “My name isn’t Sera.”

The doctor exchanged a look with the nurse. “Memory confusion,” he murmured, writing something down. “Likely temporary.” 

Then louder he continued, “You have been unconscious for a while. You suffered a nasty fall at work, but you’re going to be fine.”

A fall he said?

I remembered falling, but not at work. 

 “I need to call someone.” I said quickly “ My fiancé, Orion Vale, he will  be looking for me.”

The doctor paused as he shared a look with the nurse, “I’m sorry, Miss Hale, but I’m afraid your phone wasn’t recovered. You should rest now.”

Instead of calming me the words sent me into full blown panic. Why were they not listening to me? Was this a prank from Orion? Was it April fools?

 “I’m not Sera!” I cried out, my voice rising. “Do you hear me? I’m Lila Sterling!”

The heart monitor screamed in alarm and the nurse rushed closer, “Sera, please, lie down!” she pleaded as I tried to rip the IV from my wrist.

“Call my fiancé. Orion Vale. He will tell you I’m not her!” I screamed at her.

“Miss Hale please! You hit your head, you’re confused!” The doctor tried to calm me but it only made matters worse.

“I’m not confused!” I shouted, thrashing against the sheets fighting the tears from frustration.

The doctor motioned to the nurse. “Sedative.”

A sting pierced my arm. “Listen to me,” I whispered, fighting the pull of sleep.. “I’m Lila Sterling. I’m…”