Chapter seven

 Fault Lines

Cesare’s POV

Rosette didn’t just grab me, she clung to me. Her fingers dug into my jacket like her life depended on it. The fabric creased under her grip. 

“Cesare” she whispered, her body shaking against mine. 

I patted her back gently, “I am here.” 

“Don't take her, please” 

I stilled, “This wasn't meant for me.” I said quietly. 

She lifted her head slowly, her eyes wide open and unfocused. She stared through me instead of at me, “They said she’d cry if I touched her too much.”

Shivers rushed down my spine. “What did you just say?” 

She blinked twice and sighed. “I'm talking about my child… she was so small.”

My grip around her tightened. Rosette has never said something like this before. This weren't mere thoughts, she was relieving things… things meant to be buried. 

“Rosette,” I said firmly. “You’re here. Look at me.”

She didn't heed to my words, instead she held onto me more. “I shouldn’t know that,” she whispered. “I wasn’t there. I died.”

“Rosette,” I called out softly.

She turned her face to me, I froze instantly at what I saw. Her face was pale, devoid of color as though she was covered with a polythene bag. 

She parted her lips, “I'm sorry, Cesare.” she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It's okay Rose.” 

“I trusted the wrong person Cesare, I'm sorry.”

My heart clenched, “It's ok Rose, I under–” 

The words stuck in my mouth when I realized Rosette wasn't responding. “Rosette! Rosette!!” I called her, “What's wrong with you?” 

Panic surged into my bloodstream, I lifted her in my arms, my head exploding from many wild thoughts. 

“Oliver! Oliver!! Oli–” 

“Yes sir,” my assistant rushed in, stilling as soon as he saw me. “Sir, you called… me.”  

“Hurry up, get the car ready.” I said adjusting Rosette In my arms. “She's not responding… Arrange for the doctor ASAP.” 

“Okay sir,” he bowed and left. 

I followed suit some minutes later. 

(Later — at the house)

Dr. Moretti’s expression changed the moment he examined her pupils. Rosette stirred immediately, her gaze locked on the doctor. 

“How long has she been experiencing memory overlap?” he asked.

“She hasn’t,” I said.

Rosette laughed weakly. “He’s lying.”

My head snapped toward her, “Rosette!”

“You said I was dead,” she continued, staring at the ceiling. “But I remember the smell of antiseptic. I remember counting ceiling tiles. I remember her cry.”

The doctor straightened slowly. “This isn’t fainting. This is neurological stress, it is E

extreme and she needs 247 medical observation.”

“No,” I said. “She needs rest, I know how this started.” 

“She could regress further.” he pressed on. 

“I said no. She's not going anywhere with you… not now, not ever.”

Rosette reached for me then, her fingers curling into my sleeve again. “Don’t let them lock me away,” she whispered. “If I sleep… I don’t know where I’ll wake up.”

My chest felt heavy at her words, “No one's taking you away. That's my promise to you.” 

“You promise me that?” 

I forced a smile, “yes, I promise you that. I'm here with you.” 

She let go of my sleeve immediately, “I'll be a good girl then. I'll wait for my daughter.” 

I exchanged uneasy glances with the doctor who began packing up his tools. 

“Cesare, you'll take me to my daughter right?” 

The doctor stilled on hearing that from her and so did I. He turned around to her, “What did you just say ma'am?” 

Rosette sat up immediately, “ I said, Cesare will take me to bring my daughter home. Her father took her so she'd stop crying.”

The doctor stared at me and adjusted his spectacle, “Mr Cesare, I'll be on my way now.”

“But doctor…” 

He simply shrugged, “I already told you what I had to, the ball's in your court now.”

“She's your patient for God's sake, why–” 

My phone beeped so I stepped out briefly to handle security. It took me less than three minutes to resolve the issue. 

When I returned, the room was empty. The IV line cut cleanly and then window was open. I went out to see my men unconscious.

I searched around the room immediately, “Rosette! Rose–” The words stuck in my mouth as my eyes landed on the floor smeared with blood. 

My phone binged, a message from an unknown number. 

I clicked it and it was a video, not just any video… It was Rosette. She was unconscious and a time bomb was tied to her. 

“You have 30 mins to find her, else we'll send her back to you in shreds.”