Chapter 2 Darkness, My Only Friend

Aria

I walked down the stairs, using my walking stick for support. It’s been a few days since I got back, and I have been indoors, focusing on my recovery. My private doctor has also been coming often to check on my health and progress. I am glad the massage therapy helped. I feel better, and so do my muscles. There has been a lot of pent-up anger burning inside me; the more my memories of that night clears, the angrier I become. But thankfully, the massage helped me calm my nerves. I needed to get myself together if I wanted revenge.

“Mrs Smith,” my PA, William, says as I stand by the window, watching my so called family play around in the garden. I looked at them quietly, they are surely excited about Lily's pregnancy.

“You tried to warn me,” I mumbled.

He sighed. “It’s in the past. I’m just glad you’re okay,” he replied. I turned to him. I could see the pitiful look in his eyes. How did they fool me for so long?

I smiled. “I’m happy to see you. Feels good to know one person didn’t betray me,” I say, turning back to them.

“What are we going to do? I don’t trust them,” he said. I also didn’t trust them. I can’t guarantee my safety but I know they won’t do anything to me right now. They are yet to get their hands on my will. They wouldn't have kept me so long in the hospital if they had. They needed me alive.

“We are going to get back at them,” I replied.

“How?”

I breathed out. “Let’s not discuss that now; I am more focused on my recovery. Does the media know I’m awake?” I asked.

“No, Mr Smith wanted it discrete,” he replied.

I nodded. “I will need new bodyguards. The bodyguards were all hired by Richard. They all must be working for him,” I say.

“Yes, you’re right. Don’t worry, ma’am, I will come up with a plan to get rid of them and hire new body guards so it won’t look suspicious,” he replied. I sighed.

“Finding out their betrayal, they must have been extorting from me and the company. Richard hired some of my workers. The company must be drowning in debts that I am not aware of,” I said.

“Yes, I did all the investigations while you were in a coma. And you’re correct. I sent a file to you; it contains all the information you need,” he said. I was glad William had done all this. He has been working with me since I took over the company when I was 18 years old. It’s all thanks to him that I’m here, which is one more reason why I should have paid attention to what he was trying to tell me. I was blinded by the love I had for my family.

“Which of them is innocent?” I asked. It was a grave question but needed to be asked.

“None,” he whispered. “Except Lily.”

I staggered backwards, losing my balance, but William caught me. My heart broke into a million pieces; I felt the pain from that night all over again.

“Even Aunt Mila and my cousins,” I whispered.

“Get yourself together, Aria,” William whispered. I sniffed, my hands shaking.

“What’s going on?” Richard’s voice boomed as he ran to us. He removed Williams' arms from my body harshly.

“Why are you touching my wife?" he snapped.

“I apologise, Mr Smith. She lost consciousness for a second,” he replied, bowing his head.

“I don’t want you touching my wife; you are nothing but a lowly PA,” Richard snapped. I sighed, rubbing my temple.

“I apologise," he says. Richard turned to me.

“What are you doing outside your room? You’re not strong enough,” he said worriedly.

“I want to sit,” I mumbled. He nodded, helping me to the couch. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes.

“You can leave, Williams,” I mumbled. He bowed his head.

“Leave? Not until I know what he was discussing with you to make you lose consciousness,” Richard snapped. I sighed, feeling genuinely tired.

“Nothing much, sir; I was only checking up on her health,” Williams replied.

“I don’t believe you; you’ve always been sneaky. I don’t want you near my wife,” he snapped.

“Williams, leave,” I said, my voice harsh, and Richard knows he can’t argue with me. Williams bowed his head and walked away.

“I don’t like him, Aria. I told you so many times to fire him. He's…” I cut him off.

“You’re pregnant,” I said, staring at Lily like I’m seeing her for the first time. They all turned to me stunned.

“You can’t remember?” Mom asked. I frowned.

“Who’s the father?” I snapped. Lily looked at me confused, and Richard grabbed my hand, rubbing it softly.

“We already told you, Aria,” he says. I raised my brows.

“Told me what?” I asked. His mouth opened and closed with no words coming out.

“The doctor explained she would have temporary memory loss. This must be it,” my stepfather, Sam, recalled.

“Take her to the room,” Mom says. I shook my head stubbornly.

“I demand to…” I stopped talking as I felt the sharp pain in my head. I hissed, holding my head.

“Call the doctor,” Richard says as he carries me bridal style. I slumped on his chest, hating how pitiful and weak I was. I need to be strong; I need to get out of this house. That’s the only way I would get my revenge.

“It’s funny seeing her this way. The mighty Aria has fallen,” Lily said, giggling, and they all laughed with her. I held in my whimper. That is the girl I gave all to, making sure she never had to suffer. At first, it made me happy that she didn’t extort from me. But she was just as evil as them. And has the guts to get pregnant for my husband.

They had been sleeping around under my roof. That explains the midnight disappearance, the scent, the brown hair on his clothes. And he had the guts to sleep with me and kiss me on the lips. Moan my name, just like he moaned hers. I was beyond disgusted, and the anger I managed to push back came rushing back and it felt like I was going to lose it. But this time, I gave into the darkness. Hello darkness, my only friend.