Chapter 5

Kylie POV

My eyes fluttered open. I gently glanced around, and my eyes met with Mia's concerned face.

“Kylie! Thank goodness! I was so scared!” She held my hand.

“What happened? How long have I been here?”I murmured out, raising my head when Mia supported me up the bed, with a pillow at my back.

“You fainted, Kylie, we had to rush you here,” Mia explained. I placed my hand on my forehead, and everything that happened flashed through my head again.

“Where is Jackson?” I raised my eyes. “He left not quite long. Work call,” she responded and continued, “How do you feel now?” The door flipped open and the doctor walked in.

“Good day, Ms Kylie,” he greeted, slightly bowing his head. “ Zack, what is wrong with me? Am I pregnant?” Zack has been the family Doctor; Madam Wilson trusts him so much that if not for him, no one would handle Wilson's health care.

“No” he responded with a smile on his face. “ So what is the issue?” I took a deep breath, realizing it was nothing close to Mia's assumption; anything else could be handled.

“Your body shut down due to excessive stress; you have been pushing yourself too hard, and if you don't take time to rest, the time will eventually take itself out. I am sure you don't want that to happen” He explained.

“Yeah, I get it. Can I go home today?” I asked, staring into Zack's eyes. “Uhmm-”. “No!” Mia interrupted and continued, “He just said you need to rest, Right?” She glanced at Zack. “Oh yes!” He nodded his head. “I will need to monitor your bed rest,” he added, leaving the room as he slammed the door behind himself.

“Really?” I glanced at Mia, making a baby face. “Yes.” She placed her hand on my shoulder and gently pushed it back on the bed.

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I arranged my things immediately Zack confirmed I could leave the hospital. I grabbed my bag, humoring, my head gently shaking.

“Why are you so happy?” Mia asked. I glanced at her where she was seated “More than happy. This place is like a prison. I can't even do anything,” I responded, and a little smile appeared on my face. “Hey, Ky,” Jackson's voice came from behind. “ I'm glad you are finally better,” he said; in his hand was a bouquet of sunflowers, a warm smile on his face as he handed it over to me. “This is so sweet of you” my heart flutters. I placed my nose on the bouquet, basking in the sweet aroma of the flowers. “ Thanks. You know, you don't have to do this, right?” I glanced at him. “I wanted to. It is not easy to be back in the land of living” he hummed. “How did you know I was leaving today?” I pushed him on his shoulder. “ Of course I know, Mia informed me every single step,” he responded. “Ohh,” I gasped, glancing at Mia and giving her a side-eye look. “Oh, look at the time! I am almost late for my meeting” She gave a trickling smile, closing the door behind herself.

The drive to the house was warm and peaceful. Jackson and only engaged in small talk as the car approached the house.

“Thank you, Jackson; I appreciate the ride,” I said, gently removing the seat belt. He smiled and answered “Anything for you. I will walk you Inside; I need to see for myself that you are settled,” I nodded, feeling gratitude and gestures within me. “You know I am no longer that small Kylie that ran after you in high school,” I stated, gently rubbing my hair. “Let me be the judge of that” he responded and opened the car door.

I got in the living room, my stepmother Rachel, watching one of those shows that keep her from doing nothing in the house. She stood up and walked close to us. “ Kylie, I heard you have been spending the family money on yourself, why are you always all about yourself?” she asked, staring deep into my eyes. “Hello Rachel, how have you been? As you can see, I am fine” I responded, trying to act politely. “ hypocrite! That is who you are. You just pretend to be virtuous when you easily left your family for years, and you think you can just crawl back, claiming everything that isn't yours!” “coming from someone who slept with her best friend's husband!” I said, anger boiling through me. For the longest time, I have kept this within myself. I found out a few years after my stepmother moved in with us, shel and my mother used to be best friends. I resented my father so much that I didn't get a proper close-up from him till he passed away. “You knew?!-” Her eyes popped out, words got stuck in her mouth, and she blinked her eyes severally as she continued. “Well- You know nothing about what I and your father shared! Your father and I-”. “That's enough Rachel!” Jackson interrupted and continued “ Kylie doesn't deserve all this treatment from you! You should be ashamed of yourself” “And who are you again?” Rachel asked, staring at Jackson. “ a baby boy who can't even communicate his feelings!” She granted and added “Running after the same person who wouldn't look your way for decades!” “Enough!” I snapped out “ You can do whatever that suits you for all I care but you know what I won't stand?” pushing her chest with the tip of my finger “ Talking to my friend in that manner of yours. You will learn to respect not just me but also my friends. I'm done taking all your bullshit!” I stated and walked up the stairs.

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Getting to the office very early, I knew it was going to be a busy week ahead for me. Considering how I was just resuming after a two-day bed rest, a lot of work to do. Not just mine, but with some very important documents which haven't been attended to by Madam Wilson because of her recent trip to Canada.

“Who has been ringing my phone nonstop?” I murmured, glancing at my phone after the third time it rang. “ Oh, you.” A little smile appeared at the corner of my teeth, and I rested my back properly on the chair. “ Make it quick,” I said, placing the phone close to my ear. “What is this for?” His voice breaking from the other side of the phone. “ I figured we haven't finalized the divorce process. My lawyers will get in touch with you on the percentage of things listed!” “You must be delusional! Being a CEO is not enough, you still want to take all that I worked for?” He asked, and I bursted into laughter. “You worked for? Austin I made you everything that you are today! And I will take them back away from you!”