CHAPTER 7: Grown Distant

Sarah

I was caught off guard when Amir's voice echoed through the phone. The cliché of being shocked barely captures the depth of my surprise. For a brief moment, my thoughts faltered as a wave of disbelief swept over me.

Amir's resentment towards me stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding his girlfriend, an accusation I vehemently denied. Despite my attempts to explain, he stopped all communication for three long years.

"Brother?" I interjected, attempting to cloak my uncertainty with a hint of reassurance.

"Yes, that's right!" His confirmation echoed hollowly, a stark reminder of the chasm between us.

The ache of longing for my brother pierced through me like a dagger. Yet, the cruel reality remained—he had already severed our ties. In the pregnant pause that followed, I believed he sensed the tumult of emotions raging within me, wordlessly echoing the void between us.

"Listen, I understand there's been tension for three years, but blood runs deep between us. We've always leaned on each other," Amir said. 

"You severed that bond when you chose to believe and prioritize your toxic girlfriend over me!" The words slipped from my lips, dripping with resentment. In my anger, I even forgot her name.

"Sarah, Jess is a good woman. We're getting married soon," his voice rang through the line.

Ah, Jessica Woods! The name echoed in my mind like a sinister refrain. With a bitter laugh, I couldn't help but scoff at the cruel irony of it all.

"Well, congratulations! Is that the sole purpose of your call? To flaunt in my face that despite her reprehensible actions, you're choosing to marry her?"

'Join me in my foolishness!' That's the sentiment I want to convey. It seems like folly has taken root within my family. I've long confided in Amir about Jessica's true feelings towards him, how she doesn't truly love him and is only interested in Benner's wealth.

But here's the kicker: Amir's infatuation with Jessica was so intense that he hung on her every word despite my warnings. 

I went to the same college as Jessica and found out she was having an affair with a professor and flirting with other students. I told Amir about it, but like a viper slithering into the garden of trust, she poisoned his mind against me, weaving a tapestry of lies and manipulation that clouded his judgment and obscured the truth.

In retaliation, Jessica subjected me to all manner of torment at school. She harassed me relentlessly, even spreading malicious rumors that I was pregnant and the father had an addiction. Naturally, none of it was true!

Despite my attempts to share this with Amir, he didn't listen, even going so far as to accuse me of causing the rift in his relationship due to alleged bullying.

I should have reveled in their breakup, but I was overshadowed by Jessica's sinister manipulation of my brother, leaving me feeling utterly abandoned and betrayed. 

Then came the incident on the yacht when Jessica fell into the water; Amir not only ignored my pleas but also accused me of nearly causing her drowning.

Faced with such unjust blame and betrayal, I transferred schools to Crestwood University and started anew in Highland Hills City.

"Listen, that's just one reason I called you. I genuinely wanted to check on you. I brought you to the hospital last night after finding you outside your villa. But despite your lingering flu, your husband shamelessly insisted on taking you home. I assumed you were content with your life after leaving Grandpa Mitchell's estate, cutting ties with me, and marrying into the Cornells."

'I thought so too... I thought my life would be happier.' 

His question reignited a tempest within me, threatening to unleash a torrent of tears once more.

"You brought me to the hospital?" The recollection of my dream, where Amir's face was a blur, suddenly felt real.

"Yes, but your husband callously brought you back home. He showed no concern even if you were on the brink of illness in your villa!" His tone betrayed his frustration.

My lips twisted into a tight, bitter line as a surge of emotions threatened to engulf me. The validity of Amir's words cut deep, especially after encountering Philip's audacious ex-fiancée, who callously suggested I should leave my husband as if it were an easy undertaking.

"I'll take you back to the hospital now to ensure you're okay," Amir offered.

As my strength waned and a deep longing to see Amir grew within me, I fervently agreed to his proposal.

***

I had the driver drop me off at the hospital where my brother and I had arranged to meet. Wanting to avoid any speculation or questions from Philip in case someone spotted Amir and me outside, I deemed it the safest option.

As I wandered down the echoing hallway, bathed in the sterile glow of fluorescent lights, a sudden beep interrupted the solemn silence. I glanced at my phone, revealing a message from my husband, like a whisper in the cacophony of my thoughts.

Philip: Did you go to the hospital?

I was sure the driver had informed him.

Sarah: Yes.

As expected, there was no further reply. Our communication typically followed this pattern: one question, one answer.

Heading to the hospital garden, I spotted Amir sitting alone on a spacious bench, accompanied by a burly man who was his bodyguard. As his gaze fell upon me, he surged up from his perch and closed the distance between us.

"Let me help you. Are you alright?" He gently touched my neck and forehead, checking for any signs of flu. 

His age was evident, bearing the unmistakable imprint of time's passage. Ten years my senior, he now stood at thirty-two. As he led me to the bench, the warmth of his touch grounded me, offering solace amidst the turmoil brewing within. Settling onto the seat, a wave of emotions threatened to overwhelm me, the sting of tears lingering at the corners of my eyes.

"God, I miss you so much," he muttered.

"I hate you," I whispered, though it sounded more like it came out of my nose because I miss my brother too. "Three years of silence, all because of Jessica!"

He winced. "I'm sorry... I know I've been a dick. Honestly, I didn't plan on seeing you, but when I saw you unconscious right in front of your villa, I couldn't help but worry about you. What happened to you?"

I made the dramatic choice to sweep the topic of his girlfriend under the rug, as he clearly avoided it whenever Jessica was mentioned.

"I'm fine. It was a little miscommunication and misunderstanding between my husband and me."

"He's a dick!"

"Brother, please... It's unreasonable for us to talk about my husband when you constantly avoid the topic of Jessica," I couldn't help but complain, my tone tinged with frustration and disappointment.

He pursed his lips and shrugged. Soon enough, we changed the subject. He asked about my studies and chosen life, and I responded with fabrications woven like a tangled web of deceit. 

I know my brother, and he'll take action in ways I wouldn't expect if I told him about the mistreatment I received from my in-laws.

"Grandpa Mitchell may be weak now, but he's still holding onto his disappointment about your choice in marriage," Amir expressed.

"I hope he's managing okay," I responded, a tinge of sadness coloring my words.

Grandpa Mitchell had always been my anchor support during the rocky times in my relationship with my father and Amir. But when I decided to marry Philip, he found it difficult to accept, ultimately leading him to cut ties with me. The idea of facing his friend's family, whom he had hoped I would marry, was too painful for him to bear, as it meant losing face in our circle.

I acknowledge my mistakes. I abandoned everything positive in pursuit of a life with Philip. However, dwelling on regrets serves no purpose now.

Feeling unwell, I visited a clinic after catching up with Amir. Despite my reluctance to have him accompany me, Amir insisted on coming along. But to avoid any unwanted inquiries, I refrained from using my married name, introducing myself as Sarah Mitchell.

They ran some tests on me. And then, like a thunderbolt in the night, his words pierced the air, "Congratulations, Ms. Mitchell, you are pregnant!"

In that fleeting moment, the very fabric of my world shifted beneath my feet.