Chapter 2: The Mask She Wears

Adeline's POV

The cold walls of the hospital room seemed to press in on me, trapping me in my torment. Every breath was a fight, every cough an omen of the sickness that was devouring me from the inside out. Blood stained the tissues on my bedside table, screaming evidence of my secret.

The rain outside was relentless, mirroring the storm in my heart. Blake wasn't here. He never was when I needed him. My chest heaved as I reached for my phone, my trembling fingers too weak to dial his number again.

The door suddenly creaked open, and for one brief moment, I wished it was Blake. Instead, Rebecca walked in, her perfect makeup unscathed by the storm outside, her eyes glinting with what anyone else would have mistaken for concern.

"Adeline," she cooed, stepping closer, a soft blanket in her hands. "You look so pale. You need to rest more. I brought this to keep you warm."

I managed a weak glare. "What are you doing here, Rebecca?"

She laid the blanket over me, her touch over-gentle, her voice sugary sweet. "I couldn't stay away, not when you're like this. We're family, after all."

I hacked up some coughs, turning my head from her. My chest burned, but I wouldn't let her see me break. "Family? Don't pretend you care about me. We both know why you're here."

She leaned in, her voice falling into a conspiratorial whisper. "Oh, Adeline, I care more than you think. Blake cares so much about me. You think he'd still be with you if it weren't for me?"

The words bit, but I wouldn't let her see the ache. "Get out of my room."

She straightened, smoothing her designer dress with a satisfied smirk. "You've been trying to get rid of me for three years, Adeline. And yet, here I am. Still in Blake's life, still his priority. So no, I'm not going anywhere."

Before I could respond, the door swung open and Blake entered. His gaze immediately softened at the sight of Rebecca, and my heart sank.

"Rebecca," he said, striding towards her, his voice warm. "What are you doing here?"

"I was just checking on Adeline," she replied, her voice angelic. "She's so weak, Blake. I think the stress of all this is getting to her."

Blake turned to me, his face hardening. "You should be more grateful, Adeline. Rebecca's been nothing but kind to you."

I laughed, bitter, though it came out as more of a rasp. "Kind? Is that what you call this circus act?"

Rebecca faked being hurt, her eyes glimmering with sham tears. "I'm just trying to help. I know she doesn't like me, but I can't stand by and do nothing."

"Enough, Adeline," Blake snapped, his voice razor-sharp. "Rebecca's been helping me deal with all of this. The least you could do is show her some respect."

I turned my head away, my chest tightening with anger and despair. "Why don't you ask her why she's here, Blake?"

Rebecca reached out and laid a hand on his arm. "It's okay, Blake. I'm used to her hostility. I'll leave you two alone."

She cast one final, smug glance in my direction before turning and exiting the room, her heels clicking on the tile floor.

The room felt a little vacant with her gone, but Blake was still tense. He turned his back to me, staring out the window at the rain.

"Why do you hate her so much?" he asked in a low voice.

I wanted to scream, to tell him the truth about Rebecca's manipulations, but my body was too weak, my heart too broken. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," I whispered.

He turned to face me, unreadable. "You're always playing the victim, Adeline. Maybe if you stopped, things would be better between us."

His words stung more than I cared to admit. "Is that what you think? That I'm playing the victim? Do you even see what's happening to me?"

He looked at me for a long moment, then sighed. "I'll have the doctor check on you. Try to get some rest."

As he turned to leave, I let my eyes fall and the tears rolled. All I ever wanted was for you to love me back, Blake. But maybe that's just a dream I'll never wake from.

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Rebecca's POV

Blake waited for me in the hall, his brow furrowed with concern.

"She's being difficult, isn't she?" I whispered, placing my hand on his arm in a comforting gesture.

He nodded, running a hand through his hair. "She's always difficult. I don't know how to deal with her anymore."

"She's just scared," I said with mock sympathy. "Maybe she feels like you don't care about her."

Blake sighed. "I don't know what she wants from me. All I've done is try to make her happy and it's never enough."

I gave him an encouraging smile. "You're doing your best, Blake. She'll come around eventually. Just give her some time."

He nodded, but his face remained troubled. I bit back a smile, knowing my words would sow seeds of doubt in his mind.

Adeline, you've always underestimated me. But this is my story now, and I will make sure Blake never sees you for what you truly are.