All Chapters of SLEEPING NEXT TO A STRANGER : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

AUDREY POV I was instantly engulfed by the physical sensation of my family's living room as I entered. Unspoken tension filled the air alongside the scent of old furniture polish and another elusive, weighty presence. Uncle Sean maintained his characteristic stern look while sitting in the armchair alongside his wife Carla who sat stiffly on the sofa next to him as their son Bryan slouched across from them without making eye contact.Uncle Sean said flatly while keeping his gaze sharp that we have been waiting for you.I took a deep breath, steeling myself. This was it. Laurel's instructions about "being smart" finally proved essential in this situation. Expressing anger or defensiveness would only increase their hostility. I had to choose my words carefully. I began with an assertive tone, "Okay, Uncle," although my heart raced inside my chest. "I know what I did." I stopped speaking to allow my confession to settle in the atmosphere which prevented them from launching accusations.

LILIAN POV"I believe we need to visit the hospital right away," I pressed, my words tight from anxiety. Her flushed face combined with vacant eyes burned into my consciousness."Okay, Mom," Laurel muttered while she pushed herself to a standing position on her bed. She swayed and extended her hand to touch the wall to maintain her balance. I concentrated on managing my emotions while my heart squeezed in response.She whispered to Mom that she hadn't taken her bath yet."Can you take your bath?" I asked while keeping my eyes riveted on her shaking figure. Her weakness was starkly apparent. "Yes Mom I'll try," she answered through a courageous yet trembling voice. She moved towards the bathroom with careful steps while her body focused entirely on placing one foot before another.Watching her walk by herself brought me a flood of relief. The situation seemed less terrible than I had originally anticipated. At the bathroom doorway she reached but her head unexpectedly flicked to the s

NINALillian, my mother-in-law, barged into the living room and burst into laughter. Her laughter seemed to carry an understanding joke she’d only just remembered about me.I stood motionless with my back toward her while my fingers gripped the hem of my cardigan tightly. I made myself spin around gradually as I forced a serene smile onto my face.“Finally found you, Laurel,” she said with a sugary voice. During my phone conversation with Marge I commented on your recent silence. So… unlike you.” I swallowed hard. I've been feeling slightly unwell recently.Her brow lifted slightly as her sharp hazel eyes narrowed by a tiny degree. “Hmm. These days you seem to feel sick all the time. Isn’t that interesting?” Why does this woman keep suspecting me? I screamed inwardly. Could someone be telling her things about me?Each step back and forth echoed with my pounding heart after she entered the hallway. Each sound of the wooden floorboards creaking echoed through the quiet like a gunshot

NINA.I entered my room with my skin burning from rising anger.Why does this woman keep suspecting me? Back and forth I paced while muttering to myself.Why can’t she just rest? Standing before the mirror I fixed my gaze on my reflection. I spoke my name as Laurel to her with a sharp edge from my frustration. “Why the doubt again?” My eyes narrowed. “Does she think I’m lying? Or worse—does she think I’m hiding something?” I clenched my fists. “Enough. I won’t let her dig any deeper.” I found myself feeling stronger when I woke up the following morning.The fear from last night remained in the edges of my thoughts until I actively pushed it away. Breaking down was not an option available to me. Not here. Not now. My voice was barely audible as I introduced myself by saying, "I’m Laurel," while removing the blanket. “And Laurel is unshakable.” I entered the kitchen while cinching Laurel’s satin robe more securely around my waist. The first light of morning poured over the tiled k

LILIAN POV As I exited Laurel’s room the tapping of my heels on marble disappeared and anxiety began to twist into a knot in my stomach. I paused midway on the stairs with my hand gripping the railing and looked back at her door. I kept repeating to myself, "That girl has something wrong with her." She looked like my daughter-in-law. She sounded like her too. Every fiber of my being protested that the woman standing before me was not my Laurel. I moved to the living room where I gradually settled into the armchair. Without conscious thought my fingers tapped against the glass water container on the table while I gazed through the window and replayed each moment in my mind rather than looking at the garden. During my time at the hospital I noticed the way the doctor looked nervous with his bandages as if he had something to conceal. Dr. Shawty, I thought bitterly. I kept hearing his name mentioned repeatedly from all directions. This morning when I caught him whispering secre