"What do you mean she's alive? How is that even possible?!"
Leonardo Crown's voice echoed through the hallway. He was already sweating, and the nurse's answer didn't help.
"I-I don't know, Sir," she stammered. "We found her that way—"
The door to the room where Poppy was kept opened abruptly.
There, sitting calmly in a hospital robe, with her legs elegantly crossed, and her arms folded, was Poppy.
No—Bella.
But Leonardo's heart stuttered at the sight.
She was dead. He had checked thoroughly. He'd made sure there was no pulse, no breath, no warmth, before he reported her death to Mr. Highland personally. And he had asked him to proceed with the cremation.
So how was she alive?!
Recognizing the face, Poppy frowned. This was Bella's father's personal assistant, and her step mother's loyal dog. He was the man who'd covered up the traces of all her stepmother's wickedness towards Bella, as well as her daughter's, and reported to her father that she'd been trying to take her life.
"You don't look happy to see me alive," Poppy said coldly.
Leonardo's jaw tightened. When did this girl grow the courage to speak to him this way? "That's not it—"
"Oh, relax," she said, rising to her feet. "It's not like you were praying for my recovery, were you?"
He blinked, staring at her closely as she walked slowly to where he stood. There was something different about her, but he couldn't quite place it. What was more concerning was why she interrupted him. It had never happened before!
"You know I always have your best interest—"
STOMP
Her bare foot came down hard, right on his polished black shoes, grinding his toes with every ounce of her weight.
"Ahhh—!" He cried, hopping backwards. He nearly tripped over a chair. "What the hell was that for?!"
"Oh my God!" Poppy feigned surprise. "I didn't see your foot there," she said, barely holding in her smile. She didn't apologize. She just waved it off with a, "My bad," and started walking out of the room.
She wanted to release some of her steam, and she was glad he was the first to get here.
Leonardo frowned heavily.
When she got to the door, Poppy paused and looked at him from over her shoulders. "Is the car ready?"
He looked at her confused. "Where are you going?"
"The mansion. To see my sister," she said coldly. "Where else?" And then she walked out of the room.
"Miss Bel—" He called out, but she was already out of the room. He immediately followed behind her. "Miss Grace isn't home."
Poppy frowned. "Where is she?"
Leonardo hated the fact that he was treated like her personal assistant right now, but he still managed to say with a strained voice, "She's at an event with the rest of your family."
Poppy paused again, forcing him to stop as well.
They were at a party, while Bella was lifeless in the hospital, and almost cremated?
She smiled bitterly, before she resumed walking once more. "We're going there."
When they walked out of the hospital, the chauffeur stood beside the sleek black car, adjusting his gloves with a smug smile on his face.
The moment his eyes landed on Bella, he froze.
No...
His jaw dropped and his keys nearly slipped from his hands. "M-Miss Bella?!"
He was told she was dead. How was she walking towards him in a hospital robe, and a bandage wrapped around her head?!
Poppy tilted her head slightly to stare at the man—the same chauffeur that dragged Bella out of the car and left her on the highway to die.
Staring at him made her blood boil, yet she ignored him. "Open the door," she ordered calmly.
The chauffeur hesitated until he saw the displeasure on her face. "Y-yes, Miss Bella." He rushed to open the back door.
But instead of entering the car, Poppy walked to the passenger's seat, opened it herself, and turned to him. "Actually... I've changed my mind."
The man blinked in confusion. "Miss?"
She held his collar and leaned into his ears slightly, stunning him. "After the stunt you pulled that day, do you think I'll let you drive me?"
His eyes widened as he remembered the highway, but before he could react, Poppy lifted her knee, and jabbed it into his shin.
"Aghhh!" He yelped, stumbling back as he clutched his leg.
Leonardo's mouth fell open. "Miss Bella!"
Poppy didn't even blink. She turned away like nothing had happened. While the chauffeur winced and limped away pitifully, she gracefully slid into the back seat and looked at Leonardo through the open window.
"You should call someone else to drive me."
Leonardo blinked, confused. He glanced between her and the pained chauffeur, completely thrown off. First, she attacked him, then the chauffeur? Something was definitely wrong!
He sighed heavily as he took out his phone. "I'll call for another driver—"
"I can't wait," Poppy cut in sharply. "You should drive me there yourself."
His eyes widened slightly. Not even the lady of the house had asked him to do this before!
"What? You don't want to?" She asked coldly.
Leonardo's face hardened. "I am not a driver, Miss Bella. I am your father's assistant."
She raised a brow at him. "For someone with no dignity, you sure have a lot of pride. I wonder what Mrs. Crown would think of that pride... especially after hearing about your little outings with my mother's friend. You know, the one you take to that hotel on fifth Avenue."
His face paled instantly.
"I've seen the receipts and the guest lists." She smiled faintly. "If you don't want a copy of it mailed to your house, along with a sweet little voice note addressed to your wife, I suggest you start driving."
Leonardo's throat went dry.
Was this a threat?!
Bella had always been weak and naive. She's someone one would call an easy pawn. That's why when she found out about his affairs by mistake, he tried to shut her up by helping in ruining her. She'd never fought back once, so how did she change so much after waking up?
"I don't have all day." Her cold voice brought him back to reality.
Swallowing his pride, he nodded and walked stiffly to the driver's seat.
And they drove off.
**********
The sleek car rolled to a smooth stop in front of a beautiful estate. Lights glittered across the grand mansion. Loud music and laughter from guests at the party could also be heard.
Leonardo stepped out first and walked around the car. He hesitated at the door, but Poppy's firm gaze through the tinted glass told him what to do.
With a sigh, he opened it.
Poppy extended her hand out nonchalantly. "Help me out," she said calmly.
He frowned, but he took her hands and led her out of the car.
Immediately Poppy stepped out in her robe that fluttered slightly from the breeze, heads began to turn from the party, as a few guests outside caught sight of her.
They murmured amongst themselves, but Poppy didn't care.
She walked in with Leonardo.
Inside, balloons in soft pink and blue floated above elegantly decorated tables. The room was also decorated with tiny teddy bears, rattles, ribbons, cupcakes with frostings. And at the center of the room, a large banner stretched across the hall:
"A special little voyager is on the way..."
Poppy looked around confused. Was this a baby shower?
Across the room, Grace Highland turned from where she stood with a glass of champagne in her hand. She wore a beautiful smile as she mingled with other guests. But it vanished immediately her eyes fell on Poppy.
She blinked rapidly as if she was trying to convince herself she wasn't seeing a ghost. Her father had informed her earlier of her sister's death. How the hell was Bella in this party?!
It only took a couple of seconds before Poppy spotted Grace, who stood close to her mother, Evelyn Highland, in the midst of some guests.
Seeing the different expressions that grew on Grace's face, Poppy smiled charmingly. She started walking toward Grace, but she stopped abruptly when a familiar voice spoke from the mic on the stage.
"I want to thank everyone for coming tonight," the voice said. "Your love and support means everything to us, especially as we prepare for this new chapter…"
Poppy froze.
No.
She turned her head slowly toward the stage.
Her heart stopped when she saw the familiar face smiling beautifully with his hands wrapped around the waist of a familiar woman.
James and Sarah!