"Ah…" Fidelia groaned softly as she slowly opened her eyes. The pain hit her all around her body. Her head throbbed, but the ache was starting to fade.
Her vision was blurry at first, then it cleared, and she was able to make out her surroundings. She was back at her place in her own room.
Slowly, she sat up, placing the pillow behind her back for support. What happened? she thought, trying to piece her memory together.
That was when she heard the door creak open. She turned her head and saw Sera coming in with a mug in her hands.
"Fidelia, you're weak," Sarah said softly, closing the door behind her and hurrying over. She pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed.
".. how are you feeling now?" Sarah asked.
"I'm better," Fidelia questioned her. "What happened? Why am i here?"
Sarah's brows furrowed. "What do you mean what happened?"
Sarah gave her a worried look. "You don't remember?"
Fidelia placed her hand on her head. "No, I don't. The last thing I remember was being in Dr. Thompson's office. We were having a hypnotherapy session."
Sarah sighed. "You don't remember walking out of the hospital and telling me to go home?"
"Go home?" Fidelia frowned.
"Yes. You told me that yourself."
"You must be joking..It was your first at work and you wanted a day off"
"I didn't want it you gave me…I thought you were joking or tired, but you insisted. You took the car keys and left. Then Mia called, asking where you were, so I told her. She followed you. The next thing I heard… you jumped off the bridge."
Sarah's voice cracked as she spoke. "Long story short, Andrian showed up and pulled you out before you drown and brought you here in an helicopter to get you. After that, I drove you car and picked mia up we had a few conversations and then we got here and here we are."
Fidelia went silent, her eyes lowering. Slowly, the realization crept in. She finally figured out that alter took over.
'It was Iris'
"Sarah," she said quietly. "Tell me everything that happened from the beginning. Don't leave a single detail."
Sarah narrated all the details to her and everything became more clearer to her.
"I have something else to say." Sarah said in a rather trembling voice as if she was about to break down
"Mia told me not to tell Andrian… not to say anything. But… I couldn't hide it from him. He was terrifying."
Fidelia looked up at her. "What do you mean?"
"He threatened me." She lowered her gaze. "I wanted to keep it a secret, but I couldn't. So I told him everything. Everything that happened from my side."
The room went quiet for a second. Fidelia blinked slowly as she simply stared ahead for a moment, then smiled bitterly.
It wasn't something she could've hidden from Andrian forever. Deep down, she knew this day would come so she didn't blame Sarah.
Because she knew exactly how Andrian was.
If he wanted information, he would find it and he would do it by any means necessary.
Finally, she turned to Sarah and spoke, placing a hand on her cheek.
"Don't worry about it. It's alright."
Sarah's lips parted in protest, but all she could manage was a small nod.
"Thank you."
Sarah looked like she might cry. Fidelia reached out, touching her shoulder gently. "It's okay," she whispered.
Sarah nodded, stood up quickly, and stepped out of the room. Fidelia heard her footsteps heading toward the kitchen.
When she followed a few minutes later, the smell of toasted bread filled the air.
"Mmm, that smells nice," Fidelia said with a small smile.
Mia turned around immediately, eyes wide. "Fidelia! You're awake!" She dropped what she was doing and ran over to hug her.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Fidelia chuckled, rubbing her arm. "Okay, you're starting to crush me."
Mia pulled back, half-laughing, half-relieved.
"Yeah, I think I scared myself too," Fidelia said softly. "Technically, it wasn't me." She paused after Mia gave her an awkward eye contact "So I heard everything from… Sarah. It seems we've got a lot of problems on our hands."
Mia shot her a look, half worried, half amused. "You're telling me. FYI I don't like your soon-to-be husband."
Fidelia blinked. "What? What happened between you two?"
Mia gave a small laugh. "Well… we kind of… almost fought."
"Really?" Fidelia, slightly shocked asked.
"Yeah…and trust me it wasn't pretty" Sarah added
Fidelia smirked. "Didn't know you could get Andrian pissed and still live to tell the tale."
Mia sighed, shaking her head. "Trust me, I was shaken. If his friend, Kira, hadn't stepped in, things would've gotten ugly. He was this close to kicking me out…he said I was interfering and keeping secrets from him. But I wasn't going to back down, you know."
Fidelia's expression softened. "Mia, that's… actually kind."
"Ah, I know," Mia said with a dramatic sigh. "If you want to help me recover from the trauma, write me a cheque. Maybe add a few zeros. I'll take that as compensation for my fragile heart being threatened."
Fidelia laughed. "Not happening."
"Damn it," Mia muttered, then grinned. "Anyway, what I am doing is making sandwiches. You want one?"
"Yes, please. I'm starving."
Mia handed her a plate, and Fidelia began eating quietly. But as she chewed, she noticed something off. Mia and Sera were exchanging glances, whispering silently to each other.
Fidelia set down her sandwich. "Alright. What's going on?"
Mia hesitated. "We've got good news… and bad news. Which one do you want first?"
"Let's start with the bad."
Mia sighed. "Well… I couldn't stop Andrian. He's on his way to the doctor right now, trying to learn everything about what happened to you. I already called the doctor and warned him not to say anything, so we should be safe for now. But honestly?"
She looked up, her tone darkening. "He'll find out, Fidelia. He always does. And when he does, he'll do whatever it takes."
Fidelia's jaw tightened. "That sounds like him."
Sarah crossed her arms. "And the other bad news is you missed a board meeting at Top Notch Investments, one with Shansong-Cars Corporation, and a few minor ones. Don't worry Mia covered for you. We had someone sit in your place. I'll give you a full report later."
Fidelia nodded slowly, processing everything. "Alright… and the good news?"
Mia's face lit up instantly. "Now this will make you smile, guess what your name's finally been cleared."
Fidelia blinked. "Really? I'm Top 1 now?"
"Yep! And guess what it's still trending. You're the most popular person today. Everyone's talking about you!"
Fidelia smiled genuinely for the first time in days. "This is good. It should help Andrian when he launches his product… more money for me!"
Mia grinned, but the joy in her eyes flickered when she looked toward Fidelia's phone on the counter.
It buzzed once. Then again the same way
The screen glowed faint blue and flashed with series of code after it had assembled a voice finally spoke from the phone.
"Hello, Fidelia…"
Fidelia froze mid-breath.
Sarah's smile vanished as Mia looked at her, confused. "What is it?"
Fidelia's voice dropped to a whisper.
"It's April."