FROSTBOUND

5 — Home

★Narrator's POV★

"Just like that Margaret, she believed in what you said. That you're truly her mother-in-law and married to her son." Doctor Kane said, pushing open the door to his office as Margaret followed closely behind.

After leaving Odessa's private ward a few minutes ago, the Doctor continued to reel in shock at how everything turned out so smoothly. How Margaret was able to convince her to be the true Juliana Macmillan after she had deliberately refused to accept it two days ago when Margaret had made the offer to her.

And how her lost memory was as a result of an accident that in truth never happened to her.

"I told you, didn't I? Now that I've taken her memory, she will not oppose whatever I ask her to do, and she will believe in whoever I tell her she is. Tsk, I didn't mean to push with this second plan. But..."

"My real daughter-in-law is already confirmed dead. She didn't make it from the coma. And now, I have to let this woman already having her face to replace her before everyone finds out about it. As long as nothing of her past is remembered, then I'm sure we would be safe"

"You're very smart, Margaret." Kane complimented, amazed by this vampire woman before him.

"I love the compliment, Kane."

Kane offered her a seat and took his opposite her as seconds of silence seemed to descend, one that Margaret anticipated the question she knew he wanted to ask.

"You still haven't told your son about this, have you?" He finally spilled it.

Margaret knew. Even as Doctor Kane consented with this and helped her through it, he was afraid of losing his license if people found out what they had done behind closed doors.

To have someone else face replaced with a dying one.

However, his faith was built on what he knew her son couldn't escape and would have no other option than to accept their actions.

Her son is in trouble, and he desperately needs this woman with his dead wife's face now to save him.

Again, the prize that followed for him was too mouth-watering to reject. It will definitely help his profession as a doctor.

"He doesn't have to know for now, Kane. You know how my son is, if we had told him right from the time when his wife was still alive, though in a coma, he wouldn't accept it. And then again, he is in terrible grief now as his wife just died a day ago. Things are better left in the dark as it is for now."

"We can present her to him when we've gotten everything ready, and that will be in a week, and by then, the weight of his grief will have reduced and he will have no reason not to accept her. For now, he would blindly reject her." She answered in a strong tone.

Kane leaned back in his seat. Even as he fought to be resolute, to discover the type of soul seated before him put him in a daze.

A woman who can easily replace her dying daughter-in-law without batting an eye.

Margaret deeply exhaled. "But this leaves my mind troubled. Our mission is never complete until I'm sure he will accept keeping her. I need to do everything possible to convince my son to keep her. It's important he does."

"Let's just pray he does. I'm sure he would. He has no other option other than to, given what he would face if he doesn't." Kane assured.

Margaret nodded and brought out a file and showed him the information there.

"This will be the information that would be given to him. I'm sure my son would definitely try to find out where she comes from when we eventually present her to him. So, it will be better to give him fake information about her. He wouldn't be able to protest against keeping her, that I'm sure of, Kane."

For some minutes, Kane went through the information on the document and slowly shook his head. This woman was indeed smarter than he assumed her to be. Very smooth in her record.

He sighed, keeping his fingers crossed. Now, her fake Juliana is awake and ready for her designed job. To replace a dead wife with a hidden identity.

Margaret's phone rang, distracting them. She excused herself to take the call and when she was done, she said. "I will go ahead now, Kane. There's something important I must settle."

"Alright, see you later Margaret. And... accept my condolences, Margaret, for the death of your daughter-in-law."

"Thank you, Doc. Please, keep an eye on her." And when she said that, she meant her new Juliana Macmillan. Right now, the greater deal was how to convince her son Adrian Macmillan about this.

~Odessa~

A week later.

A beautiful morning reflected a warm, golden light streaming in through the windows, illuminating my soft, fluffy bedding.

My mouth pulled into a yawn, making the end tingle with a hot sensation. I looked around to get accustomed to the beautiful light and realized it was morning; a day to be home again. Home with my family. Home to finally meet my husband.

I felt strong now, enough to believe I can walk a day without breaking.

Quickly, I flipped the duvet aside and got off the bed. Excitement edged with unease settled over me.

A few minutes later, the nurse who'd been taking care of me when Margaret wasn't around came in, a bag in her hand. Then came Margaret gliding through the door.

"Good morning, my love." She beamed. "Guess what?! I brought you a very beautiful dress to wear. Remember, today we'll return home to meet your husband," She took the bag from the nurse opening it.

"Oh... mother, this is beautiful." My eyes glinted at the olive-green gown, shimmering under the morning light and bringing more life and energy into the room.

"Yes, dear. I bought it specially for today."

"Oh, thank you," My cheeks flushed at her thoughtfulness.

Even as my memories stubbornly refused to return, finally I can breathe beyond these walls.

How long did Margaret say I had been bedridden again?

Three months!

This indeed calls for a big celebration as she would say.

"You're welcome." Her gaze softened. "Go ahead now, the nurse will help clean you up and get you dressed while I have a word with the doctor." She informed, already urging the nurse to work.

I nodded, letting the maid help me out of the hospital dress. Just as Margaret nodded at me again and disappeared through the door, the nurse led me to the bathroom.

In 30 minutes, I was done. I could see the smile on Doctor Kane's face as I lost count of how many times I'd thanked him, also nodding at his promise of coming to examine me every once in a while.

I knew a thousand thank you wouldn't be enough to appreciate him for all he has done for me. With God and the help of him and his other professionals, I'd been given a second chance at life.

I took a last glance at him as we headed outside the hospital and within five minutes, we were already on our way home.

I couldn't deny the loud pounding of my heart—it pounded so loud I felt it might burst out of my chest.

Margret pressed her hand on mine, which I didn't notice was fidgeting and ruining my beautiful dress.

"Relax dear, everything is going to be fine." she parted my cheeks with a smile.

I nodded at her, feeling the ease from her assurance.

All I needed was to... Relax. And everything would be just fine.

~~~

"Finally, we're home Juliana!" Exclaimed Margaret holding onto my hand and taking me into the breathtaking living room.

I smiled nervously as I walked into the room full of strangers. "Mo–Mother, you mean... This is my home?" I glanced around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, mesmerized by the grandeur of it all.

"Of course, my dear. This is the adorable home you share with your lovely husband and me."

I nodded, tears of joy pricking the corners of my eyes. This was so beautiful, indeed a place to call home.

The maids darted in every direction, their hurried footsteps echoing off the walls, excitement filled in their voices as they lined up. One enthusiastically bidding me welcome, followed by another and another.

Perhaps the kitchen was busy, I could hear clattering plates and wares accompanied by footsteps hastening to get things done.

Margaret on the other hand, kept beaming, enquiring from the maids and making sure everything was in place, most especially my room.

With the strong affirmation from the maids that everything was exceptionally perfect, Margaret's expression hinted at the layer of overwhelmed happiness as she kept holding onto my hand.

A maid came to Margaret's side, whispering something into her ear which I noticed suddenly changed her demeanor.

She looked up towards the stairs and my heartbeat again came thudding.

"Is anything the matter, Mother?" I inquired, noticing her face mirroring shock and her grip on my hand tightened.

She hesitated.

"Um...No... Not at all. She said your husband is already in the room waiting. Just that I'm too excited that it has turned into anxiety. I didn't expect he'd be home already. You know... I... hadn't told him you were returning today. He thinks you're still in the hospital. I just wanted to surprise him," She stuttered.

I exhaled deeply, also feeling the heat crawling down to my feet.

But then, making it obvious would imply weakness which I wasn't ready to show, either to Margaret or my husband.

I wanted Adrian to know I was strong and healthy now. No reason to put him into more fear than he was already in.

"It's totally fine, mother. It's nothing to be worried about. I'm sure he would be excited to see me." I assured.

But she hesitated again.

"Come on Mother, believe in me. I'll be fine." I said, stronger than I've ever sound

ed, and then, she nodded briefly then strengthened, my unwavering gaze suppressing the anxiety in hers.

"Fine... Let's go," She finally agreed.