CHAPTER 5
1394 Words
The first thing Thea registered when she woke up was pain—intense, excruciating. As she became aware of her surroundings, she saw that she was in a hospital. The sterile atmosphere made her gag as she inhaled. Wincing, she moved as pain flared up in her ribcage. Her mouth was dry as she tried to speak.
She wondered how she got here. She remembered the fall, her head hitting the stairs. She could also remember Zachary’s panicked voice when he yelled for Bianca. He must have brought them to the hospital. That was the only explanation.
As Thea was lost in thought, a nurse came in to check on her.
“Oh…you’re awake. How do you feel?”
Thea spoke, her voice hoarse. “Like a train ran me over.”
The nurse nodded, checked her vitals, and told her the doctor would be coming in soon. Before she headed out, Thea stopped her.
“Do you know how I got here?”
“Yes, a man brought you in. Actually, it was two of you who came in. He’s in the next room with the other woman.”
She was right. It was Zachary who brought her to the hospital, and now he was with Bianca, tending to her. She was resigned to the fact that she was going to be alone in this marriage, but it hurt to see Zachary’s indifference.
After a while, a doctor appeared with the nurse. He checked her chart and said,
“Miss, you took a nasty fall. You suffered a laceration on your forehead, bruising on your ribcage, and legs. You got stitches, and I’ve prescribed some heavy painkillers .”
He continued tersely. “You are incredibly lucky that you were rushed in immediately. 5 minutes more, it would have been serious. You need to take care of yourself.”
Thea nodded and asked. “What about the other woman who was brought in with me?”
“Well, her injuries weren’t as serious. Her husband is currently with her.”
Thea didn’t flinch when the doctor said Zachary was Bianca’s husband. Anyone who observed them would have gotten to the same conclusion.
The doctor gave her more instructions and stepped out. The nurse gave her drugs, and Thea drifted to a weightless sleep.
As Thea woke up, she felt a presence in the room. Opening her eyes, she saw it was Zachary. He was standing at the doorway, stoic. He stared at her for half a minute before walking into the room. Thea looked at him, without a beat. She knew why he was here, but nothing could have prepared her for what he said.
“I don’t know what happened, but I’m going to find out,” He started. “Bianca got seriously injured and she will be moving in to recuperate.”
“But…”
He bellowed. “And it’s not up for discussion.”
Thea’s mouth fell open. She blinked, once, twice, as if she could blink the words away. Bianca had finally found a way to move in. And what did he mean by “seriously injured”? The doctor said her injuries weren’t serious.
He continued. “I will be hiring a housekeeper to take care of her. I will be around often to make sure that she’s cared for.”
Thea laughed at her naivety. Here he was going all out for his ex. Hiring a housekeeper after preaching about his independence? It was laughable.
Without waiting for a reply, Zachary headed out. Thea stared at the ceiling, at a loss on what to do. It was going to be a long 3 years.
After spending 3 days in the hospital, she was discharged. She heard from the nurse that Bianca had been discharged the day before. No doubt she wanted to move in and gloat.
She hailed a cab to drive her home. When she arrived, Bianca wasn’t there, but she did see a new face. This must be the housekeeper Zachary hired. The woman introduced herself. Her name was Sally, and she would be a live-in housekeeper.
After giving Sally a tour of the house, she retired to bed. She still felt aches so she took her painkillers before sleeping. She felt relaxed in her bed after spending days in the hospital.
The next morning, Thea went downstairs after freshening up. It took her a while to adjust to the fact that she wasn’t living alone. She saw Sally in the kitchen and greeted her.
“Good morning, Sally.”
“Good morning, ma’am. What do you want for breakfast?”
“It’s okay, Sally. I can make my food.”
“It’s no trouble at all. It’s my job.”
Thea acquiesced and Sally started to cook. While she cooked, Thea asked questions about her life. Sally asked questions, too.
She asked. “What do you do in the house?”
Thea answered, confused. “What do you mean?”
“The boss told me to take care of someone special for him. He gave me the requirements, but when you told me you could take care of yourself, I assumed you worked here too.”
Thea smiled wistfully. “I’m your boss’s wife.”
She said apologetically. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
Thea cut in. “It’s okay. I am not offended. In fact, I have accepted it.”
Sally looked at her in pity and didn’t ask any questions again. She finished cooking and served Thea.
Thea ate breakfast in the dining room in silence. While she ate, there was a knock. Sally answered the door. It was Bianca with movers, bringing in her luggage. She directed them to put everything in the master bedroom. When Thea heard that, she was furious.
She stormed into the living room, threw a scornful look at Bianca, and told the movers to put the luggage in the guest room.
Bianca turned on her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“You may have sneaked your way into this house,” She answered, fists clenched. “But you are a guest, not the lady of the house. What I say, goes.”
Bianca threw a smug smile. “Zachary told me I could move in and stay wherever I want.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Try me and I will call the police and tell them you’re trespassing. Let’s see who they will believe.”
Bianca’s face dropped, her smile turning to a grimace. Thea nodded to Sally, and she directed the movers to the guest room.
“This isn’t over.” Bianca snapped. “Zachary will hear about this.”
Thea smiled sweetly. “I’m counting on it.”
With that, she went back to her room. She couldn’t change Zachary’s mind, but she could make Bianca regret moving in.
The next few days were uneventful. Thea’s injuries were healed, and she could finally settle into her routine. Sally was nice, and Thea was grateful for the company.
On a fateful day, Thea’s phone rang. She checked it and saw it was an unknown number. She let it ring out, but then, the same number called her.
She answered hesitantly. “Uh—hello.”
A deep voice came through the phone.
“Hello. Am I speaking with Thea Vanderbilt?” it asked.
“Yes, this is her, ” she said. “Who am I speaking with?”
“This is Ethan Harmon from the Klauson Company, and I have a message from your grandfather.”
“My grandfather??” she asked, baffled. “I don’t have a grandfather. My grandparents have been deceased for years. Are you sure you’ve got the right person?”
“Yes. Your maternal grandfather, Klaus Pearson, has requested your presence at the Pearson mansion. When will you be available?”
She was surprised at the information; it took her a while before she answered.
“Mrs. Vanderbilt, are you still there?”
“Uhh…yes, yes…I’m here. I am surprised that I have a grandfather.”
“So when will you be available? I can send a car over to take you.”
“I will be available tomorrow.“
“Excellent. I will be expecting you. Take care and have a nice day.”
“You too,” she whispered.
- Writer
