Seven Souls

Ghosts

Sam’s POV

I glanced at Sophia as she rested her head on the window. She was sleeping quietly, her chest rising in rhythm as she breathed.

Her lips were parted, snoring softly. I ran my fingers through her hair, tucking a lock behind her ear. Then focused back on the road, putting my grip around the steering wheel.

"First stage of grief, denial," Josephine's words rang in my head, and my memory replayed that day.

Flashback.

"Did she grieve over her baby?" Josephine asked, and I knitted my eyebrows in confusion.

Josephine took a deep breath and scribbled something on her notepad. "First stage of grief, denial," she mumbled, lifting her gaze to mine.

"What's your point?" I asked, and she blinked at me.

"Grief is an important step to move on, and she hasn't even gone through that phase yet," she said, then looked at my hand as I played with the ring on my finger.

"She didn't express her sadness right away. It took about a week and I thought she was falling into depression, then…" I paused.

I realized what Josephine was trying to do.

"Then what happened, Sam?" she asked, and I lifted my gaze to her deep blue eyes.

"She didn't feel comfortable sleeping with me, but that night she cried for the first time since waking up from the coma, then we had sex." I continued.

"When Sophia is upset, she seeks physical comfort, right?" She asked, and I nodded.

"Well, she woke up the next day and panicked, saying it was too soon also not wanting me to touch her-"

"How long did it go for?" She cut me off.

"One day. She crawled into my bed the next night and ever since that we sleep together on the same bed," I answered and she hummed as she wrote something down.

"And did you two have…"

"s*x, yes Joey, we had s*x again," I hissed at her and she rolled her eyes.

"Stop being sassy. I'm trying to help you," she barked at me.

Josephine said she needed to have a conversation with me about Sophia's state. And I think it turned into an investigation session.

It was a bad idea to let my best friend be my therapist. She knew me too well.

"Um, did you two even ask the doctor before you did the deed?" Josephine asked, and I pressed my lips together.

"Gosh, that feels so weird to ask," she complained under her breath.

I didn't ask the doctor because I didn't think I would have s*x the minute she was out of the hospital.

I should've stopped her and had some control over myself, but I didn't. I was so caught up in the moment that I forgot what happened.

"No… and it caused some troubles because of the heart transplant. We were trying again for a baby-"

"Heart transplant?" She cut me off, repeating what I said to make sure of what she heard.

No one knows she had a heart transplant except her family, Alec, Kylie, and me, of course.

"You didn't tell me she had a heart transplant, or that you were again for a baby…" she mumbled, and I relaxed in my chair, clasping my hands together.

"We weren't really trying. It was just a lot of angry s*x. Then she offered to try again for a baby. I agreed because I didn't want to break her heart," I confessed.

"And the heart transplant? Does she know about it?" She asked, and I nibbled on the lower lip, shaking my head.

"No…" I paused for a second, taking a deep breath as I closed my eyes. "I didn't tell you because I felt guilty and I didn't tell Sophia, not even planning to tell her because I don't want to feel guilty all over again."

The world is such a cruel place. The most person I cared for survived while Kylie lost her sister.

I opened my eyes, meeting Josephine's worried gaze. "The heart was Christiana's, my brother's girlfriend's sister-"

"The one who Sophia crashed into." Josephine completed my sentence, and I nodded slowly, lowering my gaze off her to the floor.

"Sometimes I think Christiana is hunting me because of what happened," I confessed.

"She was brain dead, so it was too late to save her. Sophia's heart was failing, and it was down to me to give her my heart. Then Kylie came, giving me the paper she signed."

She donated her sister's heart to save Sophia.

To save the woman who had just killed her sister a few hours ago.

I lifted my gaze to Josephine's and forced a small smile. "I never met Christiana personally, but I watched her interviews and-"

"Sometimes Sophia acts like her." She cut me off, completing my sentence.

She took off her medical glasses and let out a deep sigh. "This explains a lot of things," she mumbled.

"So, there's no improvement?" I asked, and she shook her head, giving me a sad smile.

She placed her hand on my shoulder. "I would be a liar if I told you she is fine, but her mind is a dark place, and she…"

Josephine sighed and removed her hand, retreating to her chair and wearing back her glasses. "She even reminds me of Christiana," she continued, knitting her eyebrows in confusion.

"She was her donor, and that proves my theory," she murmured.

I know what theory she was talking about. Some patients who had heart transplants show some changes in their personality because the heart is the house of feelings and emotions.

Some say because the soul is tied to the heart, but I don't believe any of this s**t.

The heart is just an organ that pumps blood, the feelings are tied to the brain, which restores the memories.

"It's bullshit," I screeched at her and she rolled her eyes.

"You didn't even hear it," she complained, but not pressuring me to hear what she had to say.

A moment of long silence fell between us, then a question popped up into my mind.

"Was Christiana a patient of yours?" I asked, leaning forward with interest to know her answer.

"I can't talk about a patient's medical records," she breathed, and I rolled my eyes, throwing my back on the couch.

"I'm sorry, Sam-"

"She's f*****g dead, and no one would know if you told me how she was. Maybe Sophia is acting like her out of being guilty," I snapped at her, cutting her off mid-sentence.

"If you don't want to tell me as Sophia's doctor, then tell me as your best friend," I propped out and her deep blue eyes stared at me with sympathy.

She shook her head, pressing her lips into a thin line. "I can't do that, Sam," she muttered.

She inhaled sharply and wore back her glasses. "I-I already told you enough about Sophia. You might've to admit her into a psychiatric hospital if she didn't improve in the next few months,"

Sophia wasn't crazy. I repeated in my mind.

"She just began therapy sessions a month ago. There's a hope she would get better," Josephine tried to comfort me, but it only made me worried.

Because what if she didn't improve?

No, it's just a phase, and all she needs is to grieve. My inner voice interrupted.

"Thanks, Joey, I'll go home before Soph suspects my absence," I spoke in a bitter tone as I got up.

She grabbed my hand, and I didn't turn my gaze to her. "Please don't rush things and throw her in a hospital. I know what I said, but Sophia needs more time."

If things get that bad, the hospital will be my last resort. I turned my gaze to hers and tightened my grip around her hand, giving her a reassuring smile.

Flashback ends.

Our conversation was two weeks ago, after Sophia's twentieth appointment. She was on an intensive schedule. Five appointments a week, and heavy medications.

Now, it was two appointments a week. Josephine told me that Sophia was getting better.

And I thought Sophia was better now.

She wasn't. But she was good at lying.

The Sophia I knew wasn't that good at lying. I used to tell if she was lying to me by one look, but now I don't recognize her. She's slowly becoming a different person.

"You think I'm Christiana?" A whisper came into my ears and I glanced at Sophia, seeing her staring at me.

She placed her hands on my arm, leaning closer towards me. "Answer me, Sammy," she mumbled.

It was just my mind playing tricks on me. I kept chanting in my head.

"No, Christiana is dead…" I whispered, locking my gaze with hers.

"You're feeling guilty, aren't you?" She asked, flickering her eyes between mine, looking for an answer.

I didn't give her one because I didn't know what I'm feeling. I was angry at the world and myself.

"Are you feeling guilty because you couldn't protect us?" she spoke again, pushing towards me a baby who was wailing.

"Just shut up," I shouted and a blinding light burst out, followed by screams and more wailing.

I blinked a few times, seeing a speeding car coming straight into us.

"Sam, watch out," Sophia screamed, and I tightened my grip around the steering wheel, swerving the car just in time.

I relaxed my grasp and parked the car on the side of the road, throwing my head to the back and closing my eyes.

Sophia put her hand on my shoulder, massaging it to release my tension. "Are you okay?" She asked with a shaky breath.

"Yes, I'm just tired," I answered, opening my eyes and turning my face to look at her.

She cupped my cheek, caressing my skin with her thumb as she offered me a small smile. But it couldn't erase the fear from her face.

I placed my hand on hers and removed it, holding her hand instead. "I'm sorry-"

She cut me off by pressing her lips on mine. The kiss lasted for a few seconds. Then she pulled away, resting her forehead on mine.

Her green eyes locked with mine, holding tons of emotions while I only had a broken hope.

"It wasn't your fault, Sam. I know I told you I didn't move on…" she paused to inhale. "But this doesn't mean I don't love you any less," she continued.

Maybe I'm the one who needed therapy after all. She's still the same, but Christiana's ghost is the one tormenting me.

"So, it isn't about Christiana?" The question slipped, and I instantly regretted asking her.

She backed away and moved her gaze off me, setting it on her lap instead. "I still feel guilty, but no. Christiana isn't the reason. It's just we are rushing things," she mumbled.

Then lifted her gaze to me. "And I don't feel like having a wedding this year, especially after losing my baby."

Maybe I judged her too soon, but we didn't have this heart-to-heart talk since she woke up from the coma and it created a distance between us.

She had curiosity written on her face, waiting for me to react or say anything.

"Can we talk about it in the morning?" Quickly, the look on her face vanished, replaced with disappointment instead.

Since Sophia was a master of lying, she hid the disappointed look behind a warm smile. "Sure," she answered.

I started driving and soon the awkward silence took a place between us, leaving each of us with his own thoughts.

Only a few minutes passed, and I heard soft snores. I glanced at Sophia and found her deeply asleep, continuing the nap I messed up.

But I had an unanswered question floating in my head.

What was Sophia doing in the attic? She is claustrophobic, so she avoided going to the attic as far as I remembered.

I don't even know if her nightmares were back.

The drive was short, and we reached home in just a few minutes. I parked the car and glanced over at Sophia again, still sleeping peacefully.

Her lips moved, muttering things under her breath, but I couldn't hear anything as the low whispers escaped her lips.

I got out of the car and walked to her side, staring at her through the closed window.

Suddenly, I heard the door flung open, and I glanced at it, seeing Alec leaning on the door's frame.

“Brother,” his voice burst out.

I ignored him and opened the door slowly. Sophia moved her head to the other side, not bothered by me.

I picked her up in a bridal way and she put her head on my chest, snuggling up with me. I smiled at her as she buried her face in my chest.

“I’ll keep you safe as long as I’m breathing,” I whispered, then strode towards the house.

"Giving me the silent treatment, I see," Alec spoke again.

I ignored him and walked inside the house, heading to our room. I laid Sophia on the bed, then went to the closet and brought out an oversized sweater along with a pair of shorts.

I changed her and put the covers on her, then sat next to her, caressing her hair slowly.

“Loverboy, we need to talk,” Alec’s voice broke the peaceful silence.

I kissed Sophia's forehead. “We will pass this together,” I whispered against her skin before getting up.

I glared at Alec as he held a smirk on his lips.

I walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder, grabbing the door behind me. I shut it slowly, trying not to make any sound.

“Alec, can’t we leave? I’m feeling tired,” a familiar voice added.

“Kylie?” I frowned and strode to the living room, seeing her sitting comfortably on the couch.

“How are you doing?” I asked her.

Her gaze traveled to Alec, who stood behind me a few feet apart. She swallowed down nervously. “I’m fine, thanks for asking.” She smiled, rubbing her bump.

She only did that to bring comfort to herself when she was upset.

“I came to talk to you about the contract,” Alec spoke again and I turned around, facing him.

I stroked my stubble beard and strolled towards him. Rolling my tongue in my cavity, trying my best not to leash my anger at him.

“Don’t get angry at me. Dad doesn’t want to pressure you, but you can’t let the contract just slip away from us,” he blurted, throwing his hands into the air.

I stopped in front of him, having eye contact. “Mrs. Lenny is giving me some time, so it doesn’t concern you,” I mumbled and he nodded.

“You could all stay. Kylie looks tired,” I added, turning on my heels and walking to the stairs.

Right when I put my hands on the railing, Kylie’s voice croaked in. “Sam,”

“Yes,” I answered, turning around. Her worried gaze flickered between me and Alec. He sighed as she walked towards me, following her with heavy steps and grabbing her arm.

My gaze fell on his hand wrapped around her arm tightly. I never liked how my brother treated his girlfriends, even if they were using him for money.

They were human beings.

Kylie, on the other hand, was different. She had a heart of gold.

And I owe her for saving the love of my life.

"You're hurting me," she whispered to Alec, still loud enough for me to hear.

I lifted my gaze to his eyes, and he let go of her arm. She quickly hugged it to her chest, giving Alec a side glare before focusing on me.

"We are just worrying over you." Alec beat her up before she could speak. He walked closer to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. "I know you forced Sophia to therapy, but I think you need to seek help yourself."

“You act off and you look off. There's something wrong with you, Sam. Let me help you.” He begged.

So, I was the one who needed help, after all.