Wrongfully Yours

Her Past

WILLOW

My heart skipped a beat as I stood up quickly and picked up my phone. My stomach twisted and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

‘It’s about Ethan. He’s been in an accident. He’s at St. Charles Hospital, room 203. Come quickly’.

The message was from Sean, his friend. Sean had never been the bearer of bad news and for him to send me this message...... it meant something wasn’t right. I wasn’t sure what had happened but I could feel the gnawing sense of dread creep up my spine.

I pulled myself together, trying to ignore the trembling in my hands as I drove to the hospital. My thoughts kept racing, trying to piece together what could have happened but the more I thought about it, the less sense it made.

By the time I arrived at St. Charles, my heart was pounding in my chest, my heart filled with a thousand questions, none of which had answers.

I pushed through the hospital doors and made my way to the receptionist, who looked up from her desk with a tired expression.

“I’m here to see Ethan Rogers. He’s in room 203.” I spoke, trying to keep my voice steady, though it trembled slightly.

The receptionist glanced at her computer screen, then nodded and pointed towards the elevator. “Second floor.”

I barely heard her as my footsteps echoed in the sterile hallway as I made my way to the elevator. I could feel my breath quickening and my pulse racing.

When the elevator doors finally opened, I stepped onto the second floor and there, by the corner was the room. My heart slammed in my chest as I walked closer, only to pause right before entering.

I was however met with a shock that made me stopped dead in my tracks.

A man stood next to Ethan’s bed, his back to me. His silhouette was broad and he had an aura of control. My heart skipped a beat as if something inside me clicked.

No. it couldn’t be.

I squinted, my gaze narrowing on his posture. As though sensing my presence, he turned slightly.

“Surprise!” He grinned. “Good to see you, Mamacita.”

Blood drained from my face as the room spun. It was him. Roman.

The man I never thought I’d see again. The one who haunted my thoughts for so long. He... he was supposed to be dead!

My heart pounded in my chest, not because of joy. I thought I had buried this chapter of my life years ago.

I wasn’t sure how long I stood there, staring at him but Ethan’s voice broke the silence, a trace of disappointment in his tone,

“How could you?” He whispered, his words filled with disbelief as his eyes met mine.

I could barely make sense of the situation, let alone answer him. How had they even met? How was he alive?

“Didn’t expect to see me, did you? Did you really think you could..... get rid of me like that?” Roman opened his arms wide.

This man..... this ghost from my past..... he was standing here, making everything I had worked so hard to hide, crumble. How had he survived? Why was he here?

I staggered backward as my heart stopped for a millisecond.

“Oh, would you need my help?” Roman tried to move close to me but just before he could take a step closer, I ran.

My heart thundered in my chest, my legs barely holding me as I pushed through the door and bolted down the corridor, ignoring the confused stares of nurses and patients. All I heard in my head was his eerie laughter.

For a moment, I fumbled for my keys with trembling fingers, my vision blurry from the rush of panic building in my chest. I threw myself into the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut.

I sat there, gripping the steering wheel like it was the only thing keeping me from falling apart.

My skin was clammy and my thoughts were chaotic. That man.... he was supposed to be gone. Erased. Buried in the ashes of a life I had long left behind.

But now, he was back. And Ethan.... the way he looked at me....

I couldn’t think about that right now. I turned the key and drove straight to Mother’s house. I could barely keep my shits together as a billion thoughts ran through my mind. This.... Oh, this had to be a nightmare. A terrible one at that.

My fingers trembled as I parked outside the gate. I reached for the handle but froze the moment I stepped out of the car. The front door was slightly ajar which was weird considering my mother never left it open.

I immediately began to hear her voice as she seemed to be on the phone.

“I tried to stop her, I promise... but she is just as stubborn as you are.” She spoke and I halted. I knew Mother would end the call if I went in hence I remained outside. Something within me told me she was speaking about me.

“She can’t know..... not yet. Everything would fall part if she finds out....No, not on the phone.” She paused. “I did what I had to do. I tried to stop her but she wouldn’t listen. Please, don’t do anything stupid. Not now. We have come too far.” She continued.

I stood at the door, still trying to piece together what she was saying when the door suddenly flung open.

She froze in shock and the phone slipped off her hands the minute she saw me. I on the other hand continued to stare at her.

“What did you do..... Mother?” I questioned and folded my hands behind me.

“Willow, what... what are you doing here? how long have you been here?” She questioned, trying to feign ignorance. I wasn’t doing that with her.

“For a couple of minutes.” I responded. My gaze fell on the phone on the floor which was still reading. The call hadn’t ended. Mr. Simon.

Father’s doctor?

Why was Mother having such type of conversation with him? What were they talking about?