Found

Chapter eleven

Chapter eleven...

Isabelle stood up as she arranged the files getting ready for her lunch break, she was to go check up on Jessica before getting lunch.

Since Jessica's discharge from the hospital, which was a week ago, Isabelle insisted that she stays with her as she resumes work. Her boss more than she had expected was considerate, but she was a bit edged considering the fact that he had once pretended. Tony just like her was a bit overly busy, and things were a bit jumbled, she was still trying to come to terms with the fact that her boyfriend was her twin's ex, and her father overly sick to need her help.

Just as she was about to pick her bag, she heard her mother before she saw her dash into her office space.

"I'm so sorry ma'am, I tried to keep her out, but she refused" Nora mumbled, glaring at Mrs McCarty as she folded her hands akimbo. She never knew she would one day meet the woman, not like that though.

Isabelle waved her hand, signalling a stop, as she raised a brow in quarry at the intruder "Can I help you ma?" Her lips were pressed together.

"Come on Isabelle, stop this already, your father has been discharged from the hospital and was advised to take a three month bed rest" the woman answered nonchalantly.

Isabelle's eyes narrowed, she grabbed her bag as she took a step forward "I don't have a father, the one I knew died many years ago"

The mother hissed, "can you just stop being childish" she scoffed. "Seriously, it's already getting on my nerves"

"It should get on your toes too, I don't care. Now if you would excuse me, I have somewhere to be"  she gave a fake smile, already walking towards the door. The walls of her office which was one way was made of glass, that made it possible for her to see through, but impossible for someone at the other side, there by giving her a clear view of her secretary, who was busy trying to eavesdrop.

"I will be expecting you tomorrow, we will be having a party in respect to your father's successful surgery, in the mansion, I want us complete together as a family"

Just before her hands rested on the door knob, she froze, her mother's word taking root. Her mother said it! She wanted them together as a family! Oh God, how she has waited for this day!

She was going to say yes, just at the verge of saying it out loud, her brain clicked, the picture of her eighteenth birthday flashed her mind. The little pitter patter beating of her heart seized, and the little flutter of her stomach increased, not in joy or anticipation but in anger. She was furious, but Isabelle has see a lot to let it show "You can go to hell for all I care" she waved dismissively "I don't give a fuck." Her smile was fake, her mother was up to something and she was yet to find out. 'Why hasn't she returned to Chicago? Why were they still here?'

Mrs. McCarty stood still with jaws slacked, she thought she had  played her cards well. Isabelle has always wanted acceptance, she did always wanted to be loved, then how could she reject the family she has craved for all her life without a blink of an eye? How could she? She gazed up as her eyes met her daughter's, and a shiver went down her spine. The glint in her eyes and her saccharine sweet smile was unnerving, the unusual raise of her shoulders and her last words made her shiver. 'What was the girl up to?'

She then knew how, the lady might have the face of her daughter, the uncharacteristic beauty and charisma that comes with her, but one thing was certain. This was not Isabelle McCarthy. That was not her daughter. When was she? Her subconscious snitched. She stamped on that thought, never letting it take root.

"Where is my daughter and what have you done with her?" The words was foreign, even to her own ears.

Isabelle grinned, the look on her mother's face was pure heaven, and what she would give to have it their "she's dead, long and buried"

With a gentle twist, she opened the door "now if you would excuse me, I have important things to do, I am not like some people I once knew, who where good at nothing but making peoples lives hell and wasting money" she smiled at her mother, using her hand to show her a way out.  The woman already stunted to silence noiselessly made her exist. Quietly, she closed the door and leaned back on it.

If anything she felt hot!

***

Jessica watched as the door lock clicked into place at Isabelle's departure, a sudden feeling of nostalgia dawning on her.

Her dried patched throat not at all helping the sour taste of her mouth.

Her fist clenched round the soft fabric of her dress, gently she pushed, her legs making a gentle  shove, propelling the wheel of her nightmare forward.

Getting trapped on a chair and depending completely on her nurse and Isabelle for movement was not something she liked.

And the fact that Isabelle is been considerablely nice was not something she wanted, she wanted Isabelle to treat her bad, she wanted her to be mean to her, to make her feel pain, she desperately wanted something to hold onto.

The feeling of guilt was gradually eating up her gut. Her long dead conscience was coming to life and it was not a good sign.

She still couldn't believe she cried her self to sleep the night after learning about Isabelle's past.

Knowing only aided the bitter feeling creeping up her gut, she felt horrible and wicked.

She had to stop!

She had to move on from the past, she desperately needed to forget.

But can she?

Can she let it go? was her heart strong enough?

She knew too well the bitter taste of betrayal, was she ready to do that to Isabelle?

Slowly she propelled herself to Isabelle's guest room which she was currently occupying, the cream coloured room a constant reminder of hers.

Was this really necessary?

Could she continue, even after learning all she has learned?

Isabelle was one of the nicest, if not the nicest person she has ever met. Does she really have to suffer for what she doesn't know?

Will she be able to forgive her after everything?

Was she willing to risk their friendship?

Will she be able to forgive herself?

Most importantly, could she do it?

She closed her eyes tight, she was not weak, she was strong and she could do it.

Her lips thinned, as her fist clenched.

She could do it, and she would.

If not for anything, for her mother.

***