CHAPTER 11 - Not free yet
1074 Words
Alice’s Point Of View
I turned around to find the nurse staring at my half-naked body in utter shock and disbelief.
“W…what are you doing?” She whispered confusedly, raising her eyebrows as she tried to assess the situation.
“I…I…” I had barely started to explain when Mr. Smith returned.
“What are you doing here when my wife needs you?” he asked harshly, dragging her away before she could say another word.
“Hypocrite,” I muttered under my breath, looking at him in utter disgust.
Something about him wasn't right, and I could feel it.
“That‘s my dad you are talking about.” Reynolds said defensively, giving me a strange look.
“You are just like him,” I said flatly, walking out before he could say another word.
I went straight to my room and lay down quietly for what felt like hours, but was only a few minutes, thinking about what had just happened.
How Reynolds had taken me, how my body had reacted, how he dumped me without a care in the world, how stranded I had been, and what the nurse had seen.
“I won't let anyone control my life,” I said with determination, putting on some clothes and leaving my room.
“Oh, Alice, thank goodness you are safe,” my mom said in a shaky tone, breathing a sigh of relief.
The nurse shot me a disapproving look, her eyes judging me ruthlessly. I just shrugged, turning my attention back to my mom.
“Sorry to worry you, Mom, I got stuck in one of the storage rooms and my ripped my clothes by mistake as I tried to struggle my way out,” I lied calmly, struggling to look casual and make my lie more believable.
I saw guilt wash down the nurse’s face as she assumed that she had judged me wrongly and I smiled inwardly, knowing she had fallen for my lie.
“I hope you are okay now?” My mom asked in concern, checking my body for possible injuries.
“Yes, Mom, I'm fine,” I responded calmly, avoiding Reynolds' piercing gaze.
I didn't understand what I felt for him yet; it wasn't love or hate, but in this very moment, intense anger.
“Please get some rest now, I'm right here,” I said softly, tucking my mom back into bed.
As her breathing evened out, indicating that she was sound asleep, the small crowd that had gathered around her began to disperse.
“I've got some more work stuff to do,” Mr. Smith was the first to excuse himself, a look of disgust flashing in his eyes.
I knew he didn't really love my mom, but I just hoped he stayed with her for the time she had left.
“Ummm, Miss Alice, may I have a word with you, please?” the nurse whispered calmly. I paused for a minute before nodding quietly.
I followed her out of the room, knowing exactly what she wanted to talk about and preparing all my responses.
“Ummm, about before I…” she began to speak, but I held up a hand, stopping her halfway.
“My clothes got torn when I was struggling with the storage room door. Reynolds helped me out and was trying to get me to my room,” I said calmly, looking straight into her eyes.
“I am so sorry, I really thought…” her voice trailed off as she spoke, unable to complete her sentence.
I swallowed hard, struggling to hide the truth deep in my heart.
“Thank you for calming my mom down, I promise to be more active around her,” I said calmly, not even acknowledging what she was about to say.
“You are welcome, Miss, it's my job,” the nurse said shyly, blushing as she spoke.
I breathed a sigh of relief, making sure she didn't catch on to it.
I had successfully changed the topic and cleared any further doubts.
“If you would please excuse me, I need to find something to eat,” I said casually, rubbing my hand on my stomach.
“Of course,” she said, giggling, as she returned to my mom's side.
I watched her go, making sure she had entered my mom's room before my mask dropped.
Food was the last thing on my mind with how I was feeling, but it was a good way to escape any further questions.
“Some fresh air will do me a lot of good right now,” I mumbled quietly, as I walked towards my mom's garden.
It used to be my garden, but everything changed when my dad died.
“Dad and I used to water these lilies every morning,” I whispered softly, my voice thick with emotion as tears formed in my eyes.
Yet another reason I hated this place, the memories were too overwhelming.
“What are you doing?” An unexpected voice questioned harshly, as footsteps approached rapidly.
“Getting some fresh air,” I replied bluntly, knowing exactly who he was.
Mr Smith, my mom's “new husband,” and I hadn't spoken since I found out he existed, but I could already tell where this conversation was going.
“You need to go back and take care of your mom,” he admonished sternly, his eyes filled with rage.
“You need to go back and take care of your new wife,” I bit back, looking at him in disgust.
“Why did you even marry her? Did you need a sympathy case to boost your insatiable ego?” I asked angrily, remembering how he had looked at my mom earlier.
He didn't respond; he just stared at me like an angry wolf.
“Answer me! I really want to know,” I pushed further, giving a sarcastic, enthusiastic look.
He didn't respond, but his expression shifted to something unreadable.
“I don't know why you even bother staying here, it's so hypocritical,” I said firmly, determined to tell him what I had on my mind.
“Bold of you to assume you can lecture me about values when you are sneaking around like that,” he said loudly, his lips curling into a smirk.
My hands suddenly began to shake, my lips pressed against each other. Did this man know everything?
- Writer
