Beneath The Mask

Chapter 3

"Abigail, what was all that about this morning?" Olivia fired off the question the moment she returned to their shared dorm. "Are you feeling better now? Have you taken any medicine? Did you get some rest? Do you still have cramps? Headaches?"

"Olivia, chill." Abigail chuckled weakly, trying to mask her unease. "I'm fine. It was just… a rough morning. Nothing serious."

Olivia eyed her suspiciously. "You don’t seem fine. You should’ve gone to the hospital. You’ve been acting weird all day, and you’re still pale. Maybe we should go to the clinic after all."

Abigail forced a smile, brushing off Olivia’s concern. "It’s not that serious. I don’t need a doctor."

Olivia leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Are you sure you’re not pregnant?"

Her tone was filled with playful teasing. "Did you and Raymond—"

"Olivia, stop!" Abigail cut her off, feeling a sharp sting of reality in her chest at the mention of Raymond. "It's nothing like that."

Her voice faltered, and Olivia’s playful expression turned serious. "Abby… did he hurt you?"

Abigail hesitated, her thoughts drifting back to Raymond’s cold expression and the cruel words he had said before pushing her off the cliff. The memory hit her like a punch to the gut, but she quickly shook it off, trying to focus on the present.

"No, Olivia. It’s not like that," Abigail reassured her. "It's... It's complicated."

That was, reaching out Abigail's heart, barely whispered. "I see…," Olivia finally murmured. She sighed but didn’t push any further.

"How are you holding up?" she asked instead, her tone softer.

Abigail forced another smile. "I’ll be fine. I just need to get some rest."

She wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Olivia or herself.