THE LIFE SHE STOLE chapter 3
1314 Words
Chapter Three: A New Beginning
2011
The hospital waiting room was silent.
The only sounds were the distant beeping of medical machines and the soft footsteps of nurses hurrying through the corridors.
Adela sat quietly on one of the plastic chairs, staring at the torn pieces of paper resting in her lap.
Her fingers tightened around them.
A few seats away, the wealthy couple waited anxiously for news about Director Daniel Collins.
Neither side spoke.
Suddenly, one tiny piece of paper slipped from Adela's hand and drifted to the floor.
She didn't notice.
The woman did.
She bent down and picked it up.
The paper had been torn almost beyond recognition.
No names.
No heading.
Only two things remained visible.
99.999% MATCH
And part of an official government stamp.
The woman frowned before walking toward Adela.
"Excuse me," she said gently.
Adela looked up.
The woman held out the torn paper.
"Is this... your DNA result?"
For a brief moment, Adela couldn't breathe.
Her eyes remained fixed on the words.
She knew exactly what they meant.
She knew the truth.
She also knew the only person who could explain everything was lying unconscious inside the hospital.
If I tell them the truth...
...I'll go back to being nobody.
She slowly raised her eyes.
"...Yes."
The woman smiled through tears.
Her husband stood beside her, unable to hide the emotion on his face.
"We finally found you."
Adela forced a smile.
Inside, guilt and excitement battled for control.
She didn't correct them.
She didn't tell them they were mistaken.
Instead...
She allowed the misunderstanding to live.
---
Two days later...
Director Daniel Collins remained in a coma.
The doctors could give no promise of when—or even if—he would wake up.
With St. Mary's Orphanage declared unsafe after the storm, the government arranged temporary foster care for all the children.
Suitcases lined the front entrance.
Children hugged each other tightly.
Some cried openly.
Others simply stared at the building that had been their home for years.
Cassandra stood quietly beside Adela.
She looked around one last time.
"I'm going to miss this place."
"So am I," Adela replied softly.
A black SUV pulled into the compound.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams stepped out.
The moment they saw Adela, they smiled warmly.
"Our lawyer completed everything this morning," Mr. Williams said.
"You'll be coming home with us today."
Cassandra's face brightened.
She hugged Adela tightly.
"I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you," Adela replied, returning the hug.
As they turned to leave, Mrs. Williams suddenly stopped.
She looked back at Cassandra.
"What about your friend?"
Mr. Williams smiled.
"You've always been together."
He looked at Adela.
"Would you like Cassandra to stay with us too? We don't want you to lose your best friend."
Adela's heart skipped.
If Cassandra stayed...
Would she become a problem?
She lowered her eyes.
"I don't think that's necessary."
Mrs. Williams looked surprised.
"Why not?"
Adela hesitated.
"She's always crying."
"She gets into trouble."
"And... she can be difficult."
Cassandra stared at her.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
None of it was true.
Mr. Williams frowned.
"Adela."
His voice was gentle but firm.
"She has been your best friend for years. That's not a kind thing to say."
Mrs. Williams looked at Cassandra's timid expression.
Her heart softened immediately.
"No child should be sent somewhere alone."
She smiled warmly.
"Cassandra, if you'd like, you can stay with us until another foster arrangement is made."
Cassandra's eyes filled with grateful tears.
"Really?"
Mrs. Williams nodded.
"Of course."
"Thank you so much."
Adela smiled.
But inside...
She was furious.
---
The Williams Mansion was breathtaking.
The polished marble floors reflected the light from the crystal chandeliers.
Large paintings decorated every wall.
The garden outside looked like something from a magazine.
Cassandra stood in the middle of the entrance hall, turning slowly.
"It's beautiful."
Mrs. Williams laughed.
"I had the same reaction when we first bought this house."
Servants carried their bags upstairs.
Cassandra smiled at Adela.
"You finally found your parents."
She hugged her again.
"I'm so happy for you."
Then she paused.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Adela looked away.
"I... only found out after the accident."
"Oh."
Cassandra smiled.
"I'm just glad you aren't alone anymore."
The words made Adela's chest tighten.
---
That evening, everyone gathered around the dining table.
It was filled with food.
Jollof rice.
Fried rice.
Roasted chicken.
Salad.
Fruit.
Fresh juice.
And grilled mackerel.
Mrs. Williams smiled.
"Eat as much as you like."
Cassandra nodded shyly.
"Thank you."
She picked up a small piece of grilled mackerel.
Within moments...
Her neck began to itch.
Then her arms.
Red rashes spread across her skin.
She struggled to breathe.
"Cassandra!" Mrs. Williams cried.
Mr. Williams immediately stood.
"Call Dr. Ahmed!"
The servants rushed into action.
Twenty minutes later, the family doctor arrived.
He examined Cassandra carefully before giving her an injection and medication.
Everyone waited anxiously.
Nearly an hour later...
Cassandra slowly opened her eyes.
Mrs. Williams smiled with relief.
"Thank goodness."
Dr. Ahmed packed his bag.
"She'll be perfectly fine."
"It was a severe allergic reaction."
"Just make sure she never eats mackerel again."
Mr. Williams frowned thoughtfully.
"That's interesting."
Mrs. Williams looked at him.
"What is?"
"I've had the same allergy since I was a child."
Dr. Ahmed smiled politely.
"That can happen. Food allergies aren't unusual."
Mr. Williams nodded.
Perhaps it was only a coincidence.
No one thought any more about it.
---
After dinner, Mr. Williams smiled at both girls.
"I have some good news."
Cassandra and Adela looked up.
"You'll both be starting school on Monday."
Cassandra's eyes widened.
"Really?"
Mrs. Williams laughed.
"We've enrolled you at St. Augustine International College."
"I've never been to a school like that."
"You'll love it," Mrs. Williams assured her.
Cassandra could barely contain her excitement.
"We're going to school together!"
Adela smiled.
"Yes."
But inside...
She was already making plans.
---
Monday Morning
The black SUV drove through the busy streets of Lagos.
Cassandra admired everything she saw through the window.
"I can't wait to meet our classmates."
Adela remained silent.
A few minutes later, she spoke.
"Stop here."
The driver looked confused.
"But Miss Adela... the school is still two streets away."
"I know."
"Stop."
The driver pulled over.
Adela turned to Cassandra.
"Get down."
Cassandra blinked.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"But the school is still far."
"You'll walk."
The driver looked uncomfortable.
"Miss Adela..."
"I said she'll walk."
Reluctantly, he unlocked the door.
Cassandra slowly stepped onto the roadside.
Just before the door closed, Adela called her.
"Cassandra."
She turned back.
"When we get to school..."
"...don't act like you know me."
Cassandra frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't want people thinking we're friends."
"But why?"
"Because you'll ruin my reputation."
The words hurt.
Cassandra stared at her.
"What reputation?"
Adela folded her arms.
"Everyone will know I'm the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Williams."
"And you're only the daughter of an orphanage director."
Cassandra looked confused.
"How do you know that?"
Adela answered calmly.
"I saw the DNA reports before the orphanage collapsed."
"I found out that Director Daniel Collins is my biological father."
Cassandra's face fell.
"So..."
"...Director Collins is my father?"
Adela nodded.
"Yes."
For a long moment, Cassandra couldn't speak.
Then tears filled her eyes.
"He's still in the hospital..."
She lowered her head.
"I hope he wakes up."
Adela looked away.
The driver remained silent.
Cassandra forced a small smile.
"I'm happy you found your father."
"And... maybe one day I'll get to meet mine too."
Adela's expression hardened.
"You'd better start walking."
The SUV pulled away.
Cassandra stood alone on the roadside.
She adjusted her backpack and began the long walk toward St. Augustine International College.
She had no idea...
This would be the first of many lonely walks.
End of Chapter Three
- Writer
