FAIT ACCOMPLI

Riley sits by Caroline, and continues to look gobsmacked.

"You are Caroline, Ellana's mother, aren't you?" Riley asks, examining the possible intruder. Caroline gives an unwelcoming stare, before replying: "Are you hinting at some formal ID, Riley? You've been going out with my daughter for four years, I'd expect you to know me by now."

"Ellana told me you were dead. She said it was peaceful, but she definitely said you were dead, Caroline." Riley hesitantly tells her.

"Why? Ellana phoned me and told me to come here. She said she'd been involved in a car crash. Where is she? I want to see her, I think we need answers, both of us." Caroline tells Riley, before uplifting herself and parading over to reception.

"She's in Resus still. I'll show you where she is now, Caroline." Riley walks Caroline over to the doors of Resus, before pushing them open and walking in to find Ellana on her bed. She has a mobile phone in her hand, and appears to be texting someone.

"Mum!" Ellana shrieks. Her eyes enlarge even more, and she goes a pale red with embarrassment.

"What's going on, Ellana? Why are you lying to me?" Riley assertively asks Ellana. She pauses. Riley and Caroline both look and overshadow Ellana. "I want answers now!" Shouts Riley aggressively, before snatching her phone out of her hand. He goes to turn the phone back on, but a password prevents him from gaining access to her device. "What's the password?" Riley asks, his face a dangerous red with anger. "I SAID WHAT'S THE PASSWORD?!" He asks again.

"8257!" Ellana screams. Tears fall from her face, she shakes with fear.

Caroline walks over to Riley. She also peers in at the phone. Riley unlocks the phone, and opens the 'Messages' app. He sees a half-composed text message. It reads: 'Thank you for today. I know it's difficult finding time when both of us are off, and can meet up. I love and miss you so dearly. If only I could escape. Fait accompli, 'ey?'

Riley and Caroline stare shocked at the message.

"Fait accompli? I guess fait accompli it is then! You cheating bitch. Rot in hell with your new man. In fact, before I go, take a look at your poor mother. You told me she was dead. DEAD! We both deserve better than you." Riley shouts belligerently. He slams her phone to the floor, shattering the screen and breaking the phone completely. He then storms out of Resus, through the hospital's doors and over to his car. He gets in, and drives off, never to be seen again...

"I'm sorry, Mum. He abused me. Did you not just see his violent outburst? He beats me at home, when I ask him for money. Please? Having another man on the side was my way out, my way of believing I was free, safe." Ellana cries to Caroline.

"You're lying, Ellana. There aren't any bruises on you. You've been with him for four years. I've never, ever seen a bruise on you. You're a twisted person. You told him I was dead. I'm sorry, but it's shameful calling you 'my daughter'. You're a disgrace to my family, Ellana. A once lovely, considerate girl who is now a cheating, lying, malicious bitch. I don't want you to come near me nor MY family again, am I crystal clear?" Caroline says to Ellana, surprisingly managing to keep her composure.

"MUM! Please? Don't go!" Ellana screams, like a four year-old in a superstore having a tantrum.

But Caroline has none of it, and walks out of Resus. Tears fall from her face. Distraught and drained emotionally just from those few minutes, Caroline walks out of the hospital as well.

Ellana continues to lie in Resus, bawling her eyes out. Realising she's lost everything in her life in just a matter of minutes. A family which was once secure and tight, shattered by one secret, one lie.