Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 30

Memory of a murderer

Nakaupo lamang ako habang nakatingala sa kisame at patuloy na binabalikan ang nangyari. I was in a car accident. My car plunged off a bridge, and I thought I was going to die, but somehow, I'm here, staring blankly at this darn hospital room.

Where is everyone? What day is it? Was I in a coma? Why do I feel like something has come back and gone missing in me?

"Celeste?"

Tiningnan ko ang nagsalitang ito.

"Oh, baby, thank goodness," Arik mumbled and rushed to hug me, but I couldn't move and just held my head.

"Nandito ka na?" I asked him in surprise.

Nang humiwalay siya sa akin ay bahagya niya pang inayos ang bandage sa noo ko habang nagtataka akong tinititigan.

"Of course, I'm here. Where would I go? Hindi ako umalis hangga't hindi ko nakikitang gising ka na."

Now, I was the one confused by what he said.

"W-why? Didn't you leave the country?"

"What? I didn't leave, Celeste. What are you talking about?"

"Arik, you left the country. You and your family, after Mommy died. Kailan ka pa bumalik? Paano mo ako nahanap?"

Napansin kong tila natigilan siya. Ni hindi ko rin maintindihan kung ano ang nangyayari. Iyon lang ang naaalala ko. He left the country with his family after Mommy died—wait, no. No.

I sat up and tried to gather my thoughts.

"Celeste..."

"N-no. Mom didn't die, right? I remember seeing who was really at that funeral. It wasn't Mom, Arik. I'm certain..." I paused, trying to remember everything, but suddenly the door opened, and Mom and Dad, along with Oliver and Benj, came in behind them.

"Celeste, darling... Thank God." Mommy Harper hugged me so tightly that I couldn't breathe.

"The doctor told us that you might wake up now, so we rushed here. Thank goodness you woke up," Dad said and helped Mom sit down.

"Celeste, natatandaan mo ba kung ano ang nangyari bago ka mahulog sa tulay na iyon?" Oliver asked, looking at me intently.

When I tried to recall that memory, it didn't concern me at all. I looked at Arik and held his arm.

"Our daughter... Where is she? Did you find her? She was taken by your stepsister, Arik."

"Sshh. Ariah is safe now, baby. I'll bring her here later—"

"No, you can't. I don't want her to see me like this," I quickly cut him off.

Lumipas ang ilang minuto ay wala pa rin ako sa wisyo maliban na lamang sa mga piraso ng alaala na tila nagbalik sa utak ko bigla.

Why did I suddenly forget them? Why didn't I take any action when I found out? Was it because I was too young back then and couldn't handle it?

And this is also Dad's doing—Armando Yuchengco's doing, right?

"Just let me know if you need anything. Your Mom needs to rest, dear. We'll visit you again tomorrow," Dad said as he kissed me on the head.

"Thanks, Dad."

Sa sulok ay naririnig ko ang pag-uusap nina Arik at Oliver. Maya-maya pa, sabay na dumating sina Kim at Aurora at agad akong dinaluhan.

"Shit! Akala ko ay mamamatay ka na!" Aurora hissed, and Kim quickly slapped her.