Where Have You Gone

Chapter 3️⃣2️⃣

Anne Patricia Armstrong

The name reverberated in Freen's mind like a haunting echo. For a moment everything seems spinning. Her thoughts tumbled into a chaotic whirl.

"No... It's just a name. It's a coincidence", she muttered under her breath. "People can have the same name, right?", Freen tried to convince herself, but the features of Anne's face were no help at all. The dimples, the soft curve of her lips, the hazelnut eyes all of it tugged at memories she buried long ago. Memories of someone who held her heart captive.

Faye, perceptive as always, noticed Freen's unusual behaviour. She watched Freen's gaze fixed on Anne with a mix of longing and disbelief. A pang of suspicion struck Faye, but it didn't add up. "Why is she acting strangely? Is there something between them? No, it's impossible. Freen wasn't even here when Anne was born", Faye reasoned though her mind was clouded with doubts.

Breaking the tension, Faye reached out and tapped Freen's shoulder. "We need to go in. Her parents are waiting ", she said softly but firmly, taking Anne's hand to help her off the chair.

Freen froze at the word parents. A chill ran down her spine. She couldn't keep running from the truth. Sooner or later, she'd have to confront the ghost of her past. Summoning every ounce of resolve, Freen stood up. She tucked her trembling hands into her coat pockets and followed Faye into the room with her face a carefully constructed mask of composure.

"Hey, we are here!".

Faye's cheerful voice filled the room as she opened the door. Inside Irin sat on the couch, her shoulders tense, while Richie stood beside her, gently tapping her head in a comforting gesture. But Freen barely noticed. Her gaze locked on the scene before her on the man's broad back and the way he cradled his wife.

Freen's heart twisted in pain, a sharp pain that made her breath catch.

As Irin and Richie turned to greet them. Irin's face was a mosaic of confusion and disbelief. Recognition dawned slowly, taking several moments to piece together who stood before her. But Richie recognized Freen immediately. His face darkened with anger flashing in his eyes like a storm. Memories of Becky's suffering, her shattered dreams, her lost sight surged within him.

Without hesitation, Richie crossed the room with his fist clenched.

The blow came faster than Freen could react. Richie's fist collided with her face and a pain exploded in her vision. The world tilted violently, and she crumbled onto the floor; she sensed swimming in blackness.

"Richie", Irin's panicked cry rang out but was too late

Before Richie could land the second blow, a towering figure emerged from the doorstep - Bright. He picked Richie up and shoved him against the wall with effortless strength, a gun now pressed against Richie's temple.

The room erupted in chaos. Irin scrambled to Freen's side, her face pale with fear. Richie, stop, she cried, her voice cracking.

Richie was unmoved but still consumed by rage. Tears streamed down as he glared at Freen's face. "How dare you show your face here? She lost everything because of you. She could have had her life, her dream if it wasn't for you".

Faye, clutching Anne protectively, shielded the girl from the unfolding violence. Her heart raced with fear and confusion.

Freen was shaken from the blow but still in control, staggered to her feet. She caught the sight of Bright, his gun unwavering. "Bright", she said firmly, her voice steady despite the turmoil.
"Drop the gun and wait outside".

Bright hesitated, his jaw tightening but he obeyed. Lowering his gun, he exited the room. Tension in the room lingered thick and suffocating. Freen exhaled shakily, brushing off Irin's attempts to steady her.

"Dr. Faye, please continue the discussion ", she said her voice detached. I need a moment. Without waiting for a response she walked out of the room.

Once out of the room, she leaned against the rail on the corridor, her mask of composure cracking. Her mind spun as she pieced together the truth. Anne wasn't Becky's child. She was Richie and Irin's. Relief swept over her like a tidal wave, but it was fleeting. How foolish had she been to jump to conclusions? They are twins. Why didn't the thought occur to her?

Her thought drifted to Becky, unbidden. A pang of longing pierced her chest. Has she moved on? Has she married? Was she even in Thailand? Questions swirled endlessly in her mind each one heavier than the last.

And then as if summoned by her thoughts, Freen saw her.

From the balcony, her gaze fell upon the garden where Becky was. Freen's heart wept only to shatter moments later. Becky was in another woman's arms. The woman's touch was tender, her hand possessively on Becky's waist. Freen watched as the other woman took a bite of noodles and fed Becky with the same spoon with a smile.

Freen's grip on the railing tightened until her knuckles turned white. She barely noticed the sting of metal cutting into her palms or the drop of blood that dripped silently onto the floor.

Becky. Her Becky

But not anymore.