Our Reflection

14• Before The Storm

Cheryl Blossom POV

The smell of hospital gradually filled my nostrils and, in a way, made me sick.

I have never been a fan of visiting this den of diseases, where you arrive with one and can go out with another.

The only times I came to the hospital was to say goodbye to my grandmother and, a few years later, to Theo's birth.

I liked to think that I didn't have to visit hospitals often, a sign that I didn't have any health problems or my son, but today it was different.

Being in a room with my parents and a Marjorie looking like a scientific experiment full of wires plugged into my head, I didn't like it one bit.

"Cheryl, get in at once", I heard my father's deep voice call my attention and I rolled my eyes, sitting next to Tyler on the couch, "Can you undo that face?"

"I was busy, I have many things to do and..."

"How to prepare the work of Château Topaz that you put down for being a petty, hypocritical and selfish woman", Marjorie fired at me and I stayed there, feeling a side smile appear on my lips, "You love all this, don't you, Cheryl?"

"I love family gatherings, don't you?", I let out in a sarcastic tone and my parents gave me a murderous look, "Look, I didn't ask to come here. I think Marjorie can improve without my presence."

"Friederick asked..."

"Doctor Friederick has been giving orders to this family since when?", I faced my father and he crossed his arms, "It's no use looking at me with that face, I don't care what you think of me. As for you, Marjorie....", my sister turned her head robotically towards me and blinked her eyes a few times, "Don't get involved in my life, understand?! I bought that place, it's mine by right. If I put it down, it was because something much better will be born from the rubble of that old house. So, dear family, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to the office. Have a good time."

Before I could reach the door, my father held my arm tightly and prevented me from walking.

We stared at each other for long seconds and I saw an unknown anger in his eyes, but I had the impression of having witnessed it before.

Casting a look of indignation, I forced my arm and he let go, letting me through the door.

On the way out of the hospital, I met Friederick, who smiled pleasantly.

"Cheryl, why are you leaving?"

"I will not participate in a ridiculous family therapy, Marjorie will recover better if I'm not around. Excuse me, Friederick, I need to pick up Theo at school."

"With that apparent nervousness, I suppose I won't be seeing you in the office anytime soon."

"Perhaps. Be well, Doctor Friederick."

[...]

I parked the car in front of Theo's school and took the bag, marching to the entrance to the beautiful building.

For some reason, the little one sent me a message asking me to see him before the departure time.

Knowing my son and knowing he has Blossom blood, I was aware that I was up to something.

I took the phone out of my pocket and reread the message, trying to understand what he wanted.

'Music room. Third floor. Promise you will show up, Mom. I love you.'

Music room. Why did it smell like something that was going to stress me out?!

I asked a middle-aged secretary for information and she gave me the coordinates to get to the room where Theo was waiting for me.