Loretta's eyelids fluttered.
A dull ache settled behind her eyes as consciousness slowly returned.
The first thing she noticed was the steady beeping of a machine.Then the faint scent of antiseptic.
Hospital.
Her lashes lifted fully, and the white ceiling came into view. For a moment, she simply stareed. Then she remembered that she was in car heading back home from the night club. She did not remember anything else.
A weak breath left her lips. 'I am still alive,' she thought with a smile. A soft movement to her side drew her attention.
A nurse stood nearby, "You're awake," she said gently, "How are you feeling?"
Loretta did not answer immediately. Her throat felt dry, her body heavy.
"Water…" she whispered.
The nurse quickly poured a glass and helped her sit up slightly.
Loretta drank slowly. Each sip grounded her.
After making sure she was stable, the nurse gave a small nod. "If you need anything, press the blue button."
Loretta nodded faintly.
The nurse left, The room fell quiet again.
Hours passed.
Then more.
Day turned to evening.
No one came. Not her mother,
Not Mr. Gladstone, not even Isabella.
Loretta was not surprised, she had expected it. Still, a part of her had waited.
Foolishly.
That evening the bodyguard was the one who brought her dinner.
"The doctor said you can only eat something light," he explained why he had brought plain porridge.
Loretta nodded, she recognized him as the Kevin's bodyguard taking her home the other day.
"Thank you," Loretta said. Then she thought that perhaps nobody on her side knew she was in the hospital.
"I seem to have misplaced my phone and purse, " Loretta said.
The bodyguard looked around, "I think your things are in the car, I will check for them and bring it over," the bodyguard said.
"Thank you," Loretta said and started eating her food. She wanted to compete the treatment and leave the hospital as soon as possible, after all, there were still a few things in her to do list.
The next morning, the bodyguard arrived with her phone and purse. He also arranged for a professional nurse to take care of her.
"You phone battery is dead, I got you a charger," the bodyguard said.
Loretta thanked him once more. She felt that although Kevin was cold he was better than her family. He knew to get a caregiver for her while she was sick.
She thought about the few times she had gotten sick back when she was still in the Gladstone family house. No body cared, her mother would not even let the maid show her extra care like taking her food to the room.
If she wanted to eat then she would have to drag her sick body downstairs to eat in the dining table. If she missed lunch time, then she either had to make something for herself or wait till the next meal.
Loretta shook her head not wanting to think of the past.
A full day passed. Still nothing, No calls not visit from anyone. "Maybe they are just unaware," Loretta told her.
Yet, when she turned on her phone to find out what had been happening, she realized that news about her drowning experience had circulated the previous day, so it was impossible for them not to be aware.
Loretta felt cold, she could not believe that her dear mother did not even bother to keep up appearance.
She opened her Whatsapp and saw a few friends even sent messages. Some collogues from the company also asked which hospital she was admitted wanting to come and visit.
Loretta answered every message hoping against hope that she would find one from her family but nothing.
Just as she was going to drop her phone she got a notification that Isabella had updated her status. Curious to know what her family were doing she immediately opened it.
It was a picture of Isabella.
Smiling. Standing beside her parents.
Luggage in hand. She tagged the picture "Best parents in the world, Taking me out to relax after a traumatic week ..."
Loretta's fingers tightened slightly over the phone. So that was it, they had taken Isabella away, to comfort her because she was frightened.
A hollow laugh escaped Loretta's lips.The one who caused everything…was being protected and pampered.
While she, the victim lay in a hospital bed. Not even a message of concern. Tears welled in her eyes before she could stop them. One slipped down her temple.
Then another. She turned her face away.
She had thought that after everything nothing her mother did could hurt her anymore. But at this moment she realized she was wrong.
Loretta raised her hand and cleared her tears. "They are not my family anymore, " she reminded herself of her sighed document at home.
At that moment a knock sounded on the door and the doctor walked in.The same one who had treated her the night she was brought in.
He studied her for a moment, his expression gentle."I see you're recovering well," he said. "That's good."
Loretta finished wiping her face quickly and nodded.
He checked her chart, then her vitals.
Routine, but his gaze lingered.
"You were in a bad state when you were brought in, the other day" he said slowly.
Loretta said nothing.
The doctor hesitated, "Miss… are you being mistreated?"
Her fingers stilled, she looked at him.
"What?" This was the first time a stranger was showing her care
He lowered his voice slightly.
"I've seen cases like this before. Extreme stress. Physical neglect. Dangerous situations…" His eyes were steady. "If you're in trouble, you can tell me."
Loretta's lips parted—then closed.
She shook her head faintly.
"No." The only danger she was in was being engaged to Kevin, this doctor could not do anything to help her.
The answer came too quickly, the doctor did not look convinced. "You don't have to be afraid," he continued gently. "If you're being forced into something… or if someone is putting you in danger, I can help you."
Loretta's chest tightened, help? Could he really do that?
The doctor study Loretta, he noticed that she seem scared.
"I can arrange for you to leave," the doctor added. "A different city. Somewhere safe. Somewhere he won't be able to find you."
Silence filled the room.
Loretta's fingers curled slightly into the sheets.
Leave… she had never thought of this option, for a moment, the thought tempted her. A life where she did not have to face mother's hatred or a cold curse fiancé.
Where she did not have to walk toward what everyone believed was her death.
Freedom. Her lips parted slightly, but before any words could form, the door slammed open.
The sound cut through the room like a blade. Both of them turned.
Kevin stood at the entrance.
Tall.
His presence filled the space instantly—cold and suffocating. His dark eyes swept across the room once; Then settled on the doctor, sharp and piercing.
The air shifted, oppressive.
The doctor swallowed hard and pretended to be calm.
"How is she doing?," Kevin asked slowly, his voice calm but edged with something lethal.
The doctor looked relieved hearing that question. He believed that so long Kevin did not know about his discussion with Loretta then there was still a chance to help her.
Kevin stepped inside, unhurried, each step measured.
His gaze never left the doctor, and settled on Loretta who was looking pale.
"She is recovering fine," the doctor said. He immediately excused himself and flew from the scene.
"Thinking of running away?" Kevin asked.