Chapter 29: Chapter 29

EARLY DECEMBER 2019

The first time Fathia opened her eyes, what she remembered was her outburst towards Sebastian. Flash by flash, the events of the morning that should have been filled with happiness and enjoyment turned into pain. Although she remembered the pleasant breakfast she had. Seeing Sebastian's laughter and smiles, as well as their light conversation with their guardian.

Fathia really wished that when she turned around, Sebastian would be beside her. Waiting for her like when she was sick before. However, that hope was now futile. All she saw was Clara, sitting there playing with her phone and occasionally giggling.

"Oh... are you awake already?"

With a stiff movement and a sudden groan escaping Fathia's lips due to the intense pain coursing through her body, she needed to confirm one thing. "Where am I, Aunt?"

Clara brushed her hair aside slowly, a cunning smile forming on her face. It pierced right through those beautiful eyes of Fathia, but Clara didn't care. Her intentions were clear. To quickly get rid of Fathia.

"In the hospital. You're so lucky."

Fathia furrowed her brows. "Lucky?" Then she winced again, this time more visibly, as a wave of pain hit her head like a massive hammer. It hurt so much. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to bear the pain, but it seemed that even the slightest movement caused more pain.

"Shh! It's better for you to rest. Stay calm. If not, it might get worse and end up being fatal. But of course, I'm asking for a payment."

While holding her throbbing head, Fathia could still comprehend a little. "Payment?"

"Yes, exactly. Payment." Clara flicked her fingers right at Fathia's face. "And it's quite expensive."

Then, without hesitation, Clara walked away, leaving Fathia's mind in turmoil. What had actually happened? Her eyes scanned hastily, observing her surroundings. The fox woman was right; she was indeed in a hospital. The room's decorations and the medical equipment around her bed confirmed it.

She closed her eyes again, trying to control the nausea that was now gripping her stomach. She wanted to throw up, but everything was stuck in her throat. A merciless headache pounded at her, and closing her eyes seemed to have been a wrong decision.

Finally, she opened her eyes again, swallowing saliva that felt like it was covered in thorns. Why was she actually here?

Then her gaze dropped to assess her body's condition. Her right leg was in a cast, slightly elevated to prevent movement. She noticed numbness in that area. Looking at her right leg, she attempted to move her left leg. A certain fear gripped her left leg quite strongly. If her right leg was in a cast, then what about her left leg?

She shook her head softly, trying to suppress the escalating fear. Thankfully, there was a response. For her hands, Fathia was fairly confident that there wasn't a significant issue, but there were a few scratches. Using her right hand, she examined her head once more.

She hoped that her probing touch would find an explanation, but it didn't. It was true that her head was wrapped in bandages, although she wasn't sure why. Her hand mapped out the area, giving her a rough idea of how the bandages were placed.

"What actually happened to me?"

The ringing could still be clearly heard as the door to the room was opened. Also, the footsteps approaching. The figure she recognized as a doctor or a nurse with a label seemed to be getting closer to her.

"What are you feeling, Miss?"

Fathia wasn't sure if it was the doctor's voice or perhaps the nurses instead. It was a bit vague. "Dizzy."

"Anything else?"

Ah, turns out it was the man with a nametag who asked. Fathia thought he was a doctor.

"What's wrong with me, Doctor?" Fathia didn't clearly see the name on the left badge of the white coat of the doctor earlier.

"Fell down," the doctor smiled slightly. The smile was put on to cover something up. Fathia was sure of that, but what?

Fathia's memories were not all clear yet, but she wasn't in a fallen state. She was in a safe room. So how could she have fallen? What made her fall when she remembered sitting, albeit grumpily, following the entire seminar? Nothing was strange, nothing that could be an excuse. Everything went as it should. Yes. Right. That's what Fathia remembered.

The seminar where Sebastian was the speaker.

The girl allowed and even invited the doctor and nurse to conduct a thorough examination. What she needed to ask further was Clara. Yes. Clearly, she must know what really happened. And now? Where was Clara?

"Doctor, is... the person who's been waiting for me outside since earlier there?"

The doctor's brow furrowed briefly. "Oh, you mean... the blonde woman? Your aunt?"

"Ah, yes. My aunt," Fathia concealed her disgust when saying that.

The doctor smiled slightly. "She's out there. I'll have her called in, alright? For now, try not to move too much."

Was there anything else Fathia could argue about? No. After the two people left the room, Clara came back to see Fathia. Her grin was very evident. As if her victory was about to be achieved.

"The doctor said everything is fine. It's just recovery now. But it's going to take a while, though. Your bone fracture is quite severe. And yet your leg looks good. In my world, a leg is an asset."

Fathia was reluctant to respond. "How many days have I been here? And what's actually wrong with me?"

Clara rolled her eyes. She wanted to curse, but she felt it wasn't necessary. Just a little bit more and her plan would be perfectly executed. "After a series of events, including various surgeries, well... let—"

"What did my aunt say?" Fathia asked, puzzled. Her head started to feel intensely dizzy again, but she let it be. There was something more important to her than this tormenting sensation. "A series of surgeries?"

Clara simply nodded. "I thought you wouldn't make it, you know. But God's been kind to you."

"I don't understand."

"No need to understand, Fathia. Just enjoy it. Recover quickly and leave soon." Clara traced the smooth side of Fathia's face with a slow movement. Even though she wanted to crush it, she refrained. That wasn't her goal.

Her eyes sharply observed how part of that face was now covered in bandages. She sneered cynically. Keeping Fathia far from her life, that was her main goal. Letting her breathe until her age ran out, that was the kindness she could offer. But one thing she would eventually ask of Fathia.

Payment for everything she had done.

To stay away from the life of a Sebastian Sachdev. Forever.