Chapter 7 The Other Me Is Awake

*FIONA/CIARA

I was seated on the couch, my head buried in my palms as I thought of how everything was spiralling out of control. Then, a knock came from the door.

I lifted my head slowly, eyes tracing towards the door. “Who's there?”

Shania’s voice carried playfully from outside. “Who else apart from me comes looking for you?”

My chest tightened as I heard her voice. I straightened slowly, walking towards the door with my hands curled into fists.

“Hey sis,” she jumped at me as soon as the door opened. “It's so good to see you.”

At that moment, I wanted to slam my fist into her face or do anything that'll gravely hurt her, but I couldn't. Instead, I forced a grin and wrapped my arms around her.

“It's so good to see you too.”

“You're squeezing way too hard,” she complained as she struggled to get out of my grip.

I didn't let go. I couldn't. I kept tightening my arms around her, as the thoughts of her betrayal kept flashing in my head.

Then—

“Sis!”

I suddenly jerked back into reality.

“Oh… I'm sorry,” I mumbled as I slowly let go of her.

She took a few steps backwards, eyes carefully staring at me. “Sis, is something wrong?”

“No,” I lied, forcing a small grin. “I'm just not feeling too well.”

Her eyes lingered on me as she rubbed her arms, fear leaking out.

“Why not just come in,” I muttered, gesturing towards the door. “You said you were going to help me remember.”

“Sure,” she said, as a small grin formed at the corner of her lips. “That's what I came here for.”

My heart kept slamming hard against my ribs as I walked ahead, her footsteps echoing loudly in my head. Finally, I was at my seat. I sat and gestured for her to sit on the chair adjacent to me.

As soon as she sat down, she threw me a question instantly. “Ciara, you didn't really lose your memory, did you?”

I chuckled softly. “I did… I remember literally nothing.”

Her brows furrowed and her expression dropped slightly. “I seriously thought you just said that to make dad get off your neck?”

I didn't say a word. I just exhaled heavily, leaning my head against the couch.

“Sis,” Shania said, as she reached for my hands. “Everything will be fine.”

For a moment there, I saw my friend, a sister that really cared. Then, the images of her betrayal came rushing again.

“Tell me,” I finally said, after a long pause. “Who ordered Fiona's death.”

“It was dad,” Shania responded in a low tone. “But he did it based on your request.”

“I requested a young wolfless orphan's death?” I echoed after her, brushing a finger against my nose. “Why?”

“Coz she was a threat to you,” she responded sharply. “You told dad that you wanted her home, because you found out that she's the reason why Lucien has refused to mark you.”

My chest tightened as she said those words. Then my mind went back to the conversation I had with Lucien a few hours ago. The girl Lucien was referring to was in fact, me.

I swallowed hard, breath shuddering. “You know what, that's enough catching up for today.”

I was about to stand up and go far away from Shania when suddenly, it occurred to me that I hadn't asked the question I wanted to ask most.

“Bale,” I muttered, eyes locked on Shania. “Wasn't he Fiona's Fiancee?”

Her expression faltered. “How'd you know that? Thought you said you don't remember anything.”

I shuddered slightly, but I'm sure she noticed. “I don't know… it just popped into my head. Maybe my memory is already returning.”

“But I never told you about this,” she responded, her eyes lingering on me suspiciously.

I bit my lips, regretting instantly that I didn't plan well before I asked the question. “I'm a queen, remember? I have access to a lot of information.”

Silence stretched heavily between us, broken only by the sound of our breathing.

“I guess you don't want to talk about it,” I said finally, trying to lighten the air. “That's fine.”

Shania inhaled slowly, then she dropped her head. “Bale never loved Fiona. What happened between the both of them only happened because we made a bet on it.”

My brows furrowed. “A bet?”

“Yes,” she said. “Bale and I dated for a long time, but we kept fighting. So I told him that if he wanted me to take him seriously, he should go date someone else for a while… and even propose to her. If she accepts, I'll marry him.”

My jaws clenched. “And that person had to be your best friend?”

“That was his choice,” she stated, nonchalantly. “Besides, it was her fault she couldn't see despite how clear it was that Bale didn't really love her.”

That was the height of it for me. I had already clenched my fists, preparing to ram into her as hard as I could when suddenly, her phone buzzed.

She glanced at it and a smile spread through her eyes. “Umm… sis, I have to go now.”

“Okay,” a small grin spread across my face. “Thanks for coming.”

I watched her leave. And as soon as the door clicked shut, I leaned backwards, head resting on the couch as I exhaled slowly.

Then—

A voice suddenly echoed loudly in my head. “Shania, please don't go!”

I jerked around instantly, but there was no one there.

“What the fuck is going on with me?”

“Who are you talking to, mum?” Richard's voice suddenly carried from behind me.

I swerved towards him, forcing a smile. “Nothing… mummy's just talking to herself.”

He didn't think much about it. “I just finished studying, mom. I'd like to play with my toys now.”

“Sure, why not?” I responded, patting his head. “Go ahead.”

“Thank you, mummy.”

Just as he left and I dropped my head. The voice came again—

“Richard!”

My heart slammed hard against my ribs and I jerked up.

“I guess the other soul in this body isn't fully asleep.”