Chapter 4 Confronting the truth

The sound of the beeping machine at the hospital got Tory in a trance. Next to her was her petite child with a drip stuck to her tiny wrist. "Is this how it's going to be when it all goes down?" How will I be able to convince them?" all these questions ran through Tory's mind as she stared at the poor state of Phoebe. "Everything is okay now. You can take her home." A voice came from behind the door. It was Mr Williams a tall man with a nice coily hair. He was the doctor.

Phoebe got up with the assistance of her mother as she held her clothes firmly thinking she was about to be given an injection shot. Mr Williams moved closer to her as he handed over a lollipop that he brought out from his left white coat.

****

Tory felt at ease by the doctor's kind gesture. "Thank you sir Williams, it's really nice things haven't changed yet in the hospital". As Tory and Phoebe were on their way to reach home, Fredrick was in the bedroom pacing around. He suddenly remembered how it all went down. It wasn't totally his fault he murmured to himself. "It was the alcohol". His tender heart began to pound as he stared at his 10 fingers remembering how he got rid of so many blood that day. He began to shiver once again as he sat on the bed. The door bell rang. Christabel and Chris rushed to go see their injured sister that their father had abandoned halfway. As they both hugged Phoebe, she giggled like someone who was being tickled by the stomach. Tory smiled at the innocence of her kids wondering if they would ever be happy again like this if the truth was to come to light. As they all got in the mansion. Christabel and Chris began to question Tory on their father's strange behaviour.

***

"It was bound for them to get suspicious". Tory murmured silently under her breath. She tells the kids to seat and lied to them that their father's business was in a bit of a "pickle" instructing them to spend less in school for few days. Christabel and Chris nodded like they had a choice not to but weren't pleased with this new change. As their mother headed back to her room while holding Phoebe's hands, Christabel and Chris vowed they were going to uncover the truth to this sudden change. The had to do something and stop at nothing for making their riches and fame to reduce in anyway. As Tory puts Phoebe for a nap, she stormed off to her matrimonial room closing the door harshly. Fredrick immediately returned back to his senses as he proceeded to go see Phoebe but gets stopped by his wife. "How could you make such a mistake?" "Our very own daughter for that matter". She grabs him by the hands as her eyes turned red in anger. Fredrick looked away like he had done nothing. He brushed Tory's hands over his shoulders and turned his back at her. Tory went round him and slaps him as she couldn't bare the sight of seeing her daughter in an hospital bed besides the day she was given birth to. Fredrick turns around and began yelling at the top of his voice screaming he panicked and didn't mean to cause harm.

***

Their arguments lasted for the whole day as Christabel and Chris wondered in their separate rooms, what could have made their parents fight this hard besides a usual day on who was to drop them off to school or planning parties to boost their fame or better still arguing on who spends the most on shopping and reconciling few seconds later. The problems in their mansion had just begun and they were all aware.

***

The sound of Tory's alarm woke her the next day. Their 15th wedding anniversary wasn't as glamorous as she had expected it to be this year.There were no balloons and flowers decorated in the room. There were no gifts wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper colours. It was like a dream that she was trapped in and couldn't wake herself up no matter what she did or how she did it. As she sat on her bed placing her two hands on her laps and bowing her head, Christabel and Chris had decided to make their day in other ti convince their parents into spending lavishly again. They decided to prepare breakfast in bed for their parents with the help of their numerous house workers. They made sure they scanned the mood in the house before they knocked and opened the doors of their parents room. As they both screamed "Happy Anniversary". Fredrick woke up in fear as he thought they had finally come to take him and it was time to face the consequences of his actions.

***

Tory welcomed her kids with opened arms and joy in her heart. At least if her husband didn't show interest in bringing her joy on their day, she knew her kids would turn up for her. Chris decided to hug his father as Fredrick fakes a smile. "Thank you". Tory and Frederick said these words at the same time. They both hugged each other and pretended to show affection as if everything was back to normal for the sake of their kids and to as well avoid gossip outside. As Tory and Frederick ate their breakfast, Christabel and Chris gave those eyes and shoved each other by the elbows as if they were fighting on who gets to keep a toy or not.After much silent bickering, Christabel spoke out with style. "I think we should organise a party to improve the atmosphere in the house". Chris nodded. "Good idea!" The couple both knew their kids wanted something but made sure to not ask until they spoke out. "You are right." Their father said as he rose up from bed ringing the little bell they used to call workers in their mansion.

***

Their first chef Miss Witney a fair lady with smooth skin but rough hands due to the pressure of cooking different delicacies came in quickly as she bowed her head gently. "A party shall be organised tonight and I want everything should go smoothly like the last time" said Tory.She summons her off with the shooing of her hands in order to begin preparations. The mood in the house was much lighter as Christabel and Chris marched off to their rooms while Tory and Frederick prepared for their big day. Little did they know someone already knew their little secret and was out to seek revenge. As Fredrick got out of the shower, a notification popped up on his phone. "I know what you did." Tory noticed the worry on Fredrick's face immediately she decided to see whether he was being dramatic again or it was something big this time around.

**"

She was right this time around. It was indeed big. As her husband handed over the phone she began covering her mouth and suddenly gasping for breath as her heart began to beat even faster. Fredrick stood there looking lost and wasted. What could this person want and how did this person come to know what happened that day. As the two lovers saw their lives flashing back towards them they turned their heads slowly together while staring at each other in fear.