Chapter 2 Accidenté

I feel like I can't breathe, like I'm trapped in a nightmare from which I can't wake. I try to push past the crowd and leave the cafeteria, but it's like I'm frozen in place. The world feels like it's crashing down around me.

'Wow, she's a bitch just like her mother. I guess bitch runs in the family,' Whitney cackles. Everything blurs in my vision.

I try to convince myself not to cry, but I don't know why my eyes keep getting watery.

I'm going to be Jonathan's stepsister. I'm going to be a relative to Jonathan? My mom didn't tell me about this. She just went ahead with her decision to marry his father, Mr Declan Hill, the most influential man in Pennsylvania.

'You know what pains me the most?' Sheila, Whitney's minion asked. Despite the swirling thoughts of confusion and betrayal running through my mind, I couldn't help but want to listen to what she had to say.

'It's actually the fact that she had tried to seduce Jonathan multiple times and failed, then her mother hit on his father and now they're engaged,' she sneers.

'At least not all of them are losers in their wretched family of gold diggers,' Sylvia, another minion of Whitney cut in.

I can't take it anymore. Just then, my legs start to function and I try to make good use of it by running away. I don't look back to listen to Celine who is calling my name.

I run out of the school to go home. Away from all these humiliations.

As I run through the road, I don't bother to check if it's the green light or red light, I just need to get out of there. I cross the road with my teary eyes and then I hear honking right in front of me and before I can understand what is going on, I fall to the ground with a loud thud, but not without falling over from the bumper of the car. I feel my head fall first, and I feel a tear slip out of my eyes before I lose consciousness.

The incessant beeping of a machine stirs me back to consciousness and I groan when I feel this sharp thud in my head. I open my eyes, but I wince because of the sharp lights burning into my eyes.

'Really, you're so pathetic and predictable,' I hear a voice from a little distance away from me. I recognise that voice. Hearing it makes me snap back up, but then I hiss because the pain in my head is harsh. I made to raise my right hand to touch my head, but it wouldn't budge. I can't even feel it. I look over at the hand and realise that there are lots of needles attached to it.

'What were you thinking running into the road like that?' He barks, walking closer towards my bed, towering over me with his hands in my pocket.

'Now I have to babysit an adult,' he grumbles and sits right next to my bed.

'What happened?' I manage to say.

He raises his brows at me and crosses his hands, letting out a scoff.

'Now you're asking me what happened to you? What do you think I am? A CCTV camera?'

'I'm sorry,' I say lowly. I try to move my right hand again, but I still can't feel it.

'Oh, my dear!' My Mom's voice vibrates around the room as he makes her way towards my bed. I scoff internally at her feigned concern because it's irritating. A mature-looking man who seemed to be in his early fifties follows behind her with a concerned look etched on his face.

I hate those looks. Looks of pity. I don't want anyone to feel bad for me or pity me. I can handle all of these myself.

Well, not all of it though, because this headache is killing me.

Jonathan stands up from the chair and moves towards the door, but he doesn't actually leave.

'Seraphina, baby,' she comes and makes to touch my right arm.

'Stop,' I say.

She leans towards my ear.

'Fucking behave and play along, you brat, or else...' she whispers into my ear, her unsettling smile and I can understand the weight of the unsaid hanging threat in her voice.

Fucking behave or when we get home, I'll take care of you. I'll drag you down to your hell. I will make your hell inhabitable for you. The same hell you're trying to escape unscathed from. The same hell that you're screaming for help from so you don't get burnt because you're afraid, it's what I'll push you in.

Sometimes I wonder if she's my mother, considering the horrible things she had done to me and how she does not feel an ounce of regret for what she did to me. At least, that's what I think, and I think nothing but the truth.

'Jesus, Seraphina!' My mom shakes my body slightly and I feel all the blood rush to my head and once again, I start to hear that ringing sound. I wince and try to touch my head, I can't feel my right hand and my left hand is also attached to needles.

'Declan here is asking how your head is. Apparently, you were running across the road and did not look at where you were going. You were hit by a car that didn't stop to help you. If it were not for Jonathan,' she sniffs in tears I wasn't aware she had an ounce of it in her body, then she continues, 'I don't know what would have happened to my daughter,' she turns to him.

'Thank you for looking out for your future sister,' she says in a sickly sweet voice and I cough. I look over at Jonathan and he seems to be angry but is trying hard to control his anger.

Then he angrily storms out of the ward, slamming the door hard behind him.

The doctor comes in immediately after.

'Miss Seraphina, I'm afraid you damaged your brain and it would make you not to be able to use your right hand for a while or...' He stops to look at our faces.