I was always the second option, the afterthought. It should have felt better that I belonged to a different family, but it hurt twice as much.
“I'm sorry, Lena. I… I didn't mean to overwhelm you. I just thought you deserved to know,” Asher said as he rushed at me, wiping off the tears that fell down my cheeks.
I couldn't speak. Couldn't think. My chest tightened as tears rolled down my cheeks. Everything felt like it was crashing down all at once.
I clutched the sheets, holding on like they could somehow hold me together. Asher didn’t say a word. He just sat there, his hand wrapped around mine. It was warm and steady like he was trying to keep me from falling apart.
“I heard she's awake,” a familiar voice approached us.
I looked to confirm and there he was. My ex, David Barton.
“Where in heaven's name am I?”
“Hi, Lena. I brought you lunch. I was so happy when I heard you were awake. I hope you can eat,” he said with a smile as he placed the food on the table next to my bed.
I couldn't take my eyes off him. He still had the purest and most genuine smile I had ever seen. I didn't expect to see him again, especially since he and his family relocated right after college
“Lena, meet David, my best friend and business partner. I'm sure you two have already met,” Asher said, forcing me to take my eyes off David.
“Yes, we have,” David said.
For the first time in a while, I felt pure, unfiltered joy.
“David…” my voice came out in a whisper. I hadn’t said his name in years, yet it still felt natural on my tongue.
His smile softened. “It’s been a long time, Lena.”
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I breathed, searching his face for any sign that I was dreaming.
His chuckle was light and easy. “I could say the same about you. When I pulled you out of the pool, I was scared that you might not make it.”
“Y-You saved me?”
He nodded, his gaze was warm and unreadable.
Of course, it was him. It had always been him. David had looked out for me even when I didn’t realize it.
“I'm just glad I got to you in time,” he said with a brief smile. He was always modest.
Asher leaned back, watching us with a small smile. “I take it you two have a lot to catch up on.”
David nodded. “That we do.”
He turned his attention back to me. “But first, you should eat. You look like you haven’t had a proper meal in days.”
I let out a breathy laugh, shaking my head. “You haven’t changed.”
---
“Has her body been found yet? Tell me you have news!” My mom, Mrs. Rashford yelled frantically as she paced back and forth in the living room.
“I'm sorry ma'am, but there has been no trace of her yet,” the voice at the other end of the phone said.
“Shit!” She yelled as she threw her phone across the room.
Serena just sat by a corner, filing her nails. She seemed very amused.
“Tell me something, mom. Are you worried about Lena’s safety or your image? Because from what I remember, you were rather reluctant to pull her out from the pool,” Serena said as she tried to stifle a laugh.
“You don’t get it, Serena. If she falls into the wrong hands, we’re done for. How do I explain that? You know how pitiful Lena can act. It’s already been a week!” Mrs. Rashford kept panicking.
“It’ll be there on the news; One of the Rashford daughters, Blind and left for dead in her family’s pool…” Serena trailed off, smirking. “how does that sound?”
“Please, relax, mom. We’ve always wanted her out of our lives. This is our opportunity. There’s less drama now. We can fully focus on my wedding,” Serena said.
Even though she was the cause of the problem, she didn’t seem remorseful at all.
“What if we just pronounce her dead? Arrange a funeral for her? After all, a few people witnessed her body float in the pool. We can do that and move on with our lives,” Serena added.
Mrs. Rashford’s frantic pacing slowed. She exhaled sharply and folded her arms, considering it.
“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I’ll have someone think of a cover-up story. The last thing I want is unnecessary drama, not when your dad is expanding his empire,” Mrs. Rashford said with a satisfactory smile.
“We need to do it quickly before my wedding. I don’t want any scandals, because of the scene she caused during our engagement, everyone thinks I stole her man. Meanwhile, she’s the thief here,” Serena hissed.
“You’re right. I’ll make the arrangements right away,” Mrs. Rashford said.
“And before I forget,” she added, inspecting her freshly manicured nails, “Zack made me Co-CEO of his company. I mean, what can I say? He knows I’m the perfect choice.”
That was all my mom needed to distract herself. Her face lit up instantly.
“How did it happen? Zack is such an angel!”
Serena’s lips curled. “I got pregnant. Something Lena couldn’t do.”
She tilted her head with a smug smile. “We’re expecting our baby.”
