****Two days later*****
My lashes fluttered slightly as I tried to adjust to the brightness of the room. Everything slowly came into focus. "Ugh… not again. I hate hospitals," I muttered under my breath.
Then, just like that everything hit me. Mark and I were supposed to go on a dinner date. I fainted. That's all I remembered.
How long was I gone? My legs felt numb. I couldn't even wiggle my toes. I looked around the room and it was breathtaking.
It looked nothing like an ordinary hospital ward. The ceiling had gold trimming, and the walls were painted a soft pearl white. Elegant curtains framed the tall windows, and fresh orchids were placed in a vase by the side table. This room screamed money. Whoever was paying for this had no budget limit.
My eyes were still wandering when the door swung open. Mark walked in, dressed in a crisp black shirt and slacks, holding a bouquet of yellow tulips my favorite.He didn't notice I was awake.
He walked toward my bed, gently placing the flowers into the vase by my bedside. His eyes scanned the room like he was searching for something and then… they landed on me. And I smiled. His entire expression changed.
"I didn't notice it when I walked in," he whispered, stunned. "You're awake… and watching me with those bright blue eyes."
There was something about the joy in his voice that melted my heart.
"Aurora, are you okay? Do you feel pain? Should I call the doctor?" he asked in a rush.
"Mark," I giggled softly. "Relax, I'm fine. Just hungry." He chuckled and pulled a tray of breakfast over. "Let me feed you then, my little patient."
As he carefully brought the spoon to my lips, I asked, "How many days was I out?" "Careful don't choke." He paused. "In total… you were unconscious for a week."
"A week?!" I gasped, nearly spilling my juice. "That explains why I can't feel my legs."
"Yeah… about that," he said slowly. "A therapist will be here later today to help with recovery. You'll be walking again in no time."
I nodded. "Where's Angel and the rest? I haven't seen them since I woke up."
Mark's eyes widened slightly. "Oh shit… I forgot to inform them. Even your parents too."
"…My parents?" "Yeah, your parents."
My brows furrowed. "Why would they want to see me? They never cared so why now?"
Mark blinked, realizing the confusion. She thinks I'm talking about Charles and Rose, he thought.
"Aurora, there's something you need to know," he said gently, "but I don't think I'm the right person to tell you." And with that, he stepped out of the room.
My heart started racing. What was going on?
A few seconds later, the door opened again.
And in walked Sir William and Ma'am Kim.
I sat up a little, confused. "Sir William? Ma'am Kim? What are you two doing here? And where did Mark run off to?"
I smiled awkwardly, trying to suppress the unease rising inside me. They just stood there silently, their expressions unreadable.
Suddenly, the room went dark. A projector on the wall lit up, playing a video. I looked around, startled. It was… a baby shower.
Ma'am Kim was glowing, her baby bump on full display, surrounded by flowers and balloons. William was kissing her cheek, showering her with gifts, clearly over the moon about the baby on the way. Their happiness radiated through the screen. Then the video changed.
A newborn baby was shown being placed in Ma'am Kim's arms. The tenderness in her eyes, the overwhelming love in William's it was beautiful. Pure. But I still didn't understand… until the camera zoomed in on the baby's face. My heart stopped. My lungs tightened.
My brain screamed at me, but no thoughts would come. It was as if the air had been sucked out of the room. That baby… was me.
The lights turned back on. Ma'am Kim stood in front of me, her eyes glistening with tears.
"T-That baby in the video… is me?" I whispered. She nodded, her voice trembling. "Yes, my child." The room spun. "No. No, this can't be… I have baby pictures at home. My parents… Charles and Rose… are you telling me they kidnapped me?! Why would they do that?!"
"Sweetheart," Kim said, tears streaming down her face, "we would never give you up. You were kidnapped the same day you were born." William stepped forward. "We searched for you for years. We never stopped. You were stolen from the hospital before we even got the chance to hold you properly." I couldn't take it.
The room, the voices, the truth everything crashed into me like a wave. My chest tightened, my vision blurred. And then… everything went black.
"Aurora! Aurora what happened to her?!" Kim cried out in panic. William rushed to her side. "She's just overwhelmed the shock, the emotions. She needs rest." "Nurse!" he called out urgently. "Please inject sedatives into her IV. She needs to sleep."
As the nurse quickly obeyed, William stroked Aurora's hair gently, whispering, "You're safe now, my princess. You're finally home."