Annika's sobs rang throughout the four corners of Harriett's now private hospital room. Both her and Haze rushed towards here the moment I called them. I stared at Haze and realized that he was still crying.
Turns out, he didn't know anything about Harriett's psychological problem. He had just assumed that his sister wanted to live alone, free from their parents. So when I told them that Harriett had tried to drown herself, he broke down.
Harriett had gone back to sleep after seeing Annika and Haze briefly. She still couldn't utter a word because she had been unconscious for days but the doctors said that there's nothing wrong with her anymore.
The nurse's earlier doubt of me also cleared up when Haze walked in. Because it was obvious as daylight how the two of them are siblings. Haze was the male counterpart of Harriett including the looks so it's not that hard to distinguish the both of them.
"I can't believe she was handling everything all alone"
"You're not at fault"
I comfortingly told Haze to which he just shook his head.
"I was so focused on my life that I didn't even ask her how she was. I assumed she was living happily since she's finally out of Mom's reach"
I honestly can't blame Haze. I wasn't there when Harriett and her mom had cut off ties but I knew just how much pressure Harriett was under her mom's watchful gaze. She was constantly shackled without any real taste of freedom. She either lied or made up stories just for her to be able to have some breather before.
"It's not like I can tell her to go back home now. Being out of Mom's reach will still probably be preferable for her"
"I can go stay with her"
Annika stated in between sobs but I cut her in.
"No need. I'll watch over her"
I simply stated and they both stared at me unbelievingly. I know why they would react like that but all I said was.
"I won't let her go anymore. Even if she pushes me away, I won't let go again"
I said as I took Harriett's hand in mine and enclosed it. I stared at her and realized just how thinner she had gotten after just a few days of being unconscious. Her lips were chaffed too as if indication that she had been dehydrated. The bags under her eyes are a lot darker than they usually are. She looked as if she had gone back from hell.
But maybe she did, considering what she had just done.
"Mr. Alad"
Maddie's voice rang through the door accompanied by her light knock as she opened the door to Harriett's room.
"Sorry to interrupt, it's regarding the local you wanted me to find. She's in the lobby waiting"
"Local?"
Haze looked at me questioningly as I nodded to Maddie.
"The one who saved Harriett. I asked Maddie to find her so I can properly thank them"
"Should we go with you?"
"No. It's fine. Stay with Harriett, I'll be back"
I said as I got up from my seat, placed a kiss atop Harriett's head and walked out of the room.
"Luckily it was easy to find her as she was someone known to the locals"
"Thank you"
I mutter to Maddie as I follow her to the lobby. I could feel every muscle in my body aching as I took another step. With all the adrenaline and relief of seeing Harriett alive consuming me, I could finally feel just what I had put myself in. I'm tired as hell and I could feel myself needing so much sleep but I need to tie these loose ends.
And once Harriett gets the green light from the doctors, we'll go home together. I'm not letting her out of my sight ever again.
"There. That's the one"
Maddie pointed and I thanked her once again as I started walking towards the woman she had pointed. The woman had long black hair with a chubbier body type. She was shorter than both Harriett and I.
"Hi, I heard you're the one who saved my…"
I bit my tongue. My what exactly? That was still the question that I had no answer to. I let out another sigh.
"My friend. I'm Pierce. I'd like to thank you"
I forced a smile and as tired as I was, did my best to offer a heartfelt gratitude for Harriett's saviour. But as she turned around, I began cursing the only God I know.
"Long time no see Pierce"
Because the woman standing right in front of me was my nightmare. The very existence that kept me awake at night.
"Anna"
"Can you imagine my surprise when I realized that it was Qian who had drowned? It was seriously a shock"
She said as she placed down her cup of coffee at the standing table right in front of her. She was smiling at me but all I could do was stand far away from her. Far away from the real monster in our lives.
I let out another sigh as I gathered enough courage to finally ask her.
"Why are you here?"
Last I checked she moved out of our town right after what she had done to Harriett and I. We never really wanted to keep our communication with her so we didn't really know anything about her anymore.
"This is where I moved. Figured the beaches was the perfect place for me."
She stared at me and as if noticing our distance she faced me seriously.
"I want to say sorry"
That had caught me off guard.
"I know what I did was irrevocable and I scarred both you and Qian. That's why I never wanted to show myself in front of the two of you ever again. Saving Qian was just pure coincidence."
But the thing is, I don't believe in coincidences. This was a work of fate. How it was playing and toying everybody. If she hadn't been there, Harriett would've died.
Harriett.
My eyes widened at a sudden thought. Did Harriett know that Anna was living here? She picked this town for a reason. She had painted it for a reason. What was it?
"That's all I'm gonna say Pierce. I'm not gonna ask how you're doing or if Qian's alright. I just wanted to really tell you sorry. Plus I got married years ago and is now living with my husband and daughters here so I want to make amends"
At that she had nodded to the person behind me and I swear, fate's definition of games wasn't funny anymore.
"This is my husband Pierce, his name's Josiah. Hon this is Pierce"
For once I wanted to let the anger inside get the best of me. And it seems like I did because the next thing I knew my fist was meeting Josiah's smiling face.