Isla scoffed in response.
“Really?
You expect me to believe that?
Caspian has never had any episode before.
Why now?”
“I wouldn’t lie about something like this.
I know we are the last people you’d want to have anything to do with but don’t forget that we are still family.”
“We are not family.
I have made that clear enough already.
You are not my family.
I find it hard to believe, what triggered it?”
“Things aren’t going so well for us as a family, child.
Please, don’t desert us now.
He keeps calling your name.
He feels guilty for how he has treated you and would like to have one last chance to tell you how sorry he is.”
Isla leaned back on the chair.
“Why now?
Why couldn’t he be the father that I always wanted.
Why does he want to apologise now?”
“He is dying.” Melinda said forcefully, another loud sob broke from her lips.
“We thought it wasn’t anything major but the doctor said that it was really bad and he might not make it past a few days.”
“I see.”
“I’m not forcing you to come but I hope that you can forgive yourself if you hear that he’s dead.
We are at the family hospital.”
Isla ended the call immediately and dropped the phone.
“She’s lying!
I can feel it.
Caspian suddenly got a stroke.
Pffftttt.” Serena rolled her eyes at the back of her head.
“I know, but what if she is telling the truth?
I just don’t know.” Isla checked the time and it was almost time for dinner.
There was a knock on the door and she turned towards it.
“Come in.”
A maid walked in with her head bowed.
“Dinner is ready, Ma’am.”
Isla smiled and cleared her throat, making the maid raise her head.
“I’ve told you to keep your head up and address me.”
The maid gave her a little smile.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Good, I’ll be right there.”
The maid nodded and walked out.
Isla quickly dressed up properly and went downstairs to the dining table.
“You shouldn’t allow the lies of your family to get to you, Isla.” Serena murmured once more before going silent.
“What’s wrong?” Logan asked pointedly, digging into his food.
Isla hadn’t touched her meal and she seemed worried about something.
She didn’t even hear him speak and that made Logan study her even more, dropping his cutlery.
“Isla!” He said more firmly and she whipped her head towards him in surprise.
“Did you say something?” She asked, confused.
He leaned against his chair and folded his arms.
The maids quickly left the place to give them some privacy.
“Your thoughts seem distant.
What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She answered a bit too fast and started eating, keeping her gaze away from Logan.
“Something is definitely disturbing you.”
“No, just drop it.” She said defensively.
She knew that if he knew about the phone call he would call it a bluff.
He heaved a sigh but didn’t say anything else.
They soon finished eating and she stood up to go back to her room, as she walked past him, Logan held her arm gently.
“You might not trust me just yet but please if something is wrong, tell me.”
“I said, I’m fine.” She said through gritted teeth and ripped her hands off him.
Once she was inside she closed the door behind her.
“Why were you behaving like that?” Serena asked, appalled at her behaviour.
“I’m going to see them tomorrow, I don’t want to have to live my life with any guilt.”
Serena sighed.
“Anything that makes you happy.”
***
Isla took a cab to St.
Cara’s Health Care Centre, their family clinic.
She walked inside at arrival and it reminded her of so many memories.
Something didn’t just feel right.
She couldn’t lay her hands on it.
It was probably because she was used to how deceptive the Spencers were.
Also, no one else has mentioned anything about Caspian being in a bad condition.
She soon arrived at the reception and the receptionist gave her a little smile.
“How can I help you, Ma’am?”
“I’m here to see Mr.
Caspian Spencer.” Isla asked with kind eyes.
“I haven’t heard of that name but let me check the register.”
The receptionist scrolled through the names on the screen but didn’t find anything.
“There is no one here like that, Ma’am.
Maybe there’s a mistake somewhere.”
Were they transferred?
Or were they never even here.
“Isla.” Melinda called out from the end of the hallway.
Isla’s head whipped in her direction.
She cautiously walked to her.
“You came, my dear.” Melinda tried hugging Isla but she just stepped aside.
“Where is he?” She asked with a sharp tone.
Melinda just heaved a sigh and turned towards her left.
“He is on the next floor.” Her response was so quick.
It was like she has rehearsed what to say.
“I don’t have a good feeling about this.” Serena mentioned with a worried voice.
“We are here already, let’s just be done with it.” Isla responded as she followed her.
Deep inside though Isla was suspicious, why were they not on the patient’s register?
They kept taking turns and soon the hallways got so empty.
There were no nurses or doctors lurking around.
Isla felt really uneasy.
“Aren’t we there yet?
Why is his room so far?”
“We got him a private ward for himself.
You know we still have a reputation to uphold.”
Soon Melinda stopped right by a door.
“We are here.” She opened it and urged Isla to step inside.
Isla hesitated but still entered while Melinda followed after.
Isla peers around the room and her heart stilled.
There was no bed, no medical supplies and the place seemed empty.
A clicking sound pulled her attention to the door.
Isla turned to face Melinda and she saw a malicious smile on her face and her step mother placed the keys in her clothes.
“We need to talk.”
Isla’s heart sunk.
She had fallen for a stupid trap.
Something told her that this could escalate quickly.