Chapter 5

Just as Paul was about to lower his head and plant his lips onto Eliana’s once again, the door suddenly swung open to reveal a tall and broad figure standing there. Paul instinctively pried himself off Eliana and turned around to face whoever had just walked in angrily: “Who the hell do you think you...A-Aidan? What are you doing here?” Aidan was also clad in a hospital gown - his eyes shifted between Paul and Eliana, his face contorting with fury as seconds ticked by. Paul immediately jumped out of bed and stammered: “A-Aidan, it’s not what it looks like! This skank was the one who’d asked me to come here...she wanted me to do it with her...I didn’t want to since she’s unwell, but she insisted...and took off her clothes to seduce and entice me...and so, I couldn’t hold myself back…” Eliana opened her mouth to protest Paul’s words - just before she could do so, Laura appeared from behind Aidan. She gaped at Eliana, a shocked expression etched on her face. “Oh my God, Ellie, what do you think that you’re doing? How could you betray Aidan even at a time like this…” Aidan did not say anything - noticing this, Laura stepped forward and commented sadly: “Ellie, even though Aidan isn’t saying anything, I know that he’s constantly worrying over and looking out for you...how could you return his care and concern for you by doing this to him? It’s so cruel and despicable of you to get together with his cousin just to get back at him…” “Shut up, Laura.” Eliana snapped back, “Don’t you dare twist the narrative and make me seem like the bad guy again. It was Paul who’d wanted to force himself on me…” Before she could finish her sentence, Paul lunged forward and wagged his finger at Eliana accusingly: “Eliana, you’re too much! How dare you lie when you clearly the one who’d initiated this - I refused your request because you are injured. Alas, you begged to do it with me - you said that you couldn’t stand seeing Aidan and Laura together, that you wanted to get back at Aidan by doing it with me. Aidan, you must believe me - I would never have tried anything with me had she not been the one to seduce and entice me first.” “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t have felt anything at all. She’s not worth feeling anything for.” Aidan replied in an icy voice. Eliana’s heart sank at Aidan’s harsh and brutal words. Even though the pain throbbing throughout her body had yet to subside, it somehow didn’t seem to hurt as much as Aidan’s words did. Laura gasped, turning to grab Aidan’s wrist, tears pooling in her eyes as she did so. “Aidan! How could you say something like that - please, don’t blame Ellie! Blame me instead - I’m the one who should be blamed! Ellie wouldn’t be so mad that she wanted to resort to getting together with your cousin to get back at you had it not been for me - it’s all my fault, Aidan. Please, don’t blame her.” Ellie snorted - she has finally had enough of Laura’s nonsense. She growled, “Shut up, Laura, stop being such a liar and a hypocrite - you’d better get out of here this instant.” Aidan put an arm around Laura protectively and glared at Eliana menacingly. “Nobody can beat you when it comes to being a hypocrite - don’t you find it atrocious how you can say one thing but do something else completely different? You lying and hypocritical whore.” Eliana closed her eyes in agony - I can’t believe my ears. This is absolutely nuts - I’d worked so hard to cultivate our relationship, but for what? Look at what I get in return. The irony here is ridiculous. Laura shook her head and pleaded with Aidan, “No, that’s not true, Aidan - I grew up with Ellie, I know her well. She’s not that kind of person - I’m sure that there must’ve been some sort of misunderstanding between you and her.” Just then, Laura detached herself from Aidan’s side and walked over to Eliana’s bedside. “Ellie, I know you always say that you feel completely wronged and misunderstood - but do you know what? Aidan’s mom is showing signs of waking up - if she comes to and is able, to tell the truth about the accident, everything will be cleared up. I’m certain that you and Aidan would make up by then. I won’t fight you for him when that time comes - I just want the two of you to be well and happy.” What? Aidan’s mom, my mother-in-law, is showing signs of waking up? “Wow, Laura - you are so considerate and virtuous. Can’t you learn from her and be more like her, Eliana? For God’s sake, you’re both women - how is it that one of you is so benevolent and caring, while the other is wicked and vicious...Aidan, why can’t you just…” Before Paul could complete his sentence, Aidan shot the former a warning look. Paul gulped and immediately corrected himself: “I-I’m just saying, you know.” Even though he had a grudge against Eliana, Aidan resented having anything to do with Paul. “Get the fuck out of here,” Aidan growled at his cousin. Intimidated by his cousin’s intense and cold gaze, Paul swallowed nervously - he quickly picked up his clothes where he’d thrown them, put them on and scurried out of the room. Just my luck! I was so close… “Aidan, is it alright if I talk to Ellie alone?” Laura asked sweetly, “I want to try and talk some sense into her.” “That won’t be necessary - like I’d said earlier, she has nothing to do with us from now on.” Aidan shot Eliana one last glare before hooking his arm around Laura and walking them out. Eliana clenched her fists weakly as she watched them leave together. Mother - I won’t let your death be in vain. I’ll be sure to avenge you. Eliana did not see Aidan for the next few days. Laura, on the other hand, would come by, now and then just to taunt and provoke her she was doing this at this very moment. Alas, her foul and piercing words no longer bothered Eliana, for the latter could not care less about Aidan anymore. Even though Laura realized this, she was still not contented and reluctant to leave Eliana alone. She wanted Eliana to continue to suffer and be tormented - she wanted her to go through hell and back as many times as she could make her. “Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that I received a phone call earlier - mom has woken up.” Eliana’s eyes fluttered open at this. Laura smirked - “Ah, finally a reaction from you. Wow, it seems like things are turning around, huh - mom waking up is a good thing for you. But what if I told you...that it might not be a good thing after all?” Eliana narrowed her eyes at Laura, “What the hell do you want to do?” “Do you hink I’ll let any good come to you? Not under my watch.” Just then, Laura checked her watch and continued, “Alright, Aidan is coming over - I don’t have time to continue talking nonsense with you. See you later, you pathetic bitch.” Laura smirked evilly before turning around to exit the ward. No, Eliana thought, I can’t let anything bad happen to my mother-in-law...