Chapter 220 Awake
Mariana woke up the next day feeling groggy and itchy all over her body.
She instinctively tried to move and felt a painful tug on her arm.
Her groans woke the nurse hired for her, Jennifer, and Henry. They quickly scrambled to her bedside.
Mariana looked around to see where she was.
As she scanned her surroundings and looked at herself, the events of the night before came to her.
“Fuck!” She cursed involuntarily.
Henry laughed out loud at that.
“Good morning to you too!” Henry said sarcastically.
“It’s good to see that you are fine,” Jennifer’s voice was sincere. She was clearly perturbed.
“I am going to kill that bitch. She ruined Lil’s birthday party. Do you know Lil had not celebrated her birthday like that since her mother passed away? How dare she cause trouble at Lil’s birthday party? Not only did she come uninvited, but she also ruined her party and made her worry. We must have our revenge.”
Mariana was so agitated thinking of Alice that she continued rambling until she pulled on her IV line.
Only then did she stop talking.
When Jonathan and Liliana came to the hospital in the morning, they saw James slumped by the door of her ward.
It was clear that he had not slept a wink the entire night.
Liliana was angry at him, but her harsh words died in her throat when she saw his red and swollen eyes. She told him to wait in the lounge and not show up in front of Mariana or her parents.
James nodded at her and whispered a choked ‘thank you’ in gratitude.
When they entered the ward, they heard Mariana rambling about her ruined birthday party.
Jonathan smiled at that. He was very clear about how much the girls meant to each other.
Liliana, however, shook her head in helplessness.
James felt even more guilty if that was possible.
They went inside to see Jennifer helping her drink some water.
Liliana knocked on top of Mariana’s head.
“Hey!” Mariana cried.
“How about we address the fact that you are hurt and in need of hospitalization for a few weeks?” Liliana asked sarcastically.
“A few weeks? Are you kidding? I will die of boredom.” Mariana exclaimed.
James had been listening to them from the outside. He felt relief wash over him hearing her words. Knowing that Mariana was still herself was like a silver lining to everything else in his life.
He breathed a sigh, too chocked for words.
Liliana asked everyone to leave so she could talk to Mariana alone.
Mariana slumped back on the bed and groaned as the cuts hurt.
Liliana sat by her side and did not speak. She gave her time to process everything.
Mariana asked, “Tell me what happened after I was pushed by that bitch!”
Liliana explained the events of the previous night as Mariana listened almost emotionlessly. Liliana did not leave anything out.
The Mariana she knew was strong enough to handle everything that happened. She would not appreciate the kid-glove treatment.
Mariana heavily sighed after she finished saying everything.
“What on earth am I supposed to tell my parents and Liam’s grandmother about our relationship? What a mess?”
Mariana lamented.
“Do you not mind James’s behavior?” Liliana asked curiously.
“Why should I? His behavior is as I expected. We were not dating. That Alice woman is his girlfriend, first love, whatever. Why should he abandon his priority for me?” Mariana said.
She did not notice the slight hint of jealousy in her tone as she said it.
Liliana was speechless.
“Did you know you were pregnant?” She asked.
“No! We did it a few times, but we always used protection. Besides, I probably would have aborted, anyway. I am neither married to him nor do we have any relationship. We do not have feelings for each other, and this farce was to end one way or the other.”Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
Mariana explained, looking at Liliana quizically.
Liliana looked at her best friend and did not know what to say.
She considered for a moment and explained.
“James has feelings for you. I am not sure when or how it began. But he has had some feelings for you ever since you got an allergic reaction.”
Mariana looked at her wide-eyed.
“You are kidding, right? It’s not funny.” She finally mumbled.
“I will let him in when no one’s around. You guys need to talk. I mean, seriously.” Liliana said.
Mariana groaned. She had thought their fake relationship had ended.
“Mer, hear him out properly, will you? The two of you need to talk in a non-confrontational environment. Your differences are not helping either of you. As much as I hate him right now because he did not speak up yesterday, I can not deny that whatever is going between you should be resolved. For your peace of mind, talk to him.”
She explained.
Mariana nodded, “Alright!”