Chapter 320
Veronica’s POV
Pearl River Hospital
I didn’t know what was going on, but I felt warm safe.
The next moment, I could hear talking sounds in the distance and the smell of disinfectant hit my nose the moment I inhaled.
“What?? Where??” I mumbled as I knew they never used any disinfectant or anything as such.
“Relax,” I could hear Jonathan’s soft voice. “You’re safe p>
“Jonathan??” I called out as I blinked my eyes to clear my vision.
“Yes, I’m here p>
I hugged him the moment I realized he was for real and not a dream.
“I can’t tell you how many times I dreamed you came, but the moment I reached out p>
“I’m sorry, Nicky, I failed to protect you p>
“I’m really sorry p>
“It’s not your fault, that’s why Ann was with me p>
“But those men, I don’t think even if Kris and Drew were in her place, they would have managed if they were single that day p>
“I think Smith is the only one who could have dealt with them that day p>
Jonathan exhaled.
“Okay, the doctor said we can go home p>
“Home?” That sounded so sweet yet a few days back it felt like I would never be able to go back.
Along the way I felt like I had totally forgotten where home was.
“Jonathan,” I said looking out of the window.
“I don’t recall this route p>
“We’re not going home…yet p>
I didn’t question as I knew if Jonathan was taking me elsewhere, he must have a reason.
Apartment
As we reached an apartment, the boys were waiting for us.
But on seeing them, I suddenly felt disoriented. Maybe it was cause of exhaustion or the fact that I was still struggling in believing I was really free from that metal room.
I thought going home would stir memories, but I couldn’t recall the place.
Nonetheless, safety almost felt impossible to believe.
As we entered, I saw Ann was looking anxious.
Ann practically ran over and hugged me with tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry…I’m sorry, I couldn’t protect you p>
“I don’t deserve to be your protector p>
I softly held her by her shoulders.
“Ann, you did what you could p>
“I was just telling Jonathan, I think only if Smith was with me that day, maybe this wouldn’t have happened p>
“Those men were carefully chosen p>
Even though I was still in pain, I could tell from seeing her, she didn’t have it any easier.
“That woman…she came back as you, and is doing all she can to keep me away from Jonathan from telling him where you are,” Ann said as I sat on the bed.
“She’s determined to take your place p>
The whole while I was listening in disbelief.
To realize someone took over your house…family, by using your own face?
I felt violated and heartbroken at the same time.
“But who p>
“Imelda,” Jonathan said, stopping me.
“That woman is Imelda p>
Jonathan explained as I watched in shock.
“She had a face surgery to look like you, she’s been home as you for almost seven months now p>
“Daniel suggested we do DNA, that cleared the matter p>
All the while I thought Imelda wanted revenge from me because she thinks I stole her life from her.
But this time she not only tried to steal my husband, my kids, my home, my life, but my face as well?
“The kids p>
“She’s been distant with them claiming she has partial amnesia, and has changed some things, like cooking for one p>
“Now we have a maid who cooks p>
“Her one mistake was favoring Adrian over Joshua p>
The thought of another woman posing as me was sickening in itself, but Imelda of all women?
Tears rolled down my cheeks as memories of my kids flooded back to me.
“So I trailed off a bit as the question was not easy for me.
“When did you I trailed off again.
“Notice her?” Jonathan took the lead.
“To be honest p>
“The moment I entered the hospital room p>
“I didn’t feel the same as I did when I saw you after your accident p>
“But, her partial amnesia, it made things hard for us to confront her, and she had your face, that was the biggest glitch we had to face p>
“You were no where, and she was p>
“At that point, I would have seemed to be mental for not accepting she is you p>
“Then her habits, totally different from you, and the biggest giveaway p>
“The scars p>
“From the stab and Joshua p>
I instinctively placed a hand on my stomach where I had the c section.
I didn’t express it, but I felt touched that he actually trusted his instincts instead of believing the face.
I never realized how much his faith was in me.
“Ann,” I asked, realizing I didn’t ask how she was.
“They didn’t hurt you? Did they?” I asked anxiously.
Ann became quiet as Jonathan took hold of my hand.
“She was given electric shocks so she wouldn’t escape p>
Ann lowered her eyes, as if she was feeling ashamed for not being able to escape and save me sooner.
I held my other hand out as she grabbed and came closer.
I was shaken by the knowledge that she suffered so she couldn’t tell where I was.
“Ann, there’s no way I could ever blame you for what happened p>
“I was there and I know you did all you could p>
“She would speak every day in the speaker and tell, if I tried to escape and tell anyone that she would make you disappear forever p>
“I could have resisted the men who were at the container area p>
“But I was afraid if I resisted, they may hurt you p>
I realized she allowed them to harm her so they wouldn’t hurt me.
I was shocked to realize Imelda used fear to control Ann.
“The kids have also been confused by her behavior p>
“Janet has told me a couple of times, she thinks you’re not her, so I told her to be careful and never leave Joshua alone with her p>
“As for Joshua, he’s too young to actually realize, but still he has told me, ’Mommy has changed, she doesn’t love me anymore p>
My heart ached on realizing how much the kids are suffering as they are unable to understand what’s happened to their mother.
“Jonathan, can I see them?” I held onto his arm.
I was waiting for his reply, instead he smiled.
“Jonathan?” I said frowning at his smile.
Just then I heard the door open and the next moment Janet came running in as Joshua followed behind holding Drew’s hand. He followed his sister, the moment he saw me sitting on the bed.
“MOMMY! Both said in unison.
The kids began to cry as I tried comforting them.
Seeing I wasn’t able to, I looked over my shoulder, “Jonathan p>
’Kids, relax p>
“I promise Mommy will never be taken away from you both ever again p>
“Dad,” Janet said. “We know,” Janet said.
“I also know, you suspected her from the beginning p>
“That’s why you moved to the guest room since she came back p>
I realized, I never knew how much he really loved me.
“Mommy, if you’re Mommy, then the Mommy at home?” Joshua asked.
“Joshua, I don’t know how to tell you this I looked at the others.
“Joshua,” Kris said.
“You remember the clown show at the school p>
Joshua nodded.
“Rememeber the clown was our principal p>
He nodded again.
“Just like that, that woman at home is wearing your mother’s face as a mask p>
“Really?” Joshua said, frowning.
“I liked the clown, but not Mommy one p>
“She’s really bad,” he said.
“She said I eat like a spoiled child, she even slapped Adrian the other day cause I was still eating the way I did p>
“What?” I said, shocked.
“She told Adrian to teach me manners p>
“Adrian told me to play along, but that day I didn’t know she was home p>
I held the kids tightly as I realized she not only owes me and my family, but she owes Adrian as well.
“So?” I asked.
“She’s still at home as me p>
Jonathan nodded.