"Like I've said, I’m getting tired of this. I can’t keep doing this. Sitting in this hospital bed all day. It’s exhausting. I need to leave. I’m done."
Sylvester leaned forward. "Vanessa, I know it’s hard, but you have to have patience. We are so close to pulling this off. Anabel believed everything today. We just need to keep up the act for a little longer." Sylvester said, and Vanessa rolled her eyes and set the spoon down with a clatter. "I’ve been lying here for days, Sylvester. I’m stuck in this bed. My body is seriously paining me. I can’t move freely, and every time someone comes in, I have to act like I’m about to die. Do you know how mentally and physically draining that is? I’m getting exhausted. I want to get out of here." She said, and Sylvester sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I get it, Vanessa. I do. But we can’t afford to mess this up now. If Anabel even gets a hint that something isn’t right, it’s all over for us. You just need to hold on a little longer." Sylvester said, and Vanessa crossed her arms over her chest, frowning in protest.
"You are not the one stuck in this bed, pretending to be in pain and barely able to talk. You don’t know what this feels like. I can’t take it anymore."
This time, Sylvester stood and moved closer to her, then held her hand. "I know it’s hard, Vanessa. But think about what’s at stake. If this works, we will be set. All this frustration, all this waiting. It will be worth it. You just have to trust me and stay patient." He said, and Vanessa looked away, tightening her jaw. She knew Sylvester had a point, but the claustrophobia of the hospital room, the constant charade, and the mounting anxiety were taking their toll on her.
She sighed and picked up her spoon again, then finished the rest of her food in silence.
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"In the evening time"
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.
Anabel was standing at the counter of a popular restaurant known for its freshly made fruit salads. The smell of ripe fruits and freshly baked pastries filled the air as customers bustled about, chatting and placing their orders. She tapped her fingers lightly on the counter as she waited for her order to be prepared.
She had promised to bring Vanessa something refreshing during her visit to the hospital, and the fruit salad from this place was exactly what she had in mind.
As she glanced at the menu board above, she heard the unmistakable sound of heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor. She didn’t think much of it until a familiar voice, which was laced with mock arrogance, sliced through the restaurant’s atmosphere.
"Well, well, look who we have here." Anabel heard the voice say. She didn't have to think twice before recognizing who that was. She turned her head only to lock eyes with Daniella. She was standing just a few feet away with a sly smirk plastered on her face.
Anabel straightened her posture as Daniella approached.
"Daniella. It's been a while. What a surprise." Anabel said.
"Surprise?" Daniella laughed. "Oh, no, darling. This isn’t a surprise. I think this is fate, bringing us together like this." Daniella added, and Anabel raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "If it is, fate has terrible timing. I don't even have time for you."
"Don’t worry." Daniella said, waving her hand dismissively. "I won’t take much of your time. And I'm not here to cause trouble either. I just thought you might like to hear some news about your ex-husband, Desmond. The news is very important to you."
"Important? Do I look like someone who cares about Desmond?" Anabel asked. "He's my past, so I have nothing to do with him anymore. Keep anything about him to yourself. I heard you guys have wedded, so save the news to yourself. I know it's what you want to tell me."
"That's not what I was about to say. Like I said, this is a news you had been waiting to hear."
"So, what is the so-called important news about?" Anabel asked
"I'm divorcing Desmond." Daniella said, and Anabel blinked with an unreadable facial expression. "And why, exactly, do you think I will be interested in that? What is my business with that?" Anabel asked.
"Oh, don’t be coy." Daniella said with a smirk. "I thought you would like to know. After all, it means you are free to go back to him. I know you were waiting for your chance to go back to him, and now the door is wide open. I've done what I wanted to do with him. So you are free to go back to him."