The SUBSTITUTE WIFE RETURNS

I sat in the chair in the doctor office trying not to think too hard. I was a little shaky in the hands, and I managed to sit still.

The white walls, the slight odor of antiseptic, and the quiet ticking of the clock did not help to soothe the pit in my stomach. Dr.

Morrison, the expert who had treated me long, cleared his throat and started talking. "I am afraid your condition is more serious, Ariana," he said, with a soft and serious voice. "Your eyes and ears are becoming weaker than ever, the bleeding seems to be more serious these days.

Unless you take your medicine as prescribed, you may lose them altogether in a few months." I swallowed hard. I had heard these words very many times, but each time it was like a hammer at my chest. I nodded silently.

Arguing was impossible, I was aware of the truth. I'd be blind and deaf in a few months time. "And the funding?" I asked quietly. I had a shiver in my voice, and I managed to get it out. "The NGO, the one that aids me in my treatment. I'm 18 now.

Will they continue?" Dr. Morrison shook his head slowly. "No, Ariana. They will just assist patients who are below eighteen years. I think you will need to get other means of financing your medicine now.

And you need to act fast." I pressed my lips together. My mind spun. This was not a surprise to me, but it felt like I was struck by a punch. How would I manage now?

My father had long ago indicated that he was not going to give me another dime or spend another nickel on me.

He said I had made enough trouble already, my mother had died giving birth to me, I was sick as a child and now doctors told me I was not going to make twentyone. Why bother?

I arose sluggishly, and after hearing more words from the doctor telling me ti take care of myself, I left the office. Each step was hard, as though I were walking in mud. The sky was clear outside and the sun's heat touched on my pale face.

I squinted a little , knowing how fast I was growing to being a blind and deaf girl. The car ride home was quiet. I did not even look at the city or the cars that passed. I couldn't. My mind was too full of worry.

I heard the sound of music before I reached the Hale mansion. People were everywhere, maids dashing about, florists carrying flower arrangements, caterers carrying trays of food.

It was a merry and talking house, a sharp contrast to what life had in store for me, a dark and soundless life.

One of the maids, a young girl I had been brought up with, had seen me, and called after me, in a low voice, "Miss Ariana, your father is seeking you. He demanded once you are back you go see him in his at once." I nodded. I didn't speak.

I was well aware of what that was. I went to the office of my father, and the sound of my footsteps on the marble floor was reminding me of my smallness in that large house.

The door was open, and there he was, Richard Hale, my father, sitting behind his great mahogany desk, papers on his desk. "Where have you been? Why were you not at home all day? he demanded.

His voice lacked warmth and concern, and was nothing but accusation. I hesitated, then spoke. "I went to see Dr. Morrison. He replied that my condition has deteriorated.

He told me that my hearing and sight would not last much longer unless I keep taking my medicine. My voice shook slightly. "I... I need your help father. I'll even... I'll work if I have to. I just...

I need the money to keep going." My father sat back on his chair and clasped his hands. His eyes were cold, calculating. "I have spent enough money on you, Ariana, "he said slowly. "Soon enough to bankrupt e should I go on.

You have made me spend money in your entire life. Since you were born, you were a loss and a burden from beginning." I flinched. His language was harsh and hurtful , and I endeavoured not to get affected by it.

I heard them once, many a time. "Itit's not my fault father." I mumbled. "Not your fault? Then whose fault is it?" he went on, his voice a little higher. "Your mother died giving birth to you. You were ill since you were a toddler.

All the treatment, all the doctors, all the time in hospitals has cost me a fortune. And now the doctors tell you you will not live to twentyone. Why will i try bond with a child who would die anytime soon?

Why would i want such a pointless relationship? When i can bond with the one who has never brought me any worry? I swallowed hard. I couldn't respond. I had no words.

He confined, and his voice was lower, colder. "She will make me profit," he said almost smiling at the thought, "Alina. She will get married to Damien Blackwood who is amongst the wealthiest businessmen in the country.

This marriage will guarantee me the wealth, my power, and my legacy. You... you have done me no good. You are useless, Ariana. It is only a burden that is soon to be gone." "I... I will get another way, I said to myself. "I'll... I'll work.

I'll get help elsewhere. I can manage." He motioned his hand in dismissal. "Do as you like, Ariana. But do not ask me again of money." Before he could say another word I turned my back. I did not want to see the rage or hate in his eyes anymore.

I went back to my room without saying anything, and every step reverberated in the silent halls of the mansion. When I got there I shut the door and leaned against it, my body trembling. I drew a long breath, but that had no effect on me.

I slowly walked over to the mirror, nearly terrified at what I was going to see. My image was pale and frail as I stared at it. but I was stopped by my eyes.

The crimson, weird spots which began like a dot was now covering the greater part of my eyeballs. One tear fell down my cheek. I didn't even try to stop it.

I had long since abandoned the hope of having a normal life. "Why... why does it have to be me?"

I walked to the bathroom. I had to take a hot bath to get myself calmed. My body was weak and my chest was sore whenever I inhaled. I switched on the shower and got into the shower gradually.

The hot water flowed along my skin, but it did not soothe me. It just made me remember that I had turned so weak. I bathed, dried myself and wore my nightgown. I was trembling and opened the small metal box on my table where I had my medication.

I already knew what would be there, yet I was still searching the empty pack hoping that a miracle pill would be found. Nothing. I had swallowed the final pill the day before. I sat on the side of my bed looking at the empty pill pack.

My chest tightened again. Without the drug, things would be worse. The physician had already alerted me in the morning. My vision would begin to deteriorate. My hearing would decline. My bleeding would get more frequent.

I was expected to have two pills daily, and I did not even have one. I put the empty pack on the table and rubbed my face with both hands. I suddenly felt like my body was responding to the stress and I tasted something metallic. My lips felt wet.

I wiped them with my thumb and there was blood. Here we go again. I got on my feet and went to the mirror. My nose was already bleeding. After a few seconds I heard the old warm trickle on my left side.

It did not surprise me any longer; it just made me weary. I took a clean towel and pressed it against my nose and ear cleaning up the blood on my chin. The bleeding was more tonight, perhaps because I had not taken the pills.

I sat down on the floor in the bathroom waiting until it subsided. It did come back, later on, I was aware it would. It always did. At the moment of everything being over, I rinsed my face and washed my hands.

I wiped the sink off, disposed of the bloody tissues, and went back to bed. My head hurt. My eyes were stiff and hot, as though there was something trying to push at the inside. I went to sleep and covered myself with the blanket.

I hated nights like this. I despised the fact that I felt like my time was passing faster than others. I recalled what my father say to me earlier: I will not spend money on a person who has less than three years to live.

He made it sound so bad, as though I were a bad investment that he should have regretted making. I kept my eyes closed and wished that I would fall asleep and close the rest of the world. I eventually fell asleep after a long time.

But sleep didn't last. I was rudely awakened by a bang on my door. Bang. Bang. Bang. I sat up with a jump, and my heart leaped in my chest. "Ariana!" my father shouted. "Open this door right now!" My hands shook as I rose out of bed.

I opened the door slowly. There was Richard Hale, flushed and angry, in his evening clothes. His tie was loose at his neck, and his eyes were wild as he had been seeking everywhere. "Where is your sister?" he yelled.

My voice was low and coarse. "I don't know." He stepped closer. "Do not play games with me tonight.

Where is Alina?" "I said I don't know." My throat felt tight." I have not seen her since morning when she had breakfast before i went to the hospital!" He banged his hand on the frame of the door, and I jumped. "It is not the moment to be stupid, Ariana!

It is tomorrow morning, the wedding! Is! Tomorrow!" He was pointing a finger at me." Your sister is missing , her phone is switched off, her location is switched off, and even her man does not know where she is. So tell me the truth.

Where the hell did you go hide your sister! Where is she?" "I am telling you the truth," I said hastily. "I don't know where she is. I had no idea that she was missing.

I was in my room." He shook his head as though he did not believe a word. "You expect me to believe that? Huh? You? The same Ariana who is ever in her defence? He made a step toward me, and I retreated. "You two think I'm a fool?

You two better stop playing games and you! You had better stop lying to me before I lost my cool!" My eyes widened. "I swear I don't know anything.

Why would I lie about this?" "Since you are seeking revenge," he said. "Because you want to piss me off. You know we had a busy day today, and nobody thought where you were. You are doing all of this so the attention comes back to you right?

Fine, now you have my attention, tell me! What do you want! Where is your sister!" "No, that is not so," I said to him, although I knew there was no use arguing with him. He caught my wrist and squeezed it. "Where. Is.

Alina?" "I don't know!" I cried out. He set me free and walked in front of my door breathing hard whilst he paced. . "Her location is switched off. No message, nothing! And the wedding is hours away! Have you any idea what that is?

Do you have any idea what would happen if a bride goes missing hours before her wedding!

Do you!" He screamed, the veins on his forehead popping out. "I do," I said, in a soothing manner, in an attempt to quiet him. "But I really do not know where she is." He ceased pacing, and looked at me, as though he had finally made a decision. "You think this is funny?

This is a joke? Let me tell you somet my," , he said, and pointed at my chest. "If you do not find your sister," he paused and took a good look at me, i I felt my stomach tighten. "If you do not bring Alina to me..." "you'll be the bride."

"Where is she?" I questioned myself when I emerged out of the last house on my list, and, as usual, she was not there. "Where are you Alina?" I mumbled.

I had already checked all possible places I could think of last night after father had left my room. I had called at the houses of the friends of Alina, mocked at all the doors, inquired of every person I could recall that she had spoken to.

No one knew where she was. I massaged my forehead and groaned. There was only one place left. I was forced to visit the police station. Maybe they could help. Perhaps, they might locate her in time. The ride there was quiet.

I barely noticed the traffic. I just thought about Alina, my sister, my twin, the loved one of everyone yet the only one who sometimes cared about me, and how she may vanish without any trace. My stomach churned. How could this be happening?

I arrived at the station and went into it and to the front desk. "I... I want to file a kissing person report," I said, endeavoring to maintain my voice. The officer glared up at me and scowled seeing my blood soaked shirt. "Who's missing?

And why are you covered in blood?" "My sister. Alina Hale," I replied ignoring his other question. "She disappeared last night." And as if on cue, blood ran down my nose, and i used my shirt to wipe.

The man squirmed. "I am sorry, Miss Hale, but it has not been twentyfour hours since she went. You will be required to report back after twenty four hours in case you wish to report a missing person. I froze. "What? That... that's impossible!

You see you sir, it is her wedding day! She is to be married to day! He shook his head. "I'm sorry, but that's the law. We cannot do anything until the necessary time is elapsed." I walked out of the police station more helpless than ever before.

Upon returning to the mansion, no one was in the living room, except my father. He was standing close to the window and he was looking anxious with his hands pressed against the glass.

As he caught sight of me he turned and his face was full of anger. "There you are!" he barked. "Where have you been? And no more excuses of yours this time!" "I...

I had gone to look for sister." "Do not lie to me!" he exclaimed, his voice growing higher. "I am fully aware of what you are up to.

You and Alina are playing games and I am not falling to it!" "I swear it's not a joke!" I said, my voice shaking. "I do not know where she is!" He did not answer instantly. "Then tell me the truth, or I will make you put on the gown, " he said slowly and with a low cold voice.

I froze. My stomach dropped. My chest was as though it had been caught between an iron hand. "Father..." I started, my voice trembling. "Please... we may file a missing person report. It is possible to make more calls, visit more destinations.

Don't make me do this" His voice interrupted me, and was as sharp as a whip. "Is it possible that a report will make a difference? You do not know anything, Ariana but we do. I am aware of where your sister is hiding. I know she's with you.

I have no idea what sick game you two are playing And, unless you take her out, unless you do what is necessary, you will be the bride." I shook my head, stepping back. "I don't know where she is!" It is, I said, more desperate this time. "I swear I don't!

You need not make me, please, you need not" "Fine," he said after some time. "You wanted money right? You wanted to work right?

Do this as a job, replace your sister at the altar till she is found, I'll make sure you'll get the best doctors to treat you." I could feel my hands shaking. My chest heaved. I would have screamed, would have run, would have hid.

I would have given anything rather than what he was insisting. And yet... I realized that I could not argue any more. I had no options but nod in agreement. He took out his phone and placed a call.

Several minutes afterward, a physician came to the mansion. He was the one who had attended to me previously, and knew my condition.

My father signaled me to sit and the doctor was about to make a special injection. "This will put a stop to your bleeding," my father said, his voice quite remarkably quiet, almost businesslike. "Once it's done, you'll be ready." I swallowed hard.

I rolled up my sleeve and my hands were trembling. The injection was done by the doctor and I could feel the sting of the needle. My blood gradually ceased to flow. Relief mixed with fear. "Thank you father." I mumbled. He did not answer in a flash.

He just gave me a dress, the wedding dress of my sister, which was white and heavy. I held it gradually, my hands touching the fine material.

The thought of putting it on, of standing up in front of all those people, of being that person I was not, made my chest tighten. "You have to act like her," he said at last. "At the wedding.

Do this and I will give you the money to your treatments and I will ensure that someone discovers a cure to your illness. But you have to do it. No mistakes. No lies. No excuses." I nodded slowly, but my heart was beating in my chest.

I had no other choice. I did not wish to do so but I had to. But my life, my treatment, my little hope that I can live. He gave me a piece of paper folded up. I opened it carefully. On it, in handwriting, were the words: Your vows.

I looked at the paper and my hands trembled and my chest tightened. I could barely breathe. I muttered to myself, with a little voice, and doubtful. "My vows..."