''Why are you so quiet?'' Kai asked as he drove the car into the main road. Since Amala got into the car, she hadn't said a word to him.
''Nothing!'' Amala looked outside the window and sighed. ''Do you like my sister?'' Amala asked after a while.
''Yes, I do!''
''You are quite honest. Why do you like her?'' Amala turned to look at Kai.
''Nothing particular. I just like her. She is hardworking, dextrous and kind.''
''The two I know but kind? I doubt that. She thinks I wanted to hurt Erica on purpose. Why would I do that to a kid?''
''Your sister must have being scared that's why she reacted that way. I bet she regrets it!''
''I doubt so. I doubt she will even miss me when I die.'' Amala muttered and touched her stomach.
Kai looked at Amala and turned his gaze back to the road. 'Are you alright? You look paler than before.''
''I'm fine.'' Amala closed her eyes saying. 'Wake me up when we are home.''
''Thank you for bringing me home!'' Amala said as she got down from the car.
''Will you be alright staying at home alone? You can come to my place and sleep until tomorrow.''
''It's okay, I will be fine. Even in the midst of people I still like to be alone. Good night brother in law.''
''Amala, wait!'' Kai got down from the car and asked. 'Why do you call me brother in law? Your sister doesn't like it.''
''Because I want you to be my brother in law. You are the most fit.''
''I see. Go inside, if you need anything call me.''
''Mm, goodnight!' Amala smiled and went inside.
…..
Amala came out of her room and saw Jolene at the kitchen. She turned to go back inside and Jolene spoke.
''I've seen you Amala. Breakfast is ready!''
Amala looked at her and chuckled sarcastically. ''Breakfast is ready? I'm sorry but I have an appointment that I need to attend to.''
''Where are you going? Amala if this is about yesterday, you should know that I get anxious when it involves Erica.''
''So that gives you to write to disrespect me and make me out to be this villain that is out to kill your daughter, right? Jolene, coming here was my biggest mistake. I should have just stay at Hans City and take the beatings from that man until I finally die. To think I even had faith in you.''
''Amala…''
''You know… anytime I want to give you the benefit of the doubt, you just go ahead and make me realize how stupid I am for believing that you would be a better option than dad.''
''Amala, I overreacted, I am sorry!''
''You overreacted? That wasn't overreaction, Jolene. That was you showing me that even in death you would pick your daughter over me and that is okay. I've long accepted the fact that I am alone in this world.''
''You make me sick, Jolene. You make me feel disgusted by the excuses that you make.''
''That's enough, Amala. I am your elder sister…''
''No! I don't have an elder sister. The elder sister I knew died the day you left me in that hospital. You are just someone who look like her and I was damned to even think that you could me her.'' Amala chuckled and brushed her hair backwards. ''Do you listen to your sister talk Jolene? If you were my elder sister you wouldn't for a minute doubt my intentions towards Erica. If you were my sister, you wouldn't have jumped to conclusion and call me a liar. If you were my elder sister, you wouldn't have said those words to me in the hospital. I was scared, Jolene. More than anyone else, I was scared and wished I was in the ward and not Erica. And instead of finding out what really happened, you blamed me and called me a killer.''
''I'm sorry, Amala. I really am. I know this isn't the first time I am apologizing for something but can you give me a chance?''
''No! Keep feeling sorry, Jolene. I have nothing to say to you. I am only here because I don't have anywhere else to go. Once I start school, I will look for a job and when I get one I will move out. I don't think I can stay with you anymore. You disgust me!'' Amala went back into her room and came out with her handbag. She went to the hall and picked her phone on the table and left.
''Amala…'' Jolene hurried after her. By the time she came outside, Amala had gotten into a taxi and left.
Jolene sighed and turned. She saw Kai coming out of the penthouse. They looked at each other and she clasped her hands nervously.
''How is Erica doing?'' Kai asked.
''She is fine! I am going back to the hospital. She will be discharged this morning.'' Jolene said.
''Alright! I'm going to the office, I will see you later.''
'I… nothing.'' Jolene said and turned to leave.
''Let's talk tonight if you have time. I think it's about time we talked, right?''
''Mm. Okay!'' Jolene said and went back to her flats.
…..
Ren City hospital.
Erica stared at the door for a long time and sighed. She turned to Rosa and asked. ''Why is aunt not coming to see me?''
''Your aunt will come to see you.''
''Aunt Rosa, yesterday I was the one who asked aunt to send me to the park. I cried and pleaded with her. What happened wasn't her fault. She told me to sit down and went to buy us water. I was the one who climbed on the swing without her permission or help.''
''You were the one?'' Rosa asked.
''Yes. I was the one. Aunt warned me that my mum would be angry if she saw us there but I still pleaded with her to let me go.'' Erica said and they looked at the door when they saw it open.
''Aunt, you are here!'' Erica said excitedly when she saw Amala at the door.