First person's point of view
Monica's world was crumbling around her. The pains she had endured the last day had left her reeling. Desperate for comfort and answers, she turned to one person she had always been drawn to, yet forbidden from seeing her grandfather, Mr Edward.
For years, Emily had kept Monica away from her grandfather, locking him in a mental hospital. But today fate seems to be on Monica's side. As she got to the hospital, she found the nurses distracted by one of the patients, allowing her to slip in unnoticed.
As she entered the room, Monica's eyes met with her grandfather's, who was deep in thought. Mr Edward's eyes, which were once full of life and bright, now seemed warm. Yet as he looked up at Monica, he felt a glimmer of warmth and recognition flickered to life.
" Monica, my dear child" his voice was trembling with fear.
Monica's heart races as she approaches him, her mind filled with fear and questions. What secret had my mother hidden all this year? Why was she kept away from her grandfather?
It was like Mr Edward's eyes were able to read her thoughts, he began to reveal a long hidden truth which was the reason he was locked up.
" Monica, I am not crazy, it was Emily who had me locked up". Monica's mind tried to process the revelation. Why would his mother do such a thing? What would she gain from it? She wondered.
Her grandfather's words were like a bombshell to her existence: "it was because I discovered you are Tomas's real daughter".
Monica's mind widened with shock, her mind was racing with questions. She felt like she was living in a nightmare.
" Grandfather, what do you mean?" She asked, her voice nearly a whisper.
Mr Edward's eyes filled with tears, his voice shaking. "I am so sorry Monica, I should have told you sooner, but I was afraid of what Emily might do to you."
Monica's heart went out to her grandfather. She felt a sense of sorrow and regret. She had always known her family had been complimented, but she never knew she had been living in secret and lies. Monica sat with her father, listening to his words, trying to make sense of the truth. Monica realized her life would never be the same as she had been living a life, a life constructed by her mother to keep her in the dark. But now the truth was out, Monica was determined to uncover the secrets that had been hidden for so long.
Monica was stunned by Mr Edward's revelation" what do you mean grandfather", her voice nearly a whisper" Tomas, your adoptive father is your biological father" he repeated, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and regret. Monica's heart was racing as she tried to process the bombshell "but how.....why?" She stammered.
Mr Edward took a deep breath, beginning a story that would change Monica's life forever. "Tomas, my son and your real mother, Maria, were deeply in love. But when he brought her home as a wife, I refused to accept their relationship. I thought Maria was below her family status, a poor orphan with no wealth or connections. I forced Tomas to marry Emily instead because I thought she was more suitable and perfect for him".
Monica's eyes widened in disbelief, "but grandfather, how could you do such a thing," she asked, with pain in her heart. Mr Edward's expression turned sober" I know my child, I was blinded by my pride. But Maria was pregnant. When she came to our house, I promised to take responsibility.
I didn't want Tomas's marriage to be broken, so I bought her a house and watched over her till she gave birth to her.
Monica's heart raced as her grandfather continued the story. "But one day, I received a call that Maria's house was on fire. I rushed over there but it was too late. Maria had died, and you were nowhere to be found. I searched everywhere, finally I found you in an orphanage. I started investigating Maria's death and how the fire started. I discovered that the fire was not an accident, someone had intentionally set the house on fire and I found out Emily was behind it". Monica's eyes were already filled with tears. "I couldn't visit the orphanage for weeks, by the time I returned you were already adopted by Emily. I tried to understand everything and why she would do such a thing. When I asked her she just smiled and said she knew who you are, that she knew everything from the beginning.
Mr Edward's voice cracked with emotion "she had me injected with a madness serum and had me locked up in this mental hospital. I've been locked up here for years, unable to reveal the truth, Tomas even turned his back on me because of that woman he didn't visit nor call me. I wasn't able to protect my family from that woman.
Monica felt like her world was crumbling around her, she didn't know what to say or how to process the information. Her mind was racing with questions and emotions, her heart was heavy with grief and anger. She looked at her grandfather's eyes full of pain and regret. She knew she had to find a way to bring justice to her mother.
With a newfound sense of determination, Monica began to ask questions, her mind racing with the implications of her grandfather's revelation.
She knew she had a long road ahead of her, but she was ready to face whatever challenge came her way. She was ready to fight for her family, her mother and herself.
As she walked out of the mental hospital, Monica felt a sense of purpose. She knew there was still more to learn and to uncover....
Mr Edward's words echoed in Monica's ear as she left the hospital, her mind racing with the shocking revelation. " Be careful Monica, once Emily finds out you know everything she will stop at nothing but to silence you. Her ears are everywhere, so watch your back". Monica's heart raced as she processed her grandfather's words, her mind racing with fear. As she walked towards her car, lost in thought, she didn't notice Gael approaching her. " Monica, how are you? Are you okay? What is going on?" He asked with concern.
But Monica was too distracted to answer, her eyes fixed on some distant point as tears rolled down her face. Gael's eyes narrowed as he watched her, sensing something amiss. He quickly got into his car and followed her, keeping a safe distance as she drove away from the hospital. Monica's mind was filled with emotions, her thoughts were consumed by visions of Emily's betrayal and deceit. She was ready to make Emily pay for her crimes.
Just then, a large truck drove out of nowhere and intentionally crashed into Monica's car. Gael, who had been following her, rushed out of the car and ran towards Monica's car, his heart racing in his chest. He yanked the door and pulled her out of the car, shielding her from the wreck as the trunk sped away. " Monica, are you okay? Oh God, please be okay", he pleaded with fear.
Monica's eyes flutter open, her gaze unfocused as she tries to process what has just happened. Gael quickly rushed her to the hospital, his mind racing towards the worst-case scenario.
Arriving at the emergency room, Gael shouted orders at the medical staff, demanding they take care of Monica right away.
The doctors and the nurses rushed into action, surrounding Monica with a flurry of activity as they tried to stabilize her condition. Gael paced outside the ER, praying that Monica would be okay. The minutes ticked like hours, Gael's anxiety reaching a fever pitch as he waited for the news of Monica's condition.
Finally, the doctor emerged from the ER with a sober expression on his face. "She's stable now, but we need to keep her under observation. We don't know when she might wake up. It was a close call, she is lucky to be alive". Gael breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew Monica's life was in danger, and he was determined to help her.
As Gael sat beside Monica's bed watching her sleep, he knew he had to be vigilant. .
The next twenty-four hours were like a blurry Gael rarely leaves Monica's side as she recovers from the accident.
With a fierce determination burning in his heart, Gael vowed to protect Monica at all costs. As he looked down on Monica's peaceful face he knew he would do anything to protect her. He knew the kind of woman Emily was, and he knew she would be out there to strike anything and by that time he would also be ready. He had known Emily ever since he was young. He also knew Monica was adopted and how she had been treated by her family and even Miguel, her husband, who was his own secretary. He promised to protect Monica at all costs, even if it would cost him his life.