Shadows of revenge

Chapter Eight

Cindy observed the room. It was decorated in a modern-day fashion for a family and could comfortably accommodate six people. She understood that Max lived alone.

Not long after, Max arrived. She stood up to greet him as he walked toward her.

"Hello, Max," she said, looking at him warily as he approached.

"Hi, Cindy," he smiled coldly as he reached her. Cindy looked at him from beneath her lashes; he was tall, but she was not intimidated. "You can take your seat. Coffee?" he asked inquiringly.

"That would be great."

"Cream or black?"

"Cream."

"Be right back," he said, leaving for the kitchen. He returned a few minutes later with two steaming mugs. He placed one on the table and sat down with the other. Cindy picked up the mug and took a sip. Max picked up a document from the side and handed it to her.

"What is this?" she asked, looking at the document with a confused expression.

"It's an agreement you need to sign."

She looked at it and read slowly. Apparently, Max wanted assurance that she wouldn't back out. She would marry him in return for her mother's good health, and if she failed to carry out her duties as Mrs. Anderson, Max would stop financing her mother's healthcare. She had to sign it. After all, she accepted the offer knowing fully well it was on these terms that she would marry him. She picked up the pen at the side, signed it, and then handed it over to Max.

Max smiled. "I'll send a copy of it to you tomorrow," he said.

"When can we start my mother's treatment?" she asked.

"As soon as you want."

"She needs surgery. I'll meet with the finance department of Bryant Hospitals and let you know the cost."

"Alright. Keep me updated."

She paused for a moment before asking, "When is the wedding?"

"Tomorrow."

The room fell silent. For a few moments, Cindy stared at Max as if he were joking, waiting for him to say something else. But after a few seconds, when Max did not say a word, she frowned. "Tomorrow?!" What was she expecting? She knew Max did not joke; she should have known better.

"Yes. Everything's ready; you just need to show up dressed like a bride and make the vows—that's all."

"My mother doesn't know you or about us. How do I explain this to her? And your mom—does she know about this? Doesn't she deserve to know about your marriage beforehand?"

"Do not worry about it; like I said, you just need to show up."

She felt like her head was going to split. "Okay. No issues. I'll do that," she said through clenched teeth.

"Good," he smiled.

"I'll be on my way then," she said, pressing her lips together to hold back what she really wanted to say.

"Alright, I'll be at your place to pick you up tomorrow. We're going to see my mother," he informed her.

"Okay." She picked up her bag and walked out of the house to see the car that had brought her to the Anderson mansion. The driver opened the door for her to get in and closed it after she was seated, then got into the car and drove off.

On their way, Megan called to inform her that she was at the airport. She begged the driver to do a detour so she could pick her up. They arrived in a few minutes, and Cindy spotted Megan with her luggage on the sidewalk, looking around anxiously. The driver stopped not too far from where Megan stood, and Cindy got out to meet her.

"Megan!" she called out from a distance.

Megan whipped her head in the direction of her voice. "Cindy!!!" she screamed with joy and ran toward her with her luggage. She jumped on her and hugged her tightly. "I missed you so much!"

Cindy smiled. "I missed you too."

"How's Mom?"

Cindy took Megan's luggage from her and led her toward the car. "She is undergoing treatment right now, but there’s no progress yet."

Megan stopped her. "I thought she was in the ICU! Why is she suddenly undergoing treatment?"

Cindy didn't answer immediately; after a moment of silence, she said, "I'll explain everything to you when we get home."

They stopped in front of the car where the driver awaited them, and then the driver opened the door for them. Cindy nudged Megan to get into the car, and she complied. Megan was confused and looked at Cindy with a 'what's going on?' expression. Cindy gave her a quiet signal with her hands over her mouth, and Megan sat back in excitement, eager to hear what was going on. The driver took them to the hospital before finally returning to the mansion.

Megan and Cindy entered Sophia's ward; she was out of the ICU by now but looked frail and sick—a shadow of her former self. She was awake when they entered and smiled at them.

“Megan, love. You're here.”

Megan rushed over to Sophia's bed and crouched in front of her. “Yes, Mom, I am. How are you feeling?” She smiled bitterly at Sophia; she wasn't pleased with her condition.

“I’m fine, dear,” Sophia said, holding her hands and smiling at her.

“Mom! I told you to take care of yourself and not let Cindy trouble you.”

Cindy coughed lightly, indicating she was also in the room.

“I know Cindy troubled you.”

“No, she didn’t. Instead, I am the one troubling her.”

“Mom, don’t say that,” they both echoed.

“I know, but Cindy is not living the life she is supposed to right now because of me.” A tear dropped from her eyes at the thought.

Cindy rushed over to her mom's bedside and bent close to her. “Mom, I'm absolutely fine. Believe me, you don't have to worry about me.”

“See?” Megan added. “Mom, she’s fine with it.”

“No, she’s not.” Sophia burst into tears. “I’d have given her that life, but I only ended up being a burden.”

Cindy hugged her mom tightly. “Mom, don’t say that,” she patted her. Megan looked on sadly; the sickness was weighing down on Sophia, she thought.

After some time, Sophia fell asleep. Cindy tucked her in, and both she and Megan left the hospital.

They got home an hour later, holding bags of food items. They decided to make something delicious and catch up on all they’d missed. They both freshened up and headed to the kitchen, ready to prepare their meal.

“Now, Cindy, spill the beans,” Megan said while preparing the vegetables. “I’ve been on my toes since this afternoon.”

“About what?” Cindy feigned ignorance about what Megan was talking about.

“Girl, cut the crap; you know what I’m talking about. The car? The driver? Start telling me something, babe; that wasn’t nothing.”

Cindy was dicing some cheese but suddenly dropped the knife. “It’s not a big deal, babe.”

“Really?” Megan raised her eyebrows. “Not a big deal? Alright, tell me about the small... deal.”

Cindy rolled her eyes and continued dicing. “I’m getting married.”

Megan sliced her finger. “Ah!” she screamed.

“Oh my God, Megan! You need to be more careful!” Cindy rushed over, rinsed the blood off Megan's finger, and then got a first aid kit.

“Really? You’re just telling me you’re getting married?” Megan said coolly.

Cindy ignored her. “Does it hurt?” she asked.

“Not as much as what you just did!” Megan shouted.

Cindy looked at her in surprise. She dropped the first aid kit after cleaning up the wound. “Okay, I’m sorry. I was supposed to tell you, but I didn’t want to spoil your honeymoon.”

“With a good news?” Cindy looked down. “Wait!” She looked at Cindy again and asked, “It’s not a good union; so it’s not good news.” Cindy didn’t say anything. “You cannot marry, Cindy—not like this.”

“It’s done already. We will get married in two weeks,” Cindy said.

“That’s enough time to cancel.”

“No. I have to. For my mother.”

“Is that what this is about? She would die if she found out you got married for her sake. We could find some other way.”

“There is no other way!” Cindy yelled as she went into her room and shut the door.

Megan ran after her. “Cindy, honey. Let’s talk about this; we can find another way,” she begged.

Cindy fell on her bed, head down, and cried.