"You might feel pain around your pelvic region. This is normal. Just take deep breaths and relax into the stretch", the computerized yoga instructor's voice echoed through the speakers in the gym.
Amy did as told, letting out a deep breath and relaxed with her eyes closed. The seconds ticked by as she remained in that position. She was seated upright on a chair, her right ankle resting on her left knee, and her hands raised.
"Well done. That's it for today. Remember to drink lots of water and...."
Amy let out a sigh as she used her hands to put her leg down. She took a water bottle beside the foot of the chair and gulped down a good amount. A maid who was standing by the door went to turn off the sound system before going to help Any up.
"It's okay", Amy said with a groan as she slowly stood up.
The girl followed her behind. Zach had instructed, through Edmund, that Amy should not be left alone especially during this time. Someone should always be with her, just in case.
When they reached her room, the girl remained at the door while Amy went on to shower and change into a floral sundress leaving her blond hair to fall freely. She felt hungry after her exercise session and took the stairs going down to find something in the kitchen.
The front door slammed close. Her face lit up when she saw Richard and Stella walking in.
"Welcome back", Amy said to them when she reached the foot of the stairs.
"Thanks kiddo", Richard answered while his wife nodded before taking the stairs, going up to their room.
Amy's brows rose at Richard in question. "Everything okay? Did something happen at the hospital?"
He sighed and shook his head. Stella's heels echoed as she ascended the stairs in her crutches. When she reached their room, she set them aside and changed into some comfortable clothes before getting under the sheets.
Thinking back to what happened at the hospital, she sighed feeling embarrassed. She pulled up the sheets and decided to sleep it off. But her phone started ring. She groaned as she reached for it from her night stand. Without even looking, she swiped to answer and place to her ear.
"Hello?" Her voice was hoarse but it was still audible.
"I'd rather see your face than your ear my dear Mrs. Thornton", Nora's sweet voice resounded from the phone.
"Huh?" Stella retracted the phone and soon faced the camera to see her daughter's beautiful face. "Oh."
"What's wrong with your voice?" Nora asked worriedly. Stella was silent, unable to bring herself to speak. But of course, Nora guessed it and hardly suppressed a laugh as she asked, "Did you cry again during your physiotherapy? This time seems a little worse."
"Is this why you called?" Stella's annoyance was displayed by her face.
"Of course not", she deepened her voice mimicking Stella's.
"I'll hang up!"
"Alright! Alright! I'm sorry!" She said in between laughter and calmed herself down before continuing to speak in seriousness. "Lily was here."
Stella sat up at this as she grew alert. She felt her heart skip a bit and a nervous twist in her stomach. "What did she want?"
"She said it's about last time."
Stella rolled her eyes and sighed. "Tell her I'm not interested."
"Mm. Oh! And she asked where you were? I told her you were referred to a city hospital for treatment. I did good, didn't I?" She had a sweet smile on as she sought for praises and Stella nodded at this. A glint of mischief flashed in Nora's eyes as she took the opportunity to make a special request. "So..... I was wondering..... Since I did so well...."
"It better not be about Amy", she warned with a deadly glare.
"Mooooom!" She whined. "I just need to see her...."
"How can I stand by and let you ruin her relationship?"
"I wouldn't be ruining it, I'd be fixing it. Don't deprive them of what they need: ME!" She emphasized with a pat of her chest.
Stella didn't waste a second and ended the video call. "Just whose child is she?" She grumbled in annoyance. A knock was heard and she answered after clearing her throat. "Yes?"
A maid opened the door from the outside giving way to the heavily pregnant Amy. The latter had a tray in her hand with a bowl of soup. Amy smiled at Stella who was watching her while putting away her phone.
"I made a little something for you. Chicken noodle soup", Amy said as she set it down on the night stand.
"Oh dear! You shouldn't have", Stella frowned while Amy shook her head in response. "Thank you."
"No. Give it try. Careful, it's hot", she reminded as she sat down on the edge of the bed.
Stella picked up the tray and set it on her lap, twirled a bite, blew on it and had a taste. She hummed in appreciation as she brought the bowl to her mouth and sipped on the soup. Amy was happy to see this. For someone who was a better cook than her to react this way, it made her heart swell with pride.
Amy watched the older woman's expression. Although she was enjoying it, her face soon turned into a troubled expression. Amy could guess it was not the soup. Then...
"You don't have to be embarrassed. Physiotherapy is never not painful", she sympathized.
Stella awkwardly chuckled softly as she twirled another bite. "It's not that.....", She smacked her lips and looked up at Amy. The latter could now see that the older woman was curious about something, and probably debating whether to ask or not.
"Was there something you wanted to know?" Amy gently asked.
"Well..... Hmmmmm.... Dear, you remember my cousin Lily?" Stella started and Amy nodded right away. The former exhaled softly as she rested the fork in her bowl. "Well. She said something about a change coming into..... you know? You don't.... happen to have a hand in that now, do you?"
"Uh..... I'm not sure to what extend but I would be lying if I say no."
"Amy", Stella frowned at this. "I don't know what your story is but you shouldn't get involved with that kind of..... world. It's dirty, disgusting, and most of all dangerous. Think of yourself, your future with Zach, and the baby", Stella caressed Amy's stomach. Though she was looking at the baby bump, Stella had spaced out as though she was recalling a far away memory. "Those people..... They have no regard and show no mercy to such innocence."
Amy looked down at her belly before looking at Stella's face. The latter's brows had knitted together in displeasure. This got Amy curious with one question in mind that she decided to voice out. She swallowed a hard lump, knowing she would be touching on a sensitive subject.
"What happened..... for you to leave?"
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om