WORRIED

ALICE’S POV.
I rolled my car to a stop in front of my parents’ house, the familiar sight of the old brick facade and overgrown garden bringing a flood of memories. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves before stepping out. The crisp autumn air felt different here.
I walked up the stairs slowly and soon I was at the door. I slowly twisted the hinges of the door and pushed it open. The front door creaked open with a familiar groan, and I stepped inside, greeted by the faint aroma of home-cooked meals. “Mom? Dad?” I called out, my voice trembling slightly.
My mother emerged from the kitchen, her face lighting up as soon as she saw me. “Alice, sweetheart! You’re here!” She wrapped me in a warm hug, her embrace comforting as usual.
“How’s Dad?” I asked, pulling back to look into her eyes.
“Not great, but we’re managing. He’s in his room resting,” she said, her voice catching slightly. She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and led me down the hall.
When I entered my father’s room, the sight of him lying in bed, looking frail and weak, nearly broke my heart. His eyes brightened when he saw me, but there was tiredness there that hadn’t been present in my last memories of him.
“Dad,” I said, my voice breaking. I sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand. “I’m here now.”
He smiled weakly, his hand squeezing mine. “Alice, my girl. It’s good to see you. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
I fought back tears, struggling to hold my composure. “Don’t talk like that, Dad. You are making me seem like an outsider, I might be . arrived now but I’m still your daughter”.
” Ofcourse you are and my favorite one at that,” He stuttered with some words. He patted my hand and then looked at me with a troubled expression. “Alice, I’m sorry about Elizabeth.”
I stiffened, my heart sinking. “You don’t have to-”
“No, I insist,” he interrupted. “I know I’ve been harsh. But you must understand, she has always been trouble. I’m afraid she’ll cause more harm.”
” She won’t, she’s changing,” I defended. ” Don’t say that Alice, she would never change and why would you ever think she will?,” He asked.
” She stays with me now,” I said softly, rather unsure if I should have said that at all.
” Why would you allow her to stay at your home?. Wait, if you are here, were is she?,” He shifted on the bed.
” At ho.. me,” I half-whispered but I’m sure he heard me. ” You left her with your husband!,” He yelled and then suddenly he started to cough out loud. I patted his back continuously trying to calm him down and after sometime he did.
I swallowed hard. “Dad, Elizabeth is different now. She’s changed. She’s been helping me a lot.”
He shook his head, visibly agitated. “Alice, you’re too trusting. She’s always had a way of getting what she wants, and I fear she’s just pretending to be good. You need to be careful.”
I was taken aback. “But you don’t even know her now. She’s been nothing but helpful. Please, give her a chance.”
“No,” he said firmly, his face flushing. “I know what I see. Drive her away before she ruins everything for you.”
I tried to reason with him, but his determination was unshakable. “Dad, you’re still judging her based on her past. She’s making an effort. Please, at least try to see the good in her.”
Before he could respond, my mother walked in with a tray. On it was a bowl of homemade soup, the aroma filling the room with a comforting scent. She set it down on the bedside table and smiled at me.
” Can I feed dad?,” I pouted my lips. “Sure darling, go ahead,” Mom urged. ” Thank you mom,” I gave her a cute smile.
I took the spoon from her and helped feed my father, watching as he took slow sips. It has been long that I’ve been this close to dad and it felt so great.
____
I stood behind my mom watching her as she chopped vegetables while I was helping her boil the meat she bought from the market, I added some season and covered it up.
“How’s Liam handling everything?” my mother asked, it was the first time she was actually asking about Liam.
I hesitated, then said, “He’s been fine, but I’m worried about leaving him alone with Elizabeth. She’s changed, but I can’t shake the feeling that something might go wrong.” I opened up to her. She had always been my gist partner and my advisor and I told her everything, well not until I got married.
My mother nodded sympathetically. “It’s hard to trust someone who has hurt you before. But remember, sometimes people do change for the better.”
She dropped the knife and slowly took my hands in hers. “Alice dear, I really can’t say if Elizabeth is faking it or she’s changed, she is my daughter as well and I can’t take sides. I don’t know why you both dislike each other at first or why you’ve decided to trust her but if you have any doubt in your heart, try to clarify things and see if you can really trust her”.
” I’m not saying you are wrong for trusting her or you shouldn’t trust your sister but you know his manipulate Elizabeth could be , be sure before you start entrusting your life intoher hands. If you’d ask me dear, you shouldn’t have left your husband with her,” She advised. I let out a sigh.
” I don’t know mom, I wasn’t thinking straight all I was thinking about was dad. Maybe I shouldn’t trust Elizabeth but I trust Liam and I believe that no matter what he would not fall for her trucks,” I reassured.
” If you say so sweetheart,” She gave me a reassuring smile before going ahead to continue cooking.
” Excuse me mom,” I said before walking out of the kitchen. I pulled out my phone and slowly dialled Liam’s number but there was no reply.
I kept calling and calling but there was no one picking it up.
“Please pick up,” I whispered to myself, dialing again. “Please be okay.”
My heart raced, a mixture of worry and fear washing over me. I glanced at the clock, noting that it was getting late and how time was slipping away. What if my dad was right? What if Elizabeth’s presence will cause problems I was unaware of?
I felt a soft path on my shoulder, it was my mom, she must have noticed my distress. “Alice, dear, take a moment to breathe. You’ve done all you can, believe in your love. Liam will be fine, and you need to focus on your father and yourself.”
I nodded, though the worry remained etched in my features. “I know, Mom. I just hope I haven’t made a mistake.”
“Come to the dinning room, ok?,” She urged. “I will mom,” I replied dialing Liam’s number again.
At dinner, my thoughts kept juggling between my father’s health and Liam’s well-being. I only hoped that Elizabeth’s had really changed and if not Liam should be able to handle the situation.
Soon it was midnight, and I finally stopped dialing Liam’s number. I had to trust that everything would be okay, even if it meant leaving behind my own worries for a while.
I dragged my feet toward the window, staring out at the beautiful night. ” Please Kord let everything be fine, please nothing should happen between them,” I prayed silently.
My phone suddenly buzzed off with a message. It was from Liam.
“I’m busy, can’t talk right now. Everything’s fine here.” It read.
My breath caught in her throat and then it escaped my mouth in a sigh. The brief message did little to ease my concerns.
I read the message all over again not tearing my eyes from my phone. But wait a minute, des this mean he saw my missed calls and didn’t bother calling back?. That Jerk!.
NEXT MORNING.
LIAM’S POV
I woke up feeling a strange heaviness in my limbs, my mind foggy and disoriented. As the haze began to lift, the events of the night before came rushing back, hitting me like a freight train. I glanced down at Elizabeth, still draped across my chest, her breathing steady and even.
What had I done?
The memory of our frenzied coupling flashed through my mind, and I felt a surge of anger mixed with shame. I had lost control, given in to the base desires that I had tried so hard to suppress. But more than that, I had betrayed Alice.
I disentangled myself from Elizabeth’s grasp, slipping out of bed as quietly as I could. I needed to get away, to clear my head and figure out what the hell had happened. As I dressed, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and the sight made my stomach churn. The scratches on my back, the bite marks on my neck all evidence of my indiscretion.
With a final glance at Elizabeth, I left the room, my mind racing with a thousand conflicting thoughts. How could I have let this happen? What had come over me?
As I made my way to the kitchen, I tried to piece together the events of the night before. I remembered feeling dizzy, disoriented, and then… Elizabeth. She had been there, offering to help me, to take care of me. Had she planned this? Had she somehow orchestrated the whole thing?
The thought made my blood boil. If she had done this on purpose, if she had manipulated me into betraying Alice…
I clenched my fists, trying to reign in my anger. I needed to think, to figure out what my next move should be. But one thing was certain: Elizabeth had underestimated me if she thought I would let this slide.
I would find out the truth, and if Elizabeth was behind this, she would pay.
ELIZABETH’S POV
I woke up to an empty bed, the warmth of Liam’s body conspicuously absent. For a moment, panic surged through me. Had he realized what I had done? Had he left me?
But as I listened, I heard the faint clink of dishes from the kitchen. Relief washed over me. He was still here. I took a deep breath, steadying myself. I couldn’t afford to show any weakness now. I had to be strong, confident, and, most importantly, cunning.
I slipped out of bed, pulling on a robe as I made my way to the kitchen. I found Liam sitting at the table, a cup of coffee in his hands. He looked up as I entered.
“Good morning,” I said, trying to sound cheerful. “Did you sleep well?”
He didn’t respond immediately, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made me uneasy. Finally, he spoke, his voice cold. “You better start spilling the beans Elizabeth.”
My heart skipped a beat. “About what?”
“About last night.” There was clear anger in his voice.
I forced a smile, trying to play it cool. “We were both caught up in the moment, Liam. There’s nothing more to it.”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you.”
“Liam, please,” I said, stepping closer. “I care about you. I would never do anything to hurt you.”
He stood up, towering over me. “You drugged me, Elizabeth. Do you think I’m so dumb that I won’t know it was you?..”
I felt a flicker of fear, but I quickly masked it with a look of hurt. “I would never…”
“Save it,” he snapped. “I’m not a fool, Elizabeth. I know what you’re capable of.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, both from genuine fear and calculated manipulation. “Liam, please. I didn’t do it. It might be true that I loved you but I can’t bear to see Alice unhappy, she loves you so much and I’m willing to kill my feelings for her ”
He stared at me, his jaw clenched. ” Just quit pretending!. You’re playing a dangerous game, Elizabeth. If Alice finds out about this…”
“She won’t,” I said quickly, stepping closer. “I’ll make sure of it. Just give me a chance to prove myself to you. I won’t tell her about what happened.
LIAM’S POV.
I stared at her pathetic face, she looked ugly.
I can’t take her word for it, I can’t trust her. I can’t hide this from Alice but how do I tell her this?. Dammit!.