Winter wasn’t her favourite season of the year for Taylor, it was too cold for her comfort. The thick duvet the nurse had given her was not enough, she still felt cold. Taylor had woken up due to the cold, feeling so tired and weak all over. She wondered what sort of shot the doctor had given her, something mixed with a dose of sleeping pill no doubt she thought irritably. She had wanted to talk to Evelyn before she left, though her inner desperately wanted Justin but knew better than to hope for a kind response from him. She hadn’t set her eyes on him since he had given Mike some punch.

Speaking of Mike, she thought, she had better phone Tracy Moore, her manager to discuss what to do to the distrusting bastard. He had definitely hired someone on her, how else would he know she had gone to Red Valley? She had kept a very low profile, she even disguised herself whenever she went. She would need to remove her valuables from Red Valley with urgency, it was no longer safe for them, she thought. She knew what to do; she would bring them home with her...

“Taylor”

“Taylor”

The tiny voice from the receiver interrupted her thoughts, she had dialed Tracy’s number absentmindedly. “How is the situation with Mike?” she asked her voice sounding like a strangulated pig due to the pill that was administered on her.

Tracy was silent for a while then spoke up “How the hell did he know you went to Red valley?”

He must have had me followed, Taylor reasoned, but she couldn’t voice her opinion to her Manager who would no doubt cut her head off for such a slack on her part and definitely get annoyed about not being briefed.

“They can’t keep him in custody though” Tracy continued “but despite how angry he was, he only talked about you cheating on him with some guy at Red Valley, he does not seem to know your real purpose there. If he had known he would have blunted it out. I made sure I sued him for defamation and damages, I will milk him dry before he leaves that place, that is a promise I made to him and I will be sure not to break it” Tracy promised over the line.

Taylor knew the girl could do it, she had used the media to fight Justin too, squashing his name on every social media platforms Taylor owns which was handled by her and she had been quite tenacious about it. “Just do not do it like last time and get damages money only and let him go". “I will think about it “ came the curt reply and the line went dead in her ear.

She was frazzled from having to deal with the girl over and over, she couldn’t loose her also, since she was the one who had been there for her after her breakup with Justin. Her accommodation and trip to South Africa had all been orchestrated by Tracy, she was like an angel to Taylor. Immediately while still lost in thoughts, her phone started ringing, she picked it up. The call was from Mandy, her caretaker at Red Valley she looked up at the ceiling of the room and corners for hidden cameras that was the least she needed right now. Though she didn’t see any, she decided not to throw caution to the wind, she cut the call and decided to text her caretaker instead. “Prepare to leave Red valley with them, pack everything that might give them away and come to the Houston house right away, if the press finds them, just know you are not getting anything out of the $10 million”. That should do the trick; Mandy wasn’t one who joked with money, no, not when she has six mouths to feed.

A sudden jolt of her room door caught her attention, her phone dropped by her side just as a pretty blond head stuck her head in. Seeing Taylor was awake, Evelyn walked in. Taylor sighed in despair, she was desperately trying to get away from the couple but it seems they intended on getting to her. They both stared at each other for a while, Taylor's gaze was more of an inquire while Evelyn was just deeply assessing her. Seeing the stare was getting them nowhere.

Taylor broke the silence "Thanks for helping me on the stage” she might as well get it out. She might not have the opportunity again; well she prays she never gets to see them again.

Evelyn remained silent and continued her quizzical look. Taylor returned her stare with more intensity; Evelyn quite taken aback by her action shook her head, and finally sat down by the edge of the bed.

“Why are you here?” Taylor demanded as soon as Evelyn sat, she had even barely put down her purse. As usual, Evelyn was a bit quiet which further infuriated Taylor. She was about telling her off when her phone buzzed by her side, the message popping up on the screen, Evelyn turned her head to look at the phone when Taylor sat up with all fervency in her and grabbed her phone. Taylor held the phone up against her chest protectively, the message was from Mandy. 'I will be at Houston in an hour with them. I don’t like being kept waiting; you do know the devils are impossible to control.'

As her eyes scan the message, she could feel Evelyn’s chilling gaze on her, Taylor began searching for the perfect lie to cover up but Evelyn did not ask any questions which set her mind at ease. Honestly, she did not owe the girl any explanation. She should even hate her for taking her boyfriend from her.

“Are you expected somewhere? The doctor said you can go home if you want to but he would recommend you rest a little while longer" Evelyn spoke up. Taylor nodded, she still didn’t see the reason why Evelyn came into her room. A nurse could have been sent to do justice to that information. It was beginning to get uncomfortable with just two of them being in the same room.

“Stop looking at me so suspiciously “ Evelyn demanded.

“You are acting so suspiciously” Taylor replied immediately.

Evelyn smiled slightly, Taylor was sure she could not fully smile because of how delicate she looked. Well she had been kissing Justin so deliciously a while ago, the lips sure was put to good use.

“You are the one behaving suspicious not me, why did you feel the need to snatch up your phone like that?” Evelyn accused, fixing Taylor with her steady gaze.

“What I do with my phone is my business” Taylor barked getting pissed, Evelyn didn’t bulge though. “You are right, what you do is your business. I was going to let you be the first person to know about a major national secret but your reaction is telling me you have a secret of your own”.

Taylor was having none of it “ I think you are done with what you came for, the door is that way” She gesticulated towards the door in anger.

Rather than leaving, Evelyn broke her news “Justin and I are getting married”.

Taylor was stunned for a minute, but soon recovered. She quickly masked her expression; Justin might have once been her whole life, but now her whole life was on its way to Houston with Mandy. She should be with them not in the hospital room to listen to Evelyn gloat. As if reading her thoughts, Evelyn said “I am not hear to boast”, she said calmly looking at Taylor, she made to touch Taylor’s hands but Taylor jerked it away from her reach.

“Why are you here then? Surely you do not want me to be on your bridal train on your wedding day..." she said sarcastically giving Evelyn a sadistic look.

“No, Taylor” Evelyn answered

“Then why the hell are you here, or do you want some accolades from me?”

Taylor looked at Evelyn to find that the pretty blond was crying, tears had pooled up at her eyes. “I don’t know what you are going to do once I tell you this, but I want you to make me a wish” Evelyn said.

“Why the hell would I grant you a wish, do I look like a freaking santa claus? “ Taylor asked getting agitated at Evelyn’s behavior and where was Justin she thought. If anyone should come in they might think she was saying hurtful things to her which made her cry, the situation could be easily misunderstood. Though she had harassed the girl in times past, she was past that now, she needed to get her to either calm down or get her out of the room for good, before the nurses made their round check. Her reputation would put her at a disadvantage if they were found like this, she made to get up from the bed, she had just swung her legs to the floor when Evelyn spoke up.

“I have leukemia, third stage, I stopped responding to treatment two years ago. The doctor said it could kick in any moment from now, the last checkup I had last week, the doctor said I have just three months left."