Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Nadine woke up to the soft morning light filtering through her curtains, casting a warm glow across her room. Her head no longer throbbed, and the fever that had once consumed her had faded, leaving her feeling surprisingly refreshed. She flexed her arm and noticed the faint outline of a bandage where the IV needle had been. The reminder of yesterday's ordeal made her sigh, a mixture of relief and embarrassment flooding her thoughts.

As she propped herself up against the headboard, savoring the quiet moment, a gentle knock at the door disrupted her peace. Assuming it was one of the house helpers, she called out, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and instead of a house helper, Lia's familiar face peeked through. "Surprise!" she said, her grin wide and full of mischief.

"Lia?!" Nadine gasped, her eyes widening as disbelief and joy collided in her expression.

Lia didn't hesitate. She strode across the room and wrapped Nadine in a tight embrace. "God, you scared me," she whispered, her voice tinged with relief. "Don't ever do that again."

The moment their arms encircled each other, Nadine's carefully constructed walls crumbled. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she clung to her best friend, her quiet sobs heavy with unspoken fears and frustrations. Lia's presence was like a balm, soothing wounds Nadine didn't even know she carried.

Lia stroked her back gently, murmuring reassurances. "It's okay, Nadine. Let it out. I'm here."

When Nadine finally pulled away, she wiped at her tear-streaked face, her voice trembling with emotion. "You came back early. Why? I thought you weren't returning until next week."

Lia crossed her arms, her expression a mix of exasperation and affection. "You didn't answer my calls for two days. Two days, Nadine! Of course, I called your brother. And when Liam told me you fainted at your engagement party, I booked the first flight back."

Nadine groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Please don't remind me. That was humiliating."

Lia laughed softly, pulling Nadine's hands away from her face. "Humiliating? Nadine, you collapsed in front of everyone! Do you know how terrified Liam sounded when he told me? And don't get me started on Simon. He practically shoved me onto the plane himself."

At the mention of Simon, Nadine's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Typical Simon," she murmured.

"Typical Simon," Lia agreed, her tone fond. "But this isn't about him—it's about you. How could you keep all this from me? I thought we promised no secrets!"

"I wasn't trying to keep secrets," Nadine said quietly, her gaze dropping to her lap. "I thought it was just a family dinner. I didn't even know about the engagement announcement until it happened. And I didn't want to ruin your holiday."

"Ruin my holiday? Nadine, come on," Lia said, exasperated. She took Nadine's hands in hers, squeezing them gently. "You're my best friend. You're family. If you're struggling, I need to know. And clearly, you've been struggling."

Nadine's shoulders sagged under the weight of Lia's words. "It's just... a lot. Coming back here, dealing with my mother, all these expectations... I feel like I can't breathe."

Lia moved to sit beside her on the bed, her expression softening. "I know it's overwhelming. But you're not alone in this, Nadine. I'm here. Always."

For the first time in days, Nadine allowed herself to truly believe that. She looked up at Lia, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you. For everything."

Lia's smile turned playful. "Don't thank me yet. I'm about to give you another reason to cry." She reached for the gift bag she had brought, pulling out a box of Nadine's favorite pastries and a vibrant bouquet of flowers. "Ta-da!"

Nadine blinked, her lips parting in surprise. "You didn't have to..."

"Of course I did," Lia said, grinning. "And don't even try to deny it—your mood depends entirely on good pastries."

Despite herself, Nadine laughed, a sound that felt foreign after days of tension. She accepted the gifts, her chest tightening with emotion. "You're the best, you know that?"

"I do," Lia said with a wink. "Now, spill. What's been going on? Don't leave out a single detail."

As Nadine recounted the events of the past few days—from her mother's icy demeanor to the whirlwind engagement announcement—she felt the heaviness in her chest begin to lift. Lia listened intently, her occasional jokes and dramatic reactions drawing laughter from Nadine in spite of everything.

By the time they finished, the room felt brighter, the air lighter. Lia's visit was a reminder that even in the darkest moments, Nadine wasn't alone.

As Lia stood to leave, she gave Nadine one last hug. "Promise me something?"

"Anything," Nadine replied.

"If it ever gets too much, you'll call me. No more shutting me out."

"I promise," Nadine said, meaning every word.

After Lia left, Nadine sat on the edge of her bed, holding the bouquet of flowers close to her chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, hope flickered in her heart. Maybe she could face whatever lay ahead. Maybe, with Lia by her side, she wasn't as alone as she thought.