Unraveling Threads

Sheila was stunned by the nurse's words.

"Raymundo tried to strangle himself last night."

"Is he… Is he okay?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of shock and concern.

"Yes, Ma'am. For now, he has calmed down again. He claimed someone entered his room and tried to strangle him," the nurse explained.

Sheila nodded silently and thanked her before walking toward the guards posted outside Raymundo's room.

"Did any of you notice anything last night?" she asked.

The guards exchanged uncertain looks.

"No, Ma'am. The room was quiet. We were just surprised when the nurse said Boss was choking himself."

"Are you sure no one entered? Were you perhaps asleep?" she repeated, her gaze sharp.

They all shook their heads in denial.

Choking himself? A woman? The thought echoed in Sheila's mind. She shook her head and entered the room.

Raymundo lay unconscious, an oxygen mask strapped to his face. His earlier act of self-suffocation had left him in critical condition.

Maybe this is my way out. Please… don't wake up. She prayed silently.

She leaned in closer. Despite the oxygen, she could hear him mumbling. She focused, trying to decipher his words.

"…Leah… Carmela…"

Sheila's body stiffened. Goosebumps crawled up her skin. Her mind instantly flashed to that night—when she was taken into darkness and saw her sister.

I don't want to go back there.

She noticed Raymundo's breathing turning labored, heavy, and desperate. Panic gripped her.

Should I call the nurse? Or… let him die? Her thoughts wrestled.

If you don't help, they'll suspect you. Do you want to end up in jail, Sheila? Her instincts kicked in. She rushed to the door.

"Call the nurse—now!" She barked at the guard, who snapped into action and alerted the nurse's station.

A nurse rushed in and immediately began working on reviving Raymundo.

Sheila's hands trembled as she pulled out her phone. She dialed Martin. Thankfully, he answered right away.

"Can you come to the hospital, please?" Her voice softened, almost pleading.

"What happened? Are you alright?" Martin asked, alarmed.

"I'm fine. But Dad had an attack. Please, can you come?"

"I'll be there." He didn't hesitate.

After ending the call, she peered into the room again. Raymundo was being stabilized. Then she saw her—a woman standing by the bed.

Leah? N—No, it can't be. She blinked hard.

Are you happy now, Sheila? A whisper drifted behind her.

She froze. She dared not look. She knew if she did, she might scream.

She focused on Raymundo again. Thankfully, the nurse managed to regulate his pulse and heart rate just in time.

Aww, are you disappointed? Leah's voice whispered again, taunting.

Leave. I don't need you right now! Get out! she chanted in her mind.

"Sheila," a voice called as an arm wrapped around her.

"Martin." She turned and hugged him tightly.

As she looked back into the room, she saw Leah smiling at her and signaling her to keep quiet.

Martin gently rubbed her back while nurses continued adjusting Raymundo's monitors.

"Tito seemed fine when I visited last. What happened?" he asked.

Sheila hesitated, then sighed. "The nurse and doctor said he got stressed. It led to a nervous attack."

"Why? He doesn't like hospitals?" Martin probed gently.

"It's not that. Every time he sleeps, he dreams about his daughter. He calls her name constantly."

Martin nodded sympathetically. "Maybe he just misses her so much."

Sheila nodded again.

"Don't worry. Tito will recover. You just need to stay strong." He hugged her once more.

"Thank you… for being here," she whispered.

"Of course. I'm here for you," he replied with a warm smile.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated. She glanced at it.

Justine Madrigal.

"Attorney Justine Madrigal is calling," Martin commented.

A knot tightened in her stomach. She was about to explain when Martin spoke again.

"Go ahead and answer it. Maybe it's about the case or the divorce papers."

"Y—Yeah, maybe," she replied nervously and stepped away.

"Justine," she answered in a low voice.

"I'm heading up. I'll meet you at the hospital," Justine said firmly.

"W—What? No! Martin's here!" She whispered frantically.

"I'm already in the elevator," he said.

"Don't come yet!" she begged.

"Hon?" Martin called behind her.

She turned, forcing a smile. "Y—Yeah, hon. Just a minute."

"Alright," she whispered back to Justine. "Don't come—"

"But I'm already here."

"Oh, is that Mr. Madrigal?" Martin said, spotting the man stepping out of the elevator—holding flowers.

Justine waved. She quickly ended the call.

Her heart raced.

"Good evening, Mr. Francisco," Justine greeted politely.

"Who are the flowers for?" Martin asked, eyeing the bouquet.

Justine glanced at Sheila. "Ah—Miss Atienza asked me to buy these for her dad."

Martin frowned. "He knows your dad?" he asked Sheila.

What are you doing, Justine? I told you only Martin knows about Daddy! She screamed internally.

"Oh, Miss Atienza once shared a story about her father figure. I remembered it since she's my client," Justine added smoothly.

"Right, hon. I'll put the flowers away later," she said, nervously playing along.

"I'll just go buy some cigarettes. Be right back," Martin excused himself.

"Y—Yeah…" Sheila exhaled the moment he left.

As Martin walked toward the elevator, Sheila turned on Justine.

"What are you doing?! We almost got caught if you hadn't made up that excuse!"

"I'm sorry. I just missed my sweetheart," Justine whispered, grinning.

He leaned in for a kiss, and she let him. "Come on, or Martin might catch us," she said with a nervous laugh.

Justine nodded—then froze. Martin was back, standing by the elevator, watching them.

Cold fear washed over her.

Sheila swallowed hard as Justine turned, also seeing Martin's expression.

"You're back already?" Justine asked casually.

Martin's voice was cold. "Yeah. Sheila, can you explain what I just saw?"