Tashia held an envelope tightly in her hand, hesitating. It contained something important—something Sharlene needed to confront. The legal case couldn't be ignored anymore, especially after the recent argument.
They had to face the consequences.
Her class had just ended, and instead of heading home, she made her way to the hospital. It was her turn to watch over Ashley, and Vivianne had gone home earlier that day.
"Tashia," a familiar voice called behind her.
She turned around. "Sorry, I took a while. I just picked up a few things. Have you eaten yet?" Sharlene asked gently.
Tashia didn't answer. Instead, she silently took the bags from her sister and helped her carry them. Tomorrow, she'd go home for a much-needed rest. Right now, she just wanted to focus on Ashley.
As they sat down, Tashia turned toward Sharlene and quietly handed her the envelope.
Sharlene took it without a word. Her eyes narrowed as she opened it, scanning the contents. A lawyer had signed off on the case. Beside her, Sharlene's breath hitched, and then she quickly hid the papers.
"Sis," Tashia spoke softly.
"Leave it," Sharlene replied firmly. "I don't have time to deal with them. Let them be. My focus is on my child."
Tashia frowned. "But you should be the one filing a case against them, right?"
Sharlene just gave her a tired glance and sighed. "I already told you—I don't have the time."
"I know you received the divorce papers," Tashia added cautiously.
Sharlene chuckled bitterly. "Yes. They've made their choice, and so have I. But like I said, I'm done with them."
Tashia simply nodded, though something was still weighing on her.
Should I tell her? The question echoed in her mind. Sharlene handed her some food and a drink. Tashia accepted it, though her thoughts were elsewhere.
Would she even believe me?
She hadn't told Vivianne about what she'd seen before—and the strange vision that kept returning: a vision of herself imprisoned.
"Tashia," Sharlene's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
She looked up.
"I know Grandma Felicia used to see things others couldn't. She made a living out of it in her younger years. Do you… know anything about her past?" Sharlene asked cautiously.
Tashia stiffened. Her scalp tingled.
She looked down at her food, then slowly nodded. "Back before Mom and Dad split up, we relied on Grandma's abilities. She supported us with them. Eventually, they drifted apart, and you stayed with Grandma."
Sharlene rubbed her forehead and sighed. "I remember… something. But it's all fragmented."
"Why are you asking?" Tashia asked.
"Nothing," Sharlene said. "But… do you have abilities like Grandma, Tashia?"
Tashia's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Do you see visions? Glimpses of the past?" Sharlene pressed gently.
Tashia felt a chill run through her. Her skin broke out in goosebumps.
"Sorry," Sharlene said quickly. "That was too direct."
"No, it's okay. But… do you see anything, Sis?" Tashia countered, watching her closely.
"I do. Sometimes," Sharlene admitted. "I don't understand all of it, but I know it's real. And I believe this is all connected—to Grandma, to Leah, to Ashley."
She clenched her fists. "We ignored the warning signs about Ashley… I should've listened."
Tashia swallowed hard. "You saw her in a hospital gown before the accident, didn't you?"
Sharlene nodded. Her eyes widened. She covered her mouth. "You saw it too?"
Tashia nodded slowly. "Yes. And now I keep thinking… maybe we could've prevented it."
"I keep dreaming about a woman," Sharlene added. "Her name… the name I always remember is Leah."
Tashia's pulse quickened. "Was she wearing a mourning dress?"
Sharlene hesitated. "Yes. I saw her after Grandma died."
A sudden chill filled the room. Tashia shivered.
She had to tell her. Everything.
"Do you think… you're the one Grandma was waiting for?" she asked.
Sharlene gave her a serious nod. "I'm going to find out the truth. The link between Ashley's soul and that woman—it's Leah."
"But… how do we bring Ashley back?" Tashia asked, her voice breaking.
"I don't know. But I know I'm the key to freeing Grandma. And Leah… Leah is the same woman in the mourning dress," Sharlene said, her voice resolute.
Key. That word struck Tashia again. The woman in her vision had said the same thing.
There were too many things they didn't know. Too many buried truths about Grandma Felicia's life. Sharlene didn't remember much, despite being raised by her.
"I'll find a way," Sharlene said firmly. "I can see the past… I just don't know when it'll take me back."
Tashia looked at her and saw determination burning in her sister's eyes.
She let out a deep breath. She needed to talk to Vivianne too. They couldn't face this alone.
But before she could say anything else, her head throbbed. The stress was mounting—between Ashley's condition, the visions, and the unspoken truths.
Tashia looked at the apparatus attached to Ashley's fragile body.
They were running out of time.