My eyes were drowsy but I managed to stand up. I put on a thick robe due to the cold before walking towards the door.
"Diana.." I called out in surprise when I saw her standing in front of me. I thought she had traveled with Liam's father for their wedding anniversary.
What is she doing here?
Diana's cheery smile vanished immediately she noticed the state I was in.
"What's wrong Avery??" She touched my forehead.
"You have a fever!!" She exclaimed, her voice laced with concern and worry.
She let herself in and pulled me with her, shutting the door behind her.
"How could someone as strong a you be this sick?" She asked as she laid me back on my bed.
"It's nothing.. I can take care of myself." I tried to assure her. I didn't want her to be more worried than she already is due to my issues with her son.
I know she has a lot to say as she practically left her vacation to come see me the moment news of my engagements dissolution with Liam went public.
"It's not nothing.. you're burning up!!" She covered me up with the duvet and left the room.
She came back a few seconds later with a bowl of water and a small towel. She put the towel in the water before placing it on my head. I shivered when I felt the cold water on my skin.
"Sorry.. it's to reduce the heat." She assured. I bit down on my tongue to help me stop shivering as I let her continue with what she was doing.
After a wiping for a while, she touched my forehead again but her worry still didn't leave.
"This isn't good." She muttered, then stood up and picked up her purse.
She pulled out her phone before dialing a number. It was the family doctor and she called him here to examine me.
A few minutes later, the doorbell was rang again. I was about to get up to answer it but she made me rest back on the bed.
"I'll get it." She muttered before leaving.
Then, she came back with a man I presume to be the doctor. The man checked up on me and prescribed some drugs before he left.
All through, Diana's concerned eyes never left my figure. She made sure to take good care of me and cater for my needs. She even cooked for me.
As she ran around to help with whatever I needed, I couldn't help but feel sad, apologetic and guilty for what I've done.
In all my life as the Emerson's daughter, she's the only one that had ever bothered to take up the mother role in my life. Even now that I've broken off my engagement with her son, she still cared for me more than my mother ever has.
She didn't ask a question nor berate me for me decision to let go of her son and it only made me feel even more guilty.
I love her, I love her so much and I wish things were better. I had always dreamt of being her real daughter after getting married to Liam but it seems like it would only be a wishful thinking.
Even though I know how heartbreaking it would be for her, I have to let go of her son for my future. Just her love isn't going to be enough if I have to spend the rest of my life with someone who has eyes for another.
I know that makes me selfish but I need to put myself first in a situation like this.
"I'm so sorry." I whispered, my eyes tearing up. Diana's eyes softened and she moved to sit on the bed, close to me
She held my palm in hers; "You don't need to apologize. I understand how hard things must have been for you to call off the engagement with Liam. He must have really hurt you."
Ahh... it's going to be really hard for me to let go of her. If she had hated me for my decision, it would have been much better. My eyes became blurry as more tears gathered there.
"No need to cry." She gently caressed my cheek.
"I'll handle everything but I also hope you'll reconsider you decision to let go of Liam. I know how much you love him and I don't want you to have any regrets later due to impulsiveness." She cajoled.
If only Diana.. if only the love I have for him was enough, I wouldn't have taken this path.
"Rest up and let me handle the rest." She muttered in a soft tone as she gently caressed my face, making it hard for me to stay awake.
In my drowsy state, I felt her hands leave mine and I heard her hushed but harsh voice as she talked to someone.
"What else you waiting for? Do you know what state she's in??"
"Come here now before I lose my patience with you!!"
"This is your last chance if you don't want to lose her forever!!" Is she talking to Liam???
Even though I tried so hard to stay awake to listen to the rest, I couldn't because I was so tired. Then, the sleep took over.
TBC