Share

Familiar Strangers

Author: AALIYAH
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-02 23:59:28

Carla’s POV

I did an all night shift at the hospital and Aunt Stephanie was supposed to take over from me as early as 8 am the following morning but due to an unexpected incident that happened, she couldn’t make it to the hospital on time.

I had planned to leave the hospital early and head home to freshen up and take a nap before going to pick Amelia up at the airport but all that did not go as planned due to Aunt Stephanie’s lateness.

After handing over to Aunt Stephanie, I drove straight away to the airport as it was almost close to Amelia’s arrival time. I had to sacrifice my sleep so I wouldn’t keep Amelia waiting.

Halfway to my destination, I received a call from Aunt Stephanie - a call that disrupted my plan and at the same time, filled my heart with joy.

“Carla, where are you? Hope you haven’t driven too far away from the hospital?” she asked upon me picking the call. Her voice was filled with excitement, which made me wonder what was going on.

“Not really. Is anything the prob
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Related chapters

  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   The Weight of Reality

    Carla’s POV Weakened by the news, I dragged my feeble legs out of the doctor’s office to Catherine’s ward. I couldn’t bring myself to enter her ward as I feared breaking down in front of her. I sat on the chair placed opposite her ward; my face buried in my palms as I thought about how worsened everything was getting. I was still trying to cope with the fact that she won’t be able to walk again and now this? “She still doesn’t know that she can’t walk again. How will she react if she does? Will she receive the news well?” I thought, worried about Catherine’s reaction to the news. The other time when she had gone for the test, she was moved from the bed onto the wheelchair by the Nurses. She had thought that was because she was sick, not knowing it was because she couldn’t use her legs anymore. I thought of hiding the fact away from her but when I realized she would eventually get to know, I decided to tell her myself. The question that now lingered in my mind was: “How will

    Last Updated : 2025-03-03
  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   An Unexpected Proposal

    Carla’s POV Just as she was about stabbing herself, Carlos walked in, saving the day. The moment Catherine saw him, the knife slipped from her grasp, clattering loudly against the cold tiles. She was so overjoyed by Carlos’ presence that she couldn’t wait for him to move close to her. She tried getting up from the bed to throw herself in Carlos’ arms, momentarily forgetting about the condition of her legs. She fell onto the ground, yelling in pain. As Aunt Stephanie, Aurora and I moved towards her to help her up, Carlos just stood frozen on the point, confusion hitched on his face. We helped Catherine up onto the bed, while she continued to whine in pain. Catherine’s gaze travelled to Charles, who didn’t move an inch. “See, he didn’t even try to help me up. He doesn’t love me again!!” Catherine lamented, as she sobbed the more. “Just let me die!!! Leave me to die” she yelled, trying to hurt herself but Aunt Stephanie and Aurora pinned her hands to the bed, preventing her f

    Last Updated : 2025-03-05
  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   The Choice Between Love and Loyalty

    Carla’s POV I was too shocked to realize that everyone else in the room was staring at me. The sound of my phone falling had diverted their attention to me.“Marry her? Where is that coming from? Why would she ask for that the moment she woke up?” I wondered, struggling to steady my breathing. My gaze met Carlos’, his eyes silently pleading for rescue. He looked cornered, unsure of how to respond to Catherine’s request. “Either he accepts, and we become co-wives, or he refuses, and she does the unthinkable,” I thought, torn between the two choices. Silence consumed the room, as if the world had come to a halt for a few seconds. “Carlos, why aren’t you responding? Don’t you want to marry me? Is it because I am crippled?” Catherine’s heavy-hearted voice interrupted the silence, making the room lively once again. Her eyes were laced with tears, as she heartbrokenly stared at Carlos. “No, my love. That’s .... not it. It’s just that .........” Carlos’ shaky voice said stammering, un

    Last Updated : 2025-03-06
  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   When the Past Strikes Back

    Carla’s POV “What do you mean, her? Have you been cheating on me with her even before my accident? Have you?!!!” Catherine yelled in frustration; her voice laced with accusation. By that time, I had already turned around to face them. “Cheat on you?” Carlos scoffed, releasing her hands as he stood abruptly. “I never cheated on you—but you did. Do you even know what you did to her? To your own sister?” Carlos’ voice was filled with anger, the forced smile he had worn earlier vanishing in an instant. I knew exactly where Carlos was headed—he was about to expose everything. But the truth could break Catherine. It could make her hate herself, or worse, drive her to harm herself. “Carlos, don’t,” I warned, stepping closer to him. “I shouldn’t? Why do we have to keep lying to her? Let’s tell her the truth so everyone can finally be at ease. She needs to stop making these ridiculous demands! I am fucking tired of this pretense. Her touch alone disgusts me.” Carlos’ voice dripped with

    Last Updated : 2025-03-07
  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   Silent Wounds

    Carla’s POV “Why did you do that? I thought we both agreed on sticking to the plan. Why did you have to tell her the bitter truth?” I asked Carlos, who was seated beside me on the bench, which was outside Carla’s ward. I was furious about what he did and was ready to lash out at him. At the same time, I feared what Catherine would do after finding out the truth. “Firstly, I never agreed with you on deceiving her and secondly, how do you expect me to hurt you again when I had done that before?” he replied, his dazzling eyes piercing into mine. “I know you are hurting, and you are just pretending to be okay. I have hurt you because of that woman before and you want me to do that again?” he asked, pointing in the direction of Catherine’s room. His pitch was somehow high, as if he was angry with me due to my decision but he was trying not to make it noticeable. “Babe, I know you are worried about her, but I can assure you that she will be fine. You don’t have to keep sacrifi

    Last Updated : 2025-03-08
  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   That One Call

    Carla’s POV. I stared blankly at the soul, which was lying on the bed before me, feeling tired of everything. I wondered what I had done to deserve that kind of life – the life where I will be happy now and the next minute, my happiness will turn into sadness. I was tired – frustrated by everything. I wanted to run away, to yell at Catherine to stop throwing tantrums but I couldn’t bring myself to abandon her. I remembered how I had driven crazily to the hospital after receiving that call. “She slit her wrist as soon as she woke, obviously with the intention of killing herself. For now, I will advise we all keep our eyes on her. She shouldn’t be left alone at any point in time” the doctor’s words rang in my head. That was the time she needed me the most, and I was ready to stick to her side no matter what. Amelia and I stayed with her all through the night, watching over her and waiting for her to wake up. Eventually, she did. “Catherine, are you okay?” I anxiously asked

    Last Updated : 2025-03-11
  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   Whispers of the Dead - A Fatal Feast

    Carla’s POV I was staring at her lifeless body, which was laid on a stretcher, in the holding room. I had run to the hospital thinking the Detective was wrong – thinking he had mistaken someone else for Amelia. “Amelia can’t be dead. She isn’t the one” I had assured myself as I drove to the hospital, being optimistic. But seeing her lying there, cold and motionless, I knew I had hit rock bottom. There was no way for me to deny reality anymore. The heavy weight of the truth and reality made me shiver under the hot weather. My legs trembled and I saw myself collapsing onto the floor, tears slowly rolling out of my clouded eyes. When I realized my only confidant was gone, the fear of being alone gripped me. “She was the only one who stood by me – the one who reassured me that everything would be okay. She fought for me when I couldn’t stand up for myself. Then, why wasn’t I there when she needed me the most? I haven’t even reciprocated half of the love she showed me. So, how co

    Last Updated : 2025-03-13
  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   In the Wake of Death

    Carla’s POV “I am sorry, but we lost them” the doctor announced, each word dragged as he let out a heavy breath. “Lost them? What does that mean?” I thought, staring at the doctor blankly. “What do you mean by lost them? They just had stomachache and bleeding noses. So, how could they have died from that?” Carlos’ trembling, yet loud voice asked. He was anxious but tried his best to be as calm as he could be. “Those signs they showed before giving up, could be likened to food poison, but we can’t be certain until we conduct an autopsy on them. I am sorry for your loss, Mr. Carlos” the doctor sympathized, before excusing himself. I couldn’t talk .... couldn’t move. I just stood still, giving my brain enough time to process what was going on. “Died? How could they be dead? People that I was with at the dining table a few minutes ago. He must not know what he is talking about” I mulled over, scoffing before bursting out into laughter. I was in denial – vehemently believing tha

    Last Updated : 2025-03-15

Latest chapter

  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   In the Wake of Death

    Carla’s POV “I am sorry, but we lost them” the doctor announced, each word dragged as he let out a heavy breath. “Lost them? What does that mean?” I thought, staring at the doctor blankly. “What do you mean by lost them? They just had stomachache and bleeding noses. So, how could they have died from that?” Carlos’ trembling, yet loud voice asked. He was anxious but tried his best to be as calm as he could be. “Those signs they showed before giving up, could be likened to food poison, but we can’t be certain until we conduct an autopsy on them. I am sorry for your loss, Mr. Carlos” the doctor sympathized, before excusing himself. I couldn’t talk .... couldn’t move. I just stood still, giving my brain enough time to process what was going on. “Died? How could they be dead? People that I was with at the dining table a few minutes ago. He must not know what he is talking about” I mulled over, scoffing before bursting out into laughter. I was in denial – vehemently believing tha

  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   Whispers of the Dead - A Fatal Feast

    Carla’s POV I was staring at her lifeless body, which was laid on a stretcher, in the holding room. I had run to the hospital thinking the Detective was wrong – thinking he had mistaken someone else for Amelia. “Amelia can’t be dead. She isn’t the one” I had assured myself as I drove to the hospital, being optimistic. But seeing her lying there, cold and motionless, I knew I had hit rock bottom. There was no way for me to deny reality anymore. The heavy weight of the truth and reality made me shiver under the hot weather. My legs trembled and I saw myself collapsing onto the floor, tears slowly rolling out of my clouded eyes. When I realized my only confidant was gone, the fear of being alone gripped me. “She was the only one who stood by me – the one who reassured me that everything would be okay. She fought for me when I couldn’t stand up for myself. Then, why wasn’t I there when she needed me the most? I haven’t even reciprocated half of the love she showed me. So, how co

  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   That One Call

    Carla’s POV. I stared blankly at the soul, which was lying on the bed before me, feeling tired of everything. I wondered what I had done to deserve that kind of life – the life where I will be happy now and the next minute, my happiness will turn into sadness. I was tired – frustrated by everything. I wanted to run away, to yell at Catherine to stop throwing tantrums but I couldn’t bring myself to abandon her. I remembered how I had driven crazily to the hospital after receiving that call. “She slit her wrist as soon as she woke, obviously with the intention of killing herself. For now, I will advise we all keep our eyes on her. She shouldn’t be left alone at any point in time” the doctor’s words rang in my head. That was the time she needed me the most, and I was ready to stick to her side no matter what. Amelia and I stayed with her all through the night, watching over her and waiting for her to wake up. Eventually, she did. “Catherine, are you okay?” I anxiously asked

  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   Silent Wounds

    Carla’s POV “Why did you do that? I thought we both agreed on sticking to the plan. Why did you have to tell her the bitter truth?” I asked Carlos, who was seated beside me on the bench, which was outside Carla’s ward. I was furious about what he did and was ready to lash out at him. At the same time, I feared what Catherine would do after finding out the truth. “Firstly, I never agreed with you on deceiving her and secondly, how do you expect me to hurt you again when I had done that before?” he replied, his dazzling eyes piercing into mine. “I know you are hurting, and you are just pretending to be okay. I have hurt you because of that woman before and you want me to do that again?” he asked, pointing in the direction of Catherine’s room. His pitch was somehow high, as if he was angry with me due to my decision but he was trying not to make it noticeable. “Babe, I know you are worried about her, but I can assure you that she will be fine. You don’t have to keep sacrifi

  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   When the Past Strikes Back

    Carla’s POV “What do you mean, her? Have you been cheating on me with her even before my accident? Have you?!!!” Catherine yelled in frustration; her voice laced with accusation. By that time, I had already turned around to face them. “Cheat on you?” Carlos scoffed, releasing her hands as he stood abruptly. “I never cheated on you—but you did. Do you even know what you did to her? To your own sister?” Carlos’ voice was filled with anger, the forced smile he had worn earlier vanishing in an instant. I knew exactly where Carlos was headed—he was about to expose everything. But the truth could break Catherine. It could make her hate herself, or worse, drive her to harm herself. “Carlos, don’t,” I warned, stepping closer to him. “I shouldn’t? Why do we have to keep lying to her? Let’s tell her the truth so everyone can finally be at ease. She needs to stop making these ridiculous demands! I am fucking tired of this pretense. Her touch alone disgusts me.” Carlos’ voice dripped with

  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   The Choice Between Love and Loyalty

    Carla’s POV I was too shocked to realize that everyone else in the room was staring at me. The sound of my phone falling had diverted their attention to me.“Marry her? Where is that coming from? Why would she ask for that the moment she woke up?” I wondered, struggling to steady my breathing. My gaze met Carlos’, his eyes silently pleading for rescue. He looked cornered, unsure of how to respond to Catherine’s request. “Either he accepts, and we become co-wives, or he refuses, and she does the unthinkable,” I thought, torn between the two choices. Silence consumed the room, as if the world had come to a halt for a few seconds. “Carlos, why aren’t you responding? Don’t you want to marry me? Is it because I am crippled?” Catherine’s heavy-hearted voice interrupted the silence, making the room lively once again. Her eyes were laced with tears, as she heartbrokenly stared at Carlos. “No, my love. That’s .... not it. It’s just that .........” Carlos’ shaky voice said stammering, un

  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   An Unexpected Proposal

    Carla’s POV Just as she was about stabbing herself, Carlos walked in, saving the day. The moment Catherine saw him, the knife slipped from her grasp, clattering loudly against the cold tiles. She was so overjoyed by Carlos’ presence that she couldn’t wait for him to move close to her. She tried getting up from the bed to throw herself in Carlos’ arms, momentarily forgetting about the condition of her legs. She fell onto the ground, yelling in pain. As Aunt Stephanie, Aurora and I moved towards her to help her up, Carlos just stood frozen on the point, confusion hitched on his face. We helped Catherine up onto the bed, while she continued to whine in pain. Catherine’s gaze travelled to Charles, who didn’t move an inch. “See, he didn’t even try to help me up. He doesn’t love me again!!” Catherine lamented, as she sobbed the more. “Just let me die!!! Leave me to die” she yelled, trying to hurt herself but Aunt Stephanie and Aurora pinned her hands to the bed, preventing her f

  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   The Weight of Reality

    Carla’s POV Weakened by the news, I dragged my feeble legs out of the doctor’s office to Catherine’s ward. I couldn’t bring myself to enter her ward as I feared breaking down in front of her. I sat on the chair placed opposite her ward; my face buried in my palms as I thought about how worsened everything was getting. I was still trying to cope with the fact that she won’t be able to walk again and now this? “She still doesn’t know that she can’t walk again. How will she react if she does? Will she receive the news well?” I thought, worried about Catherine’s reaction to the news. The other time when she had gone for the test, she was moved from the bed onto the wheelchair by the Nurses. She had thought that was because she was sick, not knowing it was because she couldn’t use her legs anymore. I thought of hiding the fact away from her but when I realized she would eventually get to know, I decided to tell her myself. The question that now lingered in my mind was: “How will

  • HELLO SINNERS, IT'S TIME FOR RECKONING   Familiar Strangers

    Carla’s POVI did an all night shift at the hospital and Aunt Stephanie was supposed to take over from me as early as 8 am the following morning but due to an unexpected incident that happened, she couldn’t make it to the hospital on time.I had planned to leave the hospital early and head home to freshen up and take a nap before going to pick Amelia up at the airport but all that did not go as planned due to Aunt Stephanie’s lateness.After handing over to Aunt Stephanie, I drove straight away to the airport as it was almost close to Amelia’s arrival time. I had to sacrifice my sleep so I wouldn’t keep Amelia waiting.Halfway to my destination, I received a call from Aunt Stephanie - a call that disrupted my plan and at the same time, filled my heart with joy.“Carla, where are you? Hope you haven’t driven too far away from the hospital?” she asked upon me picking the call. Her voice was filled with excitement, which made me wonder what was going on.“Not really. Is anything the prob

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status