Chapter 71

ALISHA'S POV

I could hear Richard’s footsteps following behind the nurses as they led me through the corridors. I had been unconscious for a while, or at least pretending to be.

When I opened my eyes, I could see Richard trailing behind, his expression torn between worry and disbelief. He had no idea what was really going on.

“Wait outside, please,” one of the nurses, Bella, said firmly as they reached the hospital ward. “We’ll take care of her from here.”

Richard hesitated, his eyes darting between Bella and me. “But I…” I could see his face because I had opened my eyes slightly and someone wouldn't know that my eyes were opened.

“Just wait outside,” Bella repeated, her voice cold but polite. “It’s best if you don’t disturb her. We’ll call you when she’s settled.”

Richard sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Okay,” he said reluctantly, and I could see him step back, his gaze still on me for a moment before the door clicked shut.

I exhaled slowly, feeling the tension leave my body as I relaxed. The nurses were quick to act. Ella and Bella moved in expertly, closing the door behind them.

I could hear them talking softly, but I couldn’t make out the words. My eyes were closed again, but I was listening carefully.

Bella walked over to the window, making sure it was tightly shut. She glanced at Ella, and the two of them exchanged a silent agreement. They both turned their attention to me.

Ella leaned down, her voice barely a whisper. “It’s just the three of us here now. You can relax and open your eyes.”

I nodded slightly, careful not to move too much. I could feel the coolness of the hospital sheets beneath me, but I was far from being in any real pain. The nurses had set everything up perfectly.

Ella moved to my side, her hands gentle but efficient as she began to apply the fake bandages.

The pressure on my leg wasn’t real,it was just the weight of the fake bandages and the carefully placed cotton that made it feel that way and look real. She worked quickly, her fingers skilled as she wrapped the cloth around my leg.

I couldn’t help but watch them as they worked. Bella stood nearby, holding a small bottle of nail polish. It was red, but not just any red. It was the kind of red that looked exactly like blood.

Bella dipped a cotton swab into the polish and gently applied it to my forehead, making it look as though I had a deep gash.

The red polish smeared slightly as she pressed it into my skin, creating a perfect illusion of an injury.

The nurses were pros. They had done this kind of thing before, I could tell. The bandages were tight, and the nail polish made everything look so real.

My body was a canvas for their work, and they were the artists, crafting a believable scene that would make Richard think I was seriously hurt.

As they finished up, I lay back in the bed, pretending to be completely exhausted. My eyes fluttered open just a little, and I stared up at the ceiling, my expression blank.

I needed to look like I was barely holding on, that I was in pain, but not enough to scream. It had to be subtle, just enough for Richard to believe it.

“Is she going to be okay?” Richard’s voice came from the other side of the door, sounding unsure.

I heard Ella’s footsteps approaching the door. She opened it slightly, her voice calm. “You can come in now.”

Richard stepped into the room, his face full of worry. His eyes immediately found me, lying in the bed.

His gaze softened, and I could see the guilt in his eyes. I was the woman he had hit with his car, the woman who was supposed to be badly injured. But in reality, I wasn’t hurt at all.

I kept my gaze fixed on the ceiling, barely acknowledging his presence. I had to stay in character. He needed to believe the act.

“How is she?” Richard asked, his voice tinged with concern as he approached the bed.

“She’s stable,” Bella said, stepping closer. “But we believe she has lost her memory. For now, she can’t remember anything.”

Richard blinked, confusion washing over his face. “She… lost her memory?”

“Yes,” Ella said, her voice calm. “We don’t know the extent of the damage yet, but for now, it’s best if you take her home and care for her. She’ll need time to recover.”

I could feel Richard’s eyes on me, but I kept my expression neutral, giving nothing away. I couldn’t let him see the truth.

Richard looked at me, then back at the nurses. “Take her home? I don't even know her, I mean… I don’t know what to do. I didn’t mean to hit her. I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

Bella gave him a sympathetic smile, though I could tell it was part of the act. “Just take care of her, Mr Richard. That’s all you can do now.”

He nodded slowly, as if absorbing the information. Then, he turned to me. “Do you remember anything?” he asked softly, his voice filled with hesitation.

I stared at him, my mind a blank. “I… I can’t remember,” I whispered, keeping my voice shaky, just like we had practiced. “I don’t know who I am.”

Richard’s face fell. “ Alisha right? Is that your name? Alisha?”

I blinked, pretending to be confused. “I… I don’t know. I don’t remember anything.”

Richard’s brow furrowed. “But… where are you from? Who is your family?”

“I… I don’t remember,” I said again, my voice was now more quiet now, as if the words were slipping away from me.

Richard stared at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine, but I gave nothing away. I couldn’t let him see the truth.

The room was silent for a moment, and I could feel the tension building. Richard seemed lost, not sure of what to do next.

And then, just as I thought he might say something else, he walked to the door and then the door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone with the nurses once more.

Everything was in place. The plan was working perfectly. But for how long?