Chapter 86

ALISHA POV

I clenched my fists in frustration. Damnit. The one piece of information I needed, and it was interrupted by a phone call.

I glanced at Richard, who looked just as annoyed as I felt. He shook his head and muttered under his breath, “Unbelievable.”

My thoughts were racing. If the date was close, I needed to act fast. Nadia’s plan to use me as a spy was already risky, but now I was beginning to think I might need to take matters into my own hands.

As Mrs. Garrison continued her phone conversation, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I had to stay focused, had to keep playing my part. But inside, I couldn’t help but feel like time was slipping away, and the stakes were higher than ever.

RICHARD POV

"Richard," my mother called sharply, her voice cutting through the tension that hung in the room like a storm cloud.

She motioned for me to follow her after making a few minutes' call, her manicured finger beckoning me toward the far corner of the sitting room.

Her eyes darted toward Alisha, who sat quietly on the sofa, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her bandaged arm. I hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Alisha, but my mother’s expression left no room for argument.

"Come here. Now," she demanded, her voice low but firm.

I followed her to the corner, my steps heavy, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed. My mother crossed her arms, her lips pressed into a thin line as she glanced over her shoulder to ensure Alisha couldn’t hear us.

"Who the hell is that girl, Richard?" she hissed, her eyes narrowing as she tilted her head in Alisha's direction.

"And why on earth is she in my house? Don’t tell me you’ve gone mad enough to bring a stranger with bandages into our home."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Mom, calm down. I can explain."

"You better," she snapped. "Because right now, all I see is you dragging home a woman who looks like she just escaped from a hospital ward. And why is she even here? The hospital isn’t good enough for her?"

"It’s not like that," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I ran into her this morning when a bunch of trees fell on my car screen…literally. She was in her car trying to maneuver around the corner of the expressway crossing the road, and I didn’t see her in time. It was an accident."

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"So, let me get this straight. You hit her with your car, and your solution is to bring her here? What’s wrong with leaving her in the hospital?

You could’ve paid the nurses more to take care of her. That’s what hospitals are for, Richard, not our home."

I clenched my fists, struggling to stay calm.

"Mom, listen to me. The nurses said she lost her memory. She doesn’t even know who she is or where she’s from. They suggested treating her kindly, giving her a familiar environment to help her recover.

That’s why I brought her here. She didn’t want to stay in the hospital, and forcing her to do so would’ve made things worse."

My mother’s eyes narrowed further, her disapproval practically radiating off her.

"And what about the staff there? Are they suddenly incapable of being kind and doing their jobs? You don’t need to bring her into our lives, Richard. This is unnecessary and come to think of it, I don't even like her."

I exhaled slowly, my patience wearing thin.

"The doctors said her recovery depends on how she’s treated. She’s fragile right now, Mom. Every demand she makes, no matter how small, could be a step toward helping her remember who she is. I couldn’t just leave her there, scared and confused."

My mother’s expression didn’t soften. If anything, her frustration deepened.

"So, you’re saying you’ve made yourself responsible for her? A complete stranger? What if she’s lying, Richard? What if she’s playing some game, taking advantage of your kindness? Did you think about that?"

"I don’t think she’s lying," I replied firmly. "You didn’t see her, Mom. She was terrified, completely lost. I couldn’t turn my back on her."

Before my mother could respond, her eyes flickered to something behind me. Her lips pressed together tightly as she straightened her posture.

I turned my head slightly and saw Alisha walking toward us, her steps hesitant but deliberate.

"Richard," my mother whispered sharply, her tone laced with warning.

"She’s coming this way and why? Is she trying to eavesdrop on us? You see, I told you that I don't like that girl."

I nodded, already feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Alisha’s presence, fragile and mysterious, seemed to cast a shadow over the conversation we weren’t ready to finish.

"Alisha, where do you think you’re going?" my mother’s voice snapped sharply as she stepped out of the corner where we’d been talking.

Her heels clicked against the tiled floor as she approached Alisha, who stopped in her tracks, looking startled.

"I... I wasn’t going anywhere," Alisha stammered, her voice soft and defensive.

"Don’t lie to me," my mother shot back, her eyes narrowing as she folded her arms across her chest. "You were heading this way, weren’t you? Trying to eavesdrop on my conversation with my son?"

Alisha’s cheeks flushed, and she shook her head quickly. "No, ma’am, I wasn’t! I wasn’t trying to listen to anything. I just thought..." She trailed off, glancing nervously at me for support.

"Mother, that’s enough," I cut in, stepping between the two women. My tone was firm, and I held my mother’s gaze, refusing to let her intimidate Alisha any further. "She wasn’t doing anything wrong. There’s no need to accuse her like that."

My mother’s lips pursed tightly, but she didn’t argue further. Instead, she turned to me, her expression softening just enough to remind me she was still my mother, though her disapproval lingered.

"Fine," she said curtly. "But don’t forget, Richard, you have an errand to run. Tammie’s bridal wear needs to be delivered today. You can’t keep putting it off."

I nodded, suppressing a sigh. "I haven’t forgotten."

"Good," she replied, her tone clipped. She glanced at Alisha one last time, her eyes cold and calculating, before addressing me again.