"Wake up." A tap on her cheek. Then another, harder.

Arabella's eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar ceiling. White. Sterile. The thick smell of disinfectant burned her nose.

She tried to lift her hand to her face. It wouldn't move.

That's when she felt something biting into her wrists.

"W–what is this place? Who are you?" Arabella questioned, attempting to stand up, but again, she couldn't move her legs.

She looked down at herself, only then did she realize her legs and arms had been strapped on the table before her like some criminal in an interrogation room.

Her dress was gone as she was now wearing a plain white gown. Hospital gown.

Arabella panicked, "What's going on here? What do you want from me?"

The lady who was standing before her-middle-aged, tired eyes, nurse's uniform-sighed, running her hand through Arabella's hair gently, "You are so beautiful, I wonder what drove you crazy."

Arabella angrily moved away her head, her heart thumping wildly in her chest as fear crept into the depth of her soul, "What is this place? Who the hell hired you to do this? Adrian?"

"This is the Havenbrook Psychiatric Hospital, Ms..." The nurse paused looking at the name written on the form in her hand, "Ms. Elena, You've been admitted here." The Nurse explained slowly like she was talking to a child, "I am Nala, your personal nurse and I am here to assess your current condition."

Arabella's eyes widened in disbelief, "Elena? Who the hell is that? I am Arabella. Arabella Sterl..." She paused, realizing she had no relationship with that name now, but the nurse mistook it for memory shortage.

"I understand Elena. We've been told you have a memory issue and keep taking on people's identity. But don't worry, we are you to reset your memory." Nala said with an evil smirk dancing on her lips.

Arabella's lips trembled as she realized she was doomed, but she tried to compose herself. This was a mental hospital, so every aggression she showed could be confused for a mental problem. The best option she had at the moment was to borrow the Sterling one last time.

"Nala, I promise you I am not crazy. I am Arabella Sterling. Daughter of the Sterling Law Group. You can check it online."

Even though they had long dissolved her adoption, it was never made public so that detail was still somewhere on the internet. Or so she thought.

Nala raised a brow, her eyes drifting between the file in her hand and Arabella's face.

Arabella's heart thudded violently, as she hoped Nala would give her the benefit of doubt and just check the internet.

"First you claim to be the mother of his child, and now his sister?" She sighed, shaking her head. Nala made a note on her chart. "Honestly, does it look like I care? As long as she pays me well, I will tolerate your gibberish forever."

Arabella's heart sank as hot tears rushed up her eyes, "She? W-who is she?"

Nala looked at the file again, then replied, "Your sister."

Arabella let out a humorless chuckle as more tears poured, "I have a sister now?"

"Don't tell me you've forgotten me, sweet little sister?" Serena's voice echoed from the door as she walked into the room, heels clicking the floor loudly.

"You?" Arabella gasped, eyes widened in disbelief.

Serena glanced at the nurse and commanded, "Excuse us."

Nala attempted to leave but Arabella yelled loudly, "Please just check the internet. You will see it."

Serena smirked, pulling out her phone showing off the screen, "You mean this internet?"

On it was an article that had been issued the previous day.

The title clearly read, "The Sterling Family has no daughter."

Arabella's fist clenched so hard her knuckles turned white. It's barely 24 hours since the divorce and Adrian couldn't wait to publicly get rid of her?

Nala left while Serena pulled a chair and sat just meters away from Arabella.

"You know ever since I called you crazy, I've always wanted to see how this white gown would look on you." Serena started, admiring her freshly made acrylic nails nonchalantly, "I won't lie though, you make anything look beautiful."

Arabella screamed at the top of her lungs, the veins of her neck throbbing as she lunged at her. But the strong chains held her back. "I have divorced him now, haven't I? You've taken everything. What more do you want from me?"

The corner of Serena's lips curled up in a disdainful smirk, shrugging her shoulders, "Everything?"

"Can you ever give back everything you owe me?"

Arabella's brows creased in confusion. She tried to look back into their past when they were kids. Nothing.

Aside from Adrian, she's never taken or even attempted to take anything from her.

Hot tears streamed down her eyes as she stared at her, Serena's smile making her skin burn as she cried, "What did I ever do to you?"

Serena chuckled loudly but she didn't look satisfied...didn't even look like someone that just won everything.

"As for your son..."

"Don't you dare touch my son, you psycho!" Arabella roared, bouncing on her seat, barely able to contain her anger.

Despite the restraint on her movement, Arabella shook so hard, her chair moved closer, startling Serena for a heartbeat, "If you touch a single hair on his head, I will kill you!"

Serena tried to hide the chill that ran down her spine with Arabella's threat, as she stylishly pulled her chair back, trying to bring back her composure.

"Don't worry about Axel. I will treat him well, after all, I don't plan on having a kid of my own." She reassured her.

Arabella swallowed hard, dropping her gaze as she tried to regain the strength she'd exhausted. Her fingers trembled, blood smearing the place where her skin met the restraints.

"Please...please let me go." Arabella begged, how voice was weak. Defeated. "I will never show up again."

That boosted Serena's ego, her confidence returning fast, her smile running wide, "Don't worry. I already made sure of that."

"That's why I changed your name? Even if anyone remembers you, they will never be able to find you, just like your mother..." Serena caught herself a little too late.

Arabella's eyes widened, a chill running down her spine, "M–my mother? How do you know about my mother?"

For all she knew, her birth mother died in prison. At least that was what Victor could uncover before his sudden death.

Serena bit the inside of her lips, avoiding a direct glance at Arabella as she picked her purse ready to leave. "You don't have the luxury to worry about anyone."

Just then the door creaked open and the head psychiatrist of the hospital, Dr. Sebastian walked in, with Nala behind him.

"Ms. Smith, I rushed over as soon as I heard you came by yourself." Dr. Sebastian greeted.

Serena took in a deep breath as she rose, giving one last disdainful look at Arabella before turning to face them.

"Torture her until she actually loses her mind. Then I will have my father give a huge donation to your hospital." She instructed, striding towards the door.

"Thanks, thank you, Ms. Smith." Dr. Sebastian replied, years of corruption etched in his brows.

Just as Serena reached for the door, Arabella managed to speak, "Serena, can you at least tell me what I ever did to offend you?"

Serena's hand hovered over the doorknob for a while, then she turned back walking towards Arabella.

When she was close enough, she leaned in, whispering into her ear with a smile, "If I tell you, I will have to kill you."

"But I don't want you to die just yet."

She strode away, her laughter echoing around the room long after she left, every sound, piercing Arabella's broken heart.

Adrian woke up with a splitting headache as he rubbed his palm through his face before slowly opening his eyes.

He lay awake on the bed in the private bedroom within his office.

Bottles of booze lay on the floor by the bed as he had spent the past two days since Arabella left getting drunk and just being utterly miserable.

"Mr. Sterling." Gavin's voice came through the door. "The fraud case meeting is early tomorrow. You still haven't touched the files."

Adrian groaned, sitting up. "I'll handle it overnight."

He stretched his aching muscles, even though he'd barely done any strenuous work to get him so tired.

It felt like his mind was in a fog as he couldn't tell what was weighing him down.

Maybe he missed her?

He scoffed at the idea, dismissing it as fast as it came.

But when his phone buzzed and he picked it up, he realized the last thing he was staring at before he dozed off was an old picture of Arabella.

"Fuck!" He groaned.

As much as he hated it, he found himself staring at the picture a little too long again.

It was the picture he'd taken of her on her college graduation day.

Her smile was bright, open. She looked so young there, sunlight catching in her hair, joy radiating from her face...a smile that had slowly disappeared from her face over the years.

It shouldn't have surprised him to see how much of her brightness had dimmed over the years, but somehow it did.

As if he could pretend he didn't know what he did to drain the light from her eyes...what he did to tighten her smile into something cautious, then erased it altogether.

He suddenly slipped the phone into his pocket, inhaling sharply as he forced himself not to think too deeply into how he treated her over the years.

He wasn't looking for redemption. In fact he did everything just to make her leave. Forever.

But now that she was gone, why did it suddenly hurt?

He stood up and walked towards the large window overlooking the city from the 4th floor.

"You better live a good life, Petals." He mumbled partially to himself and partially to the wind that blew a lone tear down his cheek.

His phone buzzed again in his pocket, jolting him back as he quickly wiped off the tear and reached for it.

Another missed call from Serena among several other notifications.

He typed a short text, "Let's talk in the office tomorrow. I have an important case to prepare for. Take care of Axel."

He made to clear the notification bar, but something caught her attention.

An "Important" email from an unfamiliar sender.

The name caught his attention and he eventually opened it.

The email was brief, straightforward.

***

Hi,

This is an urgent reminder that the contents of your vault at EverGuard Secure Storage are scheduled for release. Please collect your items before 11:59 PM today, or arrange payment for an extension to avoid the items being discarded.

Thank you for your immediate attention.

Best regards...

***

He arched a brow in confusion because he'd never used the company's services before.

Surprisingly, this wasn't their first email.

When he checked the CC, he realized the message was forwarded to both him and his father.

His hands tightened around his phone as he realized his father might have included his email in the contact info.

He checked his phone.

6:30pm.

He sucked in a deep breath as he walked out of the bedroom to start reviewing his case file.

But as the hour went by, he couldn't stop himself from thinking about the email.

"What could be in the safe?" his mind constantly questioned.

When he checked the time again, 8:47pm. Less than four hours before the deadline.

He grabbed his jacket and car key, giving into his curiosity as he drove off.

When he arrived at the office, he was made to fill a few paperworks and a small fee before they handed over the key to him.

"Let us know if you wish for an extension," The vault operator said as she walked away after showing Adrian to the vault.

Adrian was hesitant, taking a few seconds to brace himself.

His relationship with his father had strained ever since the news of Arabella's pregnancy.

He felt like he was a disappointment. A sick perv who preyed on his own 'sister.'

And when his father forced the marriage, he thought it was just damage control. After all, his Dad cherished the family name a lot.

He stopped looking into his Dad's eyes since then...avoided him even.

And suddenly he was dead. Adrian felt guilty.

He needed closure. And maybe this was it.

Eventually, he opened the vault.

A bunch of files laid tired inside the vault. It'd been years, but they looked neat and perfectly in good shape.

Adrian's hand trembled around the edges of the paper as he held them.

'What are these?'

He wasn't sure what he was going to find, but he braced himself for disappointment.

He sat up on the floor to support his numb legs, his back relaxing on the vault as he finally opened the file.

By the third page, hot tears were already blurring his vision.

Inside the file were detailed documents on a secret case his Dad has been working on.

The Wrongful Arrest of Isabella Greene.

Arabella's real mother.

His heart thudded wildly in his chest.

All the secret meetings with Arabella, the lengthy phone calls, the hushed conversation that made his mom believe Arabella had been scheming for the company shares were nothing but innocent case readings?

His Dad was just trying to find her family?

When he got to the last page, it was Arabella's adoption nullification papers.

The date...Adrian's eyes widened.

His Dad had actually nullified her adoption three months before the one night stand? Before his secret feeling even became public debate. Why?

A note fell and with much hesitation, he picked it up reading through it.

***

Damn! I died before I could discuss this with you?

***

As he read the first line, a lone tear trickled down his eyes.

This line alone meant he was anticipating his death. But why? Could it not be a simple accident as they had always thought? Or was it just instinct?

***

I must have been a terrible father not to notice how you look at her. I saw your diary, son. You're not sick. I'd say you're brave even. Loving someone 'forbidden' is never easy. I'm sorry for making you feel that way. So I have nullified her adoption. She's not your sister anymore.

I just feel horrible that you don't find me worthy enough to open up to. You used to tell me everything. How did we become like this?

That aside, can you do me a favour? Look into this case file. It might lead to a dead end, but that innocent girl deserves to know her family if they are still alive.

Just be discreet. The people behind this case might be more dangerous than I anticipated.

Promise me you will protect her at all costs, but drop the case if it gets too risky.

No matter what, you will always be my son. I love you.

***

Adrian curled into his fetal position, each line hitting with the slow, sick weight of a punch he never saw coming.

It should have felt like relief-proof that he wasn't a disappointment to his father.

But all Adrian felt was pain. A raw, twisting ache that settled under his ribs, refusing to loosen.

For over five years, he'd hurt Arabella for his own guilt. Covered it up by calling her a gold digger. And now even tore an innocent mother and child apart just to hide his own shame.

And now his father just told him he wasn't wrong for loving her.

The guilt was instant and suffocating. He'd let his father down horribly.

But maybe he still had a chance. To redeem himself. To get Arabella back. To create their happy family. The one his father always envisioned.

He hurriedly grabbed his phone and dialed Gavin's number.

It rang once. Twice.

"Find Arabella." His voice shook but his resolve was firm. "I don't care what it takes. Find her. NOW."

ONE MONTH LATER

Arabella curled in the corner of the small room, her knees to her chest. Her arms shook from the last injection...they always made her feel like her bones were burning.

She bit down on her lip to stop herself from crying again. Her voice was too hoarse to make another sound anyway.

The metal door clicked. Nala walked in, bored, holding a tray of syringes.

Not again.

Arabella's heart thudded painfully. She watched Nala carelessly drop her phone on the counter before leaning over her.

"Time for your dose."

"No," Arabella whispered, backing away. "Please... no more."

Nala rolled her eyes. "You always fight. It won't change anything. I will lose my job if I don't do this."

A small smile appeared on her lips as she added, "Plus your sister is paying a lot of money for this."

Her smile started to turn into a sinister laugh as she drew up the medication into the syringe.

"I'm making so much more money in a month than I've made in 6 months combined, I can't take this job for granted."

As she turned to drop the medication bottle, Arabella moved. Fast. Desperate.

She grabbed the phone with trembling hands and slipped it under the thin blanket. The nurse didn't notice-not until Arabella pushed past her and ran out of the room.

Alarms started screaming, hospital security running after her.

Arabella's breath came out in sharp, broken gasps as she ran through the corridors of the hospital.

Her legs were blistered from the torture, her body weak from too much injections and too little food, but she ran, dashing into the first unguarded room she saw.

Another patient's room. But she was sleeping...Or so she thought.

Arabella locked the door behind her, docking at a corner.

Her fingers shook so badly she almost dropped the phone. She didn't know what she was doing, only that she had to get out, and had to live. For Axel. For herself.

She opened the call log. Her vision blurred.

There were only two numbers she memorized.

One, Adrian.

She started to type it, but stopped midway.

He definitely had someone following her that day. What's to say he wasn't involved in this?

Adrian was the last person she wanted to ask for help now.

Maybe not the last. Because the other number...she was forced to memorise it.

That number.

The one her Victor had said as he bled out inside the crashed car six years ago.

"Your mother..." Victor had rasped, coughing blood as he sagged in Arabella's arms. "She's dead." But-" his breath had stuttered, fading fast. "I might have found your father."

The number she swore she would never call because Victor's investigation showed he abandoned her mother.

The number she had tried to delete a thousand times. The number she wasn't even sure would still be in service.

But now...he might be her only hope.

Her thumb hovered over it. For a moment she couldn't breathe.

"I don't want to die here," she whispered. "Please...please help me." She prayed in her mind just before she pressed call.

The ringing felt endless, her heartbeat pounding in her ears with every ring.

Then a deep voice spoke as soon as the call went through.

"Hello?"

Arabella's breath cracked. She didn't know what to say. Words tangled in her throat. Tears slid silently down her face.

"Who is this?" the voice asked, sharper now. Strong. Alert.

"It's..." Her voice broke. "I-I...my name is Arabella Greene." She wiped her face with the back of her hand as the door banged behind her.

Fortunately, they had metal doors, making it impossible to tear down.

"I...I am supposed to be the child you had with Isabella Greene."

There was a hard, stunned silence.

"...Arabella?" His voice was rough now, like something hit him in the chest. "I–Isabella had our baby? Who are you? How did you know of Isabella?"

"I know it's hard to believe a random person claiming to be your child, but you are my last resort. I'm trapped in a mental hospital. I could die any moment," she whispered. Her whole body shook. "Y-you couldn't save my mom...maybe you can save me?"

She heard the scrape of a chair, like he jumped to his feet.

"If I find out you are tricking me, I will make sure you regret making this call," he threatened, voice steady but trembling under it. "Where are you? I'm coming for you. Right now...don't hang up."

Over the next few seconds, she could hear him curse under his breath as he shouted words of command to what felt like his guards.

Arabella pressed her forehead against the wall, crying silently.

"Please... hurry." she whispered.

Arabella didn't move. She held the phone to her chest like it was the last piece of hope she had.

She could hear Nurse Nala and Dr. Sebastian arguing behind the door as they tried to open the door with its spare keys.

They weren't about to let Arabella end their paycheck and massive donations.

While the chaos went on, Arabella noticed the patient in the room hadn't moved. Not once.

Despite the shouting, the banging, the alarms.

She tiptoed closer, her breath shallow.

The woman's eyes were open. Glassy. Staring at nothing.

Dead.

The woman had died just minutes ago-the nurse had barely stepped out to call for a gurney when Arabella burst in.

Arabella staggered back, tripping and falling on her back. She covered her mouth with a palm, while she tried to move back with the other.

The phone slipped from her hand. The banging on the door and threats from the nurses didn't stop.

The key box contained rusty spare keys for every room in the hospital so it was hard to find. And even if they did, it might likely not work because of the rust.

Arabella gasped crawling under the bed, hands pressed firmly on her mouth, trying to be invisible.

For over an hour, she heard them struggle with the keys, arguing and cursing, every second felt like eternity.

After a while, the pounding stopped, replaced by a low, wavering noise that seeped through the ceiling.

Under the bed, Arabella held her breath, unsure if it was a helicopter overhead or just the building groaning.

Then it stopped. The banging. The threats. She heard faint footsteps approaching. Then a few furious commands.

Several more minutes passed before the door opened.

"Arabella?" The familiar voice she heard on the phone earlier came.

Arabella was hesitant, but as she peeped out and locked eyes with the pair of beautiful brown eyes that looked just like hers, hot tears poured down her eyes.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with brown eyes exactly like hers and dark hair streaked with silver. A neatly kept beard framed his jaw, giving him a dignified, commanding look.

She slowly crawled out, her vision blurred but she could still make out the figures of several guards surrounding the room.

The man couldn't help mouthing, "Isabella...." as he reached out, giving her a hand which she hesitantly took to get on her feet.

"You...are..." he stuttered, his eyes locked firmly to hers. The resemblance was clear as day...at least for him. "I–I'm Richard. Richard Gallagher..."

"Thanks for saving me." Arabella interrupted as she slowly pulled her trembling hand away from his grip, lowering her gaze.

Yes, he saved her. But that doesn't mean she'd ever forgive him for abandoning her mother. For abandoning her.

"Isabella..." whatever he was about to say trailed off as a guard pushed Dr. Sebastian to the floor, announcing,

"He's in charge here."

Even before he was questioned, Dr. Sebastian started to confess, begging to be spared.

Richard looked at Arabella, jaws tightened with anger on hearing the story.

"You call the shots, Arabella. What do you want to do to them?"

Arabella slowly wiped the tears off her face, the unbearable fear and pain she felt slowly washing away knowing she was safe now.

But the Arabella that came in here was different than the one Richard had rescued.

Now, she will make everyone that hurt her pay dearly...but slowly.

She looked at the corpse laying in the bed and then back to Richard, "Seems like I will be needing another favour from you, Mr. Gallagher."