Truth and Pain.

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CHAPTER 4

By the time Mira returned, Aria was still awake and not resting as she had expected.

If there was anything, it was that the look on her face and the slight redness of her eyes told that she was crying.

"Oh my! Jade, what is the matter?" Mira questioned as she rushed up to her daughter's bed.

"Nothing."

"It is nothing. You were crying. I never should have left you alone," Mira added.

"I am fine. I just want to be alone, please."

Her tone showed her displeasure and with how blunt she was, Mira felt disheartened by her attitude.

Nevertheless, she was her daughter and she needed to respect the fact that she was having a hard time.

"Fine. I would go home now. I have a meeting in a few hours. So I would go ensure things are okay at the office and then attend my meeting. At least that should give you enough time to be alone."

Aria did not say anything. She never intended to be rude to Mira that way but it couldn't be helped.

Right now she felt as though everything was forced on her. This life, the reality of it especially and the fact that…

'Wait, my body.'

Her eyes flew open and she looked at Mira who had picked up her bag and was about to leave.

"Wait." Mira paused and turned around swiftly to look at Aria. Her eyes were filled with so much hope ad she was not ready to just give up yet.

Yes, the doctor had told her that Jade was going to find it difficult at first but even at that, she did not expect her to be so cold to her.

She was caring and trying as compared to their father.

A part of her felt that her daughter was acting up like this because of the attention and love she failed to get from them.

Yes, both parents were workaholics but even at that, they ensured that she never lacked anything and yes, her father spoiled her because of it.

She, on the other hand, tried to make up for it with whatever little time she got to be close to her but Jade drew distance and would act up just so she did not find out she was sad and lonely and ultimately became who she was.

Sassy, rude, rich and spoiled.

"Yes, dear. Is there anything you need? Or do you want me to stay," she quickly added the last part in hopes that whatever her decision was, with her showing that she cared, Jade would be touched and allow her.

"No. That is not it. I still want to be left alone but, I want to know something."

She watched as Mira's hopes were dashed against the wall and her eyes dropped. For a minute there she allowed her sadness to show before recalling she was in front of her daughter and quickly composed herself.

"Umm, yes, what do you wish to know." She turned her gaze towards her, ultimately a plain smile was on her face all of a sudden.

'WOW! She changes her feelings fast. Not the perfect family huh?' Aria took note in her mind.

"Yes. I want to know about… I mean what happened to the girl I was in an accident with?"

0_0

She saw Mira's eyes fly open and was conflicted in her mind.

'What is wrong? Did I say anything wrong that I was not supposed to say? Isn't asking about me, logical and reasonable?'

"Why did you ask?" Mira once again quickly masked her shock with smiles.

'Deception.' Aria mentally noted again.

"Well, I suppose I am curious."

"Oh, I see. It is just that, you find it hard to recall things and the doctor said you would have a temporary loss of memory but you recall someone who you have only just met and caused your…"

She closed her eyes briefly, taking in a deep breath as well.

"Well, your condition. Someone who put you in this state. It is a miracle that you are alright without any major problem like broke bone or spine and all."

"I see. Perhaps she did indeed leave an impression,' Aria lied.

"Not really. Most times, scenes from the accident are usually what is harder for the patient to recall because of the trauma."

"What are you getting at, mother?"

Even the way she said it, indicated the hurt and anger in her voice but Mirac only shook her head.

Even she did not know why she was confronting Jade about things like that. It was not telling good about her relationship with her, one that she was fervently trying to mend.

"I am sorry. I just. Well," a teardrop fell from her eyelid and she half turned, hiding her face from her daughter.

"I just. Perhaps I am just hurt by your words. You could forget your parents and recall someone else. Besides, I have watched and waited but you haven't called me mum since until now when I mentioned her."

Aria sighed. 'So this is what all this was about? She was jealous. I guess I overdid it, huh? I better fix it until I figure things out and how to get back to my original body.'

"For the record," Aria began, clearing her throat and getting Mira's attention.

"I am sorry. And I did not recall much but a flash of the accident and it was what woke me up as well. I briefly saw myself and someone in a fighting state and then the truck hit us. So I was curious as to who she was and if she survived so I can ask her what happened."

"Oh, that is it. I am so sorry darling. I never meant to hurt your feelings with my words."

"It is alright."

"Well, if you must know, passersby said she bumped into you and spilt your coffee on your new white gown. Your father just got it for you when he returned from his trip. You girls got into some heated argument and then she slapped you."

"She did!"