Chapter |8|

The rest of Eden's week consisted of her avoiding anything related to her past and mustering fake happiness for everyone around her. The only person she felt herself with was Sharpay, the introverted heiress with a bit of an inferiority complex. They even had that in common.

By the time the weekend rolled around, Eden was getting ready for the most dreadful affair in the history of dreadful affairs—dinner with her parents.

"It's still cold out, you shouldn't be driving. Especially with your condition."

Eden almost rolled her eyes, stopping just in time because she knew she wouldn't hear the end of it. "I'm suffering from amnesia, Eliot. I'm not an invalid."

Regina, freshly showered and already dressed in her pajamas, entered the living room where Eliot was fussing over Eden. "Don't forget blunt force trauma and asphyxia," she added as she plopped down on the couch in front of her TV.

"Thanks, my amnesia must have made me forget." Eden flashed her a big, phony smile, but her sister didn't care, focused in the TV. "Why are you dressed in your pajamas? It's not even seven."

Regina shrugged. "I thought it would stop you from asking me to tag along. But then I remembered you're the new Eden. It's the old Eden who would've guilt-tripped me into coming along."

Eden spent a minute staring at her sister who wouldn't look away from the screen. Sometimes, she wondered if Regina meant to sound tactless or her words just came out that way. "Well," she muttered, turning back to Eliot. "I don't suppose you would like to come with me."

"Have a safe trip." He gave her a quick hug before practically running out of there.

From the couch, Regina chuckled, earning a glare directed at the back of her head. Eden sighed, ignoring them both to grab the rest of her things. After a quick text that she was on her way, she left the suite and headed down. Aaron was waiting for her with her car, so she was soon on her way. Nothing she could do to stall further.

It also didn't help that Eliot had been right. The roads were still slippery and the drive was more exhausting than she expected. Especially running on very little sleep like she had all week.

She eventually got to her parents' place and was immediately shown in by Ethan, their butler. "How have you been, Ethan? And how's Tim doing these days?" she inquired about his five-year-old son, he and his wife's late surprise.

"Very well," he answered, showing her to the dining area. "He starts school soon, it's all he can talk about. And how have you been faring living with Regina and Eliot? Not too chaotic, I hope?"

"Nah. Regina keeps us in check." She took the seat he pulled out for her. He had chosen her usual seat on her father's right, usually beside Rubin. Perplexing the things she could remember and things she couldn't, Eden solemnly thought. She remembered seat arrangements but not the friend she'd known half her life.

Ethan left to go get her parents and soon returned with them. Seeing her parents side by side caused Eden to feel a pang of betrayal directed at her father. How he had let the woman at his side back into his life—into their lives—astounded Eden deeply.

Regardless, she courteously rose to her feet as they approached. "Dad, mom."

"Pearl," her father rumbled in that coarse throaty voice that was the stuff of her childhood. And there was her beloved nickname since she was a toddler.

"Pops." She fell into his arms once he was close enough, burying her face into his crisp, blue shirt. The familiar scent of spice and leather was always comforting. "Missed you."

"Missed you too, pearl," he whispered, pressing a long kiss to the crown of her head.

Almost hesitantly, Eden pulled away then turned to her mother, whom she gave a tight-lipped smile. "Mom."

Eliana Pereira clasped her hands in front of her and nodded back. "Eden. How are you?"

"Good." To avoid further awkwardness, Eden returned to her seat, picked up a napkin and spread it across her lap. "I'm starving." She wasn't. The drive here, thinking of this exact moment had stolen away her appetite. "What did Angel whip up tonight?"

Luckily, Ethan had already gone to get the cook and as her parents sat too—her dad at the head and her mom across Eden—Angel came out of a door leading to the kitchen. "McKenna," the gray-haired, midget-sized woman greeted. "It's been too long. You never visit."

"That's what I always say," Eliana muttered. Loud enough for Eden to hear.

"Great, we're starting already," Eden responded, warranting a glare from her mom.

"Excuse me for wanting to see my daughter a little more often. Especially when said daughter was riddled in a hospital bed for over three months."

Eden didn't even try to hide the eye roll. "Please, I've been gone less than a month. I'm sorry I didn't stop by to visit every waking moment."

"Of course, twist my words to make me the villain." Eliana rolled her eyes as well.

"Could we not do this now?" Eden sighed quietly in exasperation. Hardly ten minutes and she was anxious to leave already.

Angel stepped in, smiling coolly and changing the subject. "I hope you're hungry, Eden. When I heard you'd be coming, I prepared your favorites."

Eden grinned up at her. "Angel, you are the best. The absolute best."

The elderly cook laughed. "Bet you missed my cooking."

"You know I did."

"Sit tight then. Mr. Pereira, Mrs. Pereira." She nodded at them before disappearing back into the kitchen. She returned shortly after with their appetizers, setting out the seasoned dishes of gefilte fish and canapes.

Eden felt her appetite returning. She had started to dig in when her dad spoke to her in his usual gentle manner. "It may not seem so long, but this past month has been tough on your mother and I. We miss you like crazy." She watched his brows furrow into a frown. "Why is it you hardly call?"

Before Eden could defend herself, Eliana jumped in to further victimize herself, aggravating Eden in the process. "We should be asking why is it you're so cruel and selfish? You won't allow us to worry about you, you won't call to tell us how you're doing. I'm sure if I didn't include it in one of my stipulations for letting you go live with Regina, you wouldn't call at all."

"Thank goodness I don't have to lie to your face." Eden shoved food into her mouth angrily, knowing Eliana detested speaking with a mouthful.

"I can't believe you." Downside of that plan, Eliana could still nag at her. "Is it a crime to worry about my own daughter?"

"Is it a crime to not make everything about you?" So much for not talking to her. "I want to distance myself from everything that could cause me stress, yet you find a way to make it all about you."

"Eden, mind how you talk to your mother," her dad reprimanded, to which Eden went quiet. So did Eliana, and the whole of dinner was spent in silence Eden didn't mind. She was too busy relishing every bite of the chicken enchilada casserole that Angel prepared, and the cheesecake dessert afterward. Besides, Eden was right at home when it came to silence. It was her mom she worried about, Eliana forced her to attend this dinner so they could all catch up.

Once dinner was over, they all left the room, Eden walking beside her father while her mom followed behind talking to Ethan. "I'm glad you stopped by, I've missed seeing my pearl's beautiful face. That's all I can remember about you, you turned mute the minute you became a teenager," Rafael joked.

Eden sent him a playful glare. "So insensitive, Pops. I see where Regina gets it."

He laughed at that, the boisterous, lively sound bringing a slight smile to Eden's lips. She may not have been able to recall much, but she remembered she had never been more scared the day her larger-than-life father got a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. She loved this man, he was the number one man in her life. Her rock.

"So, how's school?" he asked once his laughter died down.

Eden shrugged, glancing back to see her mom now walking alone but keeping her distance. "Mom apparently got me a tutor, whom I still haven't met."

"Hmm, she told me about that," Rafael said, nodding. "You shouldn't be so hard on her. She doesn't know how else to look after you all besides worrying. It's her love language. Heck, it's her life language."

Eden snorted. "Don't I know it."

"What else is new? Gotten into any trouble yet?"

"Who, me? No way." She lied clean through her teeth.

Rafael seemed to know, shaking his head in disbelief. "You never want to talk about what's going with you. Still, I hope no one's giving you a hard time."

He meant was anyone giving her a hard time about Ripley? She heard the concern in his voice; not surprising since Ripley had been part of their family more than hers. "No," she continued to lie. Half-lied, anyway. The rude, invasive questions from the students at the academy had reduced to only a murmur or two when she walked by. "I did run into an old boyfriend of Ripley's." She wasn't sure how old, they might have been together before Ripley died.

Rafael watched his daughter in shock. "Ripley kept a boyfriend?" Eden frowned at his incredulous tone. "That's almost impossible to believe. I would think she was determined to remain single her whole life, like you. In fact, I'd think you two were secretly together if I didn't know about her wild nature. She always said she'd enter a relationship only when her gray hair began to grow."

Having her dad of all people fill the blanks about her best friend, especially about something of a private nature, made Eden feel beyond guilty. Because she knew she couldn't remember a single substantial thing about Ripley Carrie Alarcon. She felt like the worst friend ever; one of the reasons she avoided reconnecting with anyone from her past, no matter how few they'd been. What right did Eden get to happiness after forgetting the single most closest person to her? So she had left home, moved in with her sister and shut herself away in her room for the best part of a month. She had kept her phone off and kept away from the things she loved doing. She knew nothing could make up for the fact that she got to live and Ripley didn't, but she'd damn well die trying. It was her duty.

"Eden," a voice called, pulling her from her thoughts. She noticed they had both paused at the entrance door. "You're okay, right? The doctor supported your decision to move and start again, but I think you did that so we wouldn't get the chance to meddle in whatever irrational decision you make." As soon as he was done talking, Eliana showed up at his side.

Knowing she wouldn't hear the end of this now, Eden went on the defensive. "Really? Have you ever known me to make irrational decisions? Unless you think I've changed too, like Regina. You think I'm broken, don't you?"

Rafael sighed. "How could we? You'll always be our little girl, no matter what. You just grew up some more these past few months, it's to be expected with what you went through."

"Then trust me. Especially you, mom." She faced Eliana. "No calling me more than the twice a week we agreed on. No more calling up my school and making decisions for me."

Eliana's expression changed from marginally annoyed to sad and resigned in only a few seconds. "You want me to respect your decision? I will. As long as you promise me you're taking good care of yourself. No drinking or strenuous activity, remember? Your health is still at risk."

"So sex was meant to be off the table? Damn." At her mother's appalled gasp, she bit back a smile. "Relax, I know. I promise."

Eliana sighed in relief. "Good. And next time, we'll send for a driver to pick you up."

Eden kept from arguing. It still felt like not enough freedom. She didn't care that it made things easier for her. "Anything else?"

Rafael chipped in. "Three weeks from now, you and your siblings must be here. Cancel whatever plans you have for that day."

Eden mentally calculated the dates in her mind. February first. "What's happening?"

"It's a surprise," Eliana answered with a sly grin.

Eden shrugged. "Okay."

"I told you she wouldn't care, Eliot's the curious one," Eliana whispered to Rafael. Eden was only a couple of feet away so she heard and inwardly snorted at the truth in her words. Eliot Pereira, the worrywart and the curious bee.

"I'll talk to you on Monday. That's when our next call is scheduled."

Eliana rolled her eyes. "It wouldn't kill you to call earlier, and more often. Would hearing your voice everyday be so bad?"

Eden groaned. "Please don't start."

Rafael laughed at them. "Come here." He took his daughter in his arms and pressed a tender kiss over her head. "Be safe, pearl. I love you."

"Love you too," she muttered, stepping back. After a moment of pause, she gave her mom a small smile. "Mom."

"Love you, baby."

She nodded. "I'll see you both soon. Tell Angel and Ethan I said goodbye." Once her goodbyes were over and done with, she left in her car.

A little distance away from the house, the reprieve Eden had gotten from being around her parents faded. Ripley, the sole focus of her thoughts, returned. Or the frustratingly insufficient memories she had of her. Since most of her lost memories centered around Ripley, the doctors chalked it up to survivor's guilt.

Whatever it was, Eden knew it was getting harmful. She was lying to her family everyday, she was suffocated by these intense feelings of guilt, and she never got enough sleep. It was only a matter of time before things moved from bad to worse, and she had no idea how that would manifest.