Zoey clenched her coat tightly as she glanced at her wristwatch. The snow was still falling outside the cafe where she waited for Ellie, and frustration welled up inside her. She's late, she thought, rubbing her hands together for warmth.
Just as she was losing hope that Ellie would arrive, someone sat across from her. "You didn't think I wouldn't come, did you?" The voice was unmistakableâher sister, Ellie.
Zoey sighed inwardly, putting her bag back down and crossing her legs. "Well, I thought you wouldn't show since you're an hour late," she said, tapping her wristwatch for emphasis. "Come on, Ellie, please be professional next time," she added with a forced smile.
Ellie chuckled, rolling her eyes. "I have my own time management, Zoey, and you should feel lucky that I'm wasting time on you right now," she scoffed. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Zoey glanced out the window, gathering her thoughts. "I heard I'll be receiving an inheritance from our father," she started, watching Ellie's reaction. Ellie tilted her head, raising her brows.
"And? What does that have to do with me?" Ellie leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs with a mocking smile.
"Clearly, you have something to do with it," Zoey said, meeting her sister's gaze head-on. "You're aware of this, right? You're secretly contacting the lawyer our father entrusted with his will," she said, glaring at Ellie.
Ellie laughed and clapped her hands mockingly. "Oh gosh, Zoey, it's a surprise you're still that smart. Wow, bravo!" she said, slowly clapping. "Let me guess, you found this out because your lover helped you, right?"
"Leave Harriet out of this, Ellie," Zoey replied firmly, her fist clenching under the table. "This is a family matter, and I won't involve someone who's clearly not part of our family."
Ellie shrugged, shaking her head in disbelief. "You trust someone you barely know over your own sister?" She smiled sweetly. "Shall I remind you that your lover is a Pierce? Harriet Pierce, wasn't it? Of the three daughters in the Pierce family, Harriet is somehow the richest."
Zoey swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of Ellie's scrutiny. "Are you sure you're not with her because she's rich? Using her to get whatever you want?" Ellie's tone turned accusing.
"What? Ellie, you know I'm not like that! Whatever I have with Harriet is because I love herâregardless of who she is," Zoey said, her voice steady but her heart racing.
Ellie chuckled softly, leaning forward, her elbows resting on the table as if about to share a deep secret. "But are you sure that the little doctor of yours really loves you? The real you?"
Zoey bit her lower lip, confusion flooding her. "What are you trying to say, Ellie? Just get straight to the point!" she snapped, gritting her teeth.
Ellie clicked her tongue and pulled something from her bag. "Here," she said, placing a document on the table. "I got your records from the hospital. See for yourself who your heart donor is." A triumphant smile spread across her face.
Zoey's hands trembled as she picked up the paper, her heart sinking as she read the words:
Organ Donor Agreement, Name of Deceased: Sophie Reed... Donor Family Representative: Vivian Reed...
"No, this can't be," Zoey murmured to herself, clutching the document tightly. She hitched her breath, desperately trying to maintain her composure.
"So let me ask you again, Zoey," Ellie said, her tone low and taunting. "Are you sure that Harriet Pierce loves you? The real you? Or does she only love you because she has to? Because you are the heart recipient of Sophie Reed, Harriet's ex-girlfriend." Ellie chuckled, the sound cold and mocking.
Zoey gulped hard, hastily gathering her things as panic began to rise within her. She couldn't sit there any longer, not with the weight of Ellie's words crushing down on her. Without a word, she fled the cafe, leaving Ellie behind.
As she stepped out into the cold, her vision began to blur, the world around her spinning. Please, just tell me this is all a dream... she thought desperately, needing to make it back home before the realization sank in completely.
Zoey shut the door behind her and leaned against it, staring at Harriet's place, still empty and silent. She must still be at the hospital, Zoey thought, her heart racing. She gulped, running her fingers through her hair as anxiety coursed through her. Hastily, she made her way to the bedroom, gathering her belongings and tossing them into her duffel bag.
The document Ellie had shown her echoed in her mind: Organ Donor Agreement, Name of Deceased: Sophie Reed. "Just what the fuck?" she muttered, a bitter laugh escaping her lips as sobs threatened to overwhelm her. She zipped her bag closed and crouched down, hugging her knees tightly, burying her face in them. "Just fucking wake me up from this nightmare and tell me that this isn't true," she sobbed, feeling the weight of despair crush her.
Realizing that Harriet could be home any minute, she hastily wiped her tears and stood up. She was about to leave when her gaze caught on the countertop. She paused, her heart heavy with the thought that she had promised Harriet she wouldn't leave her. At least can I hear her explanation before deciding? she reasoned with herself, wiping her tears once more.
"Fine, Harriet Pierce, I'm giving you the right to explain when you get back," Zoey said, settling her bag on the floor as she sat down across the countertop, waiting for Harriet.
Not long after, the door chime rang, and Zoey straightened her back, trying to maintain her composure. She watched as Harriet entered the house, locking the door behind her. Harriet smiled and waved, shaking off her coat and hanging it on the rack. "Hey, what are you doingâ" But her gaze fell on the floor, where Zoey's bag sat. "Okay? What's with the bag, sweetheart? Are we going somewhere? Haven't we just returned yesterday from skiing? Where's my bag?" Harriet asked, looking around in confusion.
Zoey remained silent, her expression flat as she regarded Harriet. "Zoey? Sweetheart? Are you okay?" Harriet asked, stepping closer, reaching for Zoey's forehead.
Zoey harshly shoved Harriet's hand away.
Harriet tilted her head, puzzled. "What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?" she asked, closing the distance between them.
Zoey gulped, trying to meet Harriet's hazel eyes. "Harriet," she said, her voice steady.
"Yes?" Harriet responded, scanning Zoey's face. "Wait, did you cry?" She reached out again, but Zoey shoved her hand away once more.
Harriet chuckled bitterly, confusion lacing her tone. "Just what the heck is the problem now?" she asked, striving to keep calm. She didn't understand why Zoey was acting this way, and she couldn't recall anything that would have upset her.
"Do you love me?" Zoey asked, her voice cutting through the tension.
Harriet laughed softly, a playful smile gracing her lips. "What's this? Do you want some girlfriend time already?"
"Just answer my fucking question, Harriet," Zoey demanded, her voice firm.
Harriet was taken aback, meeting Zoey's intense gaze. She gulped, exhaling slowly. "You know the answer to that, sweetheart. Of course, I love you," Harriet said, shrugging as if the answer was obvious.
Zoey stepped closer, her heart pounding. "Really?"
Harriet nodded, a grin spreading across her face. "Yup, hundred and one percent sure," she declared proudly.
Zoey scoffed bitterly. "Yeah? Is it me that you really love? The Zoey Foster you know? Or was it Sophie Reed?"
"W-what?" Harriet stammered, clearly not expecting the sudden turn in their conversation.