Marcella turned to Derek, tears streaming down her cheeks, "I know what you think of me Derek, you might not accept me as your mother but I won't stop trying to show you how much I love you" she sniffed and continued in a teary voice, "your wife got into an accident and although I wasn't fond of her but for your sake, I had decided to accept her only for me to visit her and she was accusing me of trying to kill her, you should remember that I am your father's wife and I deserve respect" she carried her bag and stormed out of the room.
Derek stared at Kathleen, "what was she talking about?"
"Derek, believe me, she was acting just now"
The doctor came in then to examine her and Kathleen hissed in frustration.
The doctor checked her pulse and vital signs, after examining her, he decided that she could go home the next day but would have to stay in the hospital that day for observation, Kathleen was relieved that her fall hadn't caused much damage to her but who knows how lucky she would keep being if Marcella didn't stop here.
She stared at Derek as soon as the doctor left, "Marcella tried to kill me"
Derek frowned, "I don't understand, why do you think she's trying to kill you?"
Kathleen grasp his hands in hers, "I told you, you're not the father of Nicole's child, I found that out, maybe that's why she wants me killed before I could convince you of it"
Derek looked at her as if she had lost her mind but didn't say anything, Kathleen's eyes grew dark, "you don't believe me do you?"
Derek cleared his throat, "Kath, what if you're wrong"
"And what if I'm right Derek?"
Derek shifted, "although I don't remember much on having sex with Nicole, I was too drunk to remember anything but there's a possibility that I had sex with her that day, you said so yourself that you saw us together"
"Yes Derek, but what if she didn't get pregnant then? It's not 100%guaranteed that you must impregnate a lady when you have sex with her, what if she had sex with someone else that same week or even that same day, the date would match with yours"
"But that would not be a reason for Marcella to want to kill you if I am to believe you, besides, you've already told me about the pregnancy, why would she still want you dead?"
Kathleen shrugged at his question, "perhaps, she hates me that much"
"Or maybe it's your imagination, to clear all doubt, I'll go for DNA testing when Nicole put to bed, is that okay?"
Kathleen huffed and nodded, for now, she'll have to settle for that till she proved to Derek how evil Marcella is.
*
*
Marcella's eye's darkened when she heard Derek promise Kathleen that he would do a DNA test, she hadn't gone home when she stormed out of the room but had hidden outside to eavesdrop on their conversations, she had stepped away from the door when the doctor had come out, "that bitch, ruining all my plans, I do need to get rid of your ass" she fumed.
So he's planning on doing a DNA test, "we'll see about that" she snarled as she quietly left without anyone noticing.
Kathleen was discharged the next day and Derek took her home, "when last did you see your dad?" Kathleen asked on their way home, she had a nagging feeling that something wasn't right with his dad, the last time she had seen him, he looked paler than ever, she felt that his medications should be changed if it wasn't working.
Derek glanced at her, his jaw taut, he had seen his dad just once since his return, it just felt too painful to see him, his dad reminded him of his dad's past, the part he would like to keep buried, why was Kathleen suddenly asking him that? He was paying for his medications and the doctor taking care of him had been their family doctor for 20years, he trust he was well taken care of.
"Why do you suddenly ask?"
Kathleen shrugged at his question, "no reason, I just feel like you need to see him more often"
"We are better off the way we are" his reply was tensed and Kathleen shook her head, "no matter how you run from it Derek, the truth will always be in front of you, he's still your father and he is sick for crying out loud".
Derek suddenly matched the brake and Kathleen jolted forward but her seat belt immediately dragged her back, he slammed his hand on the steering, "stay out of this Kath, you know nothing about it" he gritted
"I might not know about the relationship you share with your father but I believe you love him and that is why you came back to help with the business but you can't avoid seeing him as your father"
"I don't need your advice, so shut up"
"The truth hurts, doesn't it? But it's what you'll need to face" she whispered
"I said shut up" he yelled, "not one more word from you okay" he took in two deep breaths as he started the car and continued driving, they drove the rest of their journey in an awkward and uncomfortable silence, each deep in their own thoughts.
Kathleen followed the silent Derek into the house, she had tried starting up a conversation with him but he had only grunted in reply until she finally fell silent.
"Rest" he finally talked to her when they got to the room, holding up the quilt for her to get in bed.
Exhausted, she quietly lie and he covered her before turning to leave but she quickly caught his hands," Derek...." She began but was cut short as they suddenly heard a loud scream coming from Marcella's room.