Chapter Ninety

Chapter 90

The psyche ward buzzed with an unnatural stillness, an eerie calm that seemed to seep into every corner. Jemima woke up alone, her head pounding and her heart aching. The sterile walls of the room felt like they were closing in on her, and for a moment, she couldn't remember where she was. Then it all came rushing back: the ambulance ride, Jay's hand in hers, and the way her family's faces looked as they watched her leave.

Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. Jemma's voice slithered into her mind, cold and sharp. "See? I told you. They've abandoned you. You're nothing to them now."

"Shut up," Jemima whispered, her voice trembling. "They love me. They want me to get better."

Jemma laughed, the sound like nails on a chalkboard. "If they loved you, they wouldn't have left you here. This is where they send the broken ones, Jem. And you? You're shattered."

The door opened, and Dr. Kaine stepped in, clipboard in hand. Her calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the storm raging in Jemima's mind.

"Good morning, Jemima," Kaine said, her voice steady and soothing. "How are you feeling today?"

Jemima didn't respond immediately. Her gaze was fixed on the floor, her hands still balled into fists. "Why am I alone?" she asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kaine combed her fingers through her hair as she steadied her gaze, thinking of the best approaches I answered the question "You're not alone," she said gently. "I'm here. And so are the people who love you. They're just giving you the space you need to start healing."

"Space?" Jemima's voice cracked with anger. "It feels like they've given up on me."

Kaine sighed, pulling up a chair that was in the corner of the room and sat across from her. Her stance was professional and the distance she kept between them was respectable. 

"They haven't given up," Kaine replied. "They're trusting you to take this step. And they're trusting me to help you through it."

Jemima's eyes filled with tears. She hated the vulnerability she felt, hated how much Jemma's words echoed her deepest fears. "You don't know what it's like," she said, her voice shaking. "You don't know what it's like to have someone else inside your head, trying to tear you apart."

Kaine leaned forward slightly, her expression empathetic. "You're right. I don't know what it's like to be you. But I do know that you're not alone in this. And I want to help you understand what's happening, so we can start to heal the parts of you that are hurting."

Jemima's hands relaxed slightly, though her body remained tense. "How?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

"By talking," Kaine said simply. "By understanding Jemma, and why she's here. She's not your enemy, Jemima. She's a part of you that's been trying to protect you in her way and that’s what you need to understand."

"Protect me?" Jemima's voice rose, incredulous. "She's ruining my life!"

"She's trying to destroy the pain," Kaine said softly. "But she doesn't know how to do that without hurting you. That's why we're here. To help both of you find a better way."

Jemima's eyes searched Kaine's face, looking for any sign of deception. All she found was calm sincerity. For the first time in what felt like forever, a tiny flicker of hope sparked within her. It was fragile, barely there, but it was enough to keep her from turning away.

Back at the house, Marcus paced the living room like a caged animal. Every minute that passed felt like an eternity, and the silence was unbearable. Ava sat on the couch, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, while Jay leaned against the wall, staring out the window.

"I hate this," Marcus said, running a hand through his hair. "I hate that we had to leave her there."

"She's safe, Marcus," Ava said, though her voice wavered. "It's the best place for her right now."

"Safe?" Marcus barked, turning to face her. "How the hell is she safe in a place like that? Locked up, surrounded by strangers—how do we even know they'll take care of her?"

Jay finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm. "Because we don't have a choice. We've done everything we can here, and it wasn't enough. She needs professional help, Marcus."

Marcus's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "I should've done more. I should've protected her."

"You've always protected her," Ava said, her voice breaking. "But this...this is something none of us could've stopped. It's not your fault."

Marcus sank into a chair, his head in his hands. "It feels like my fault."

Jay pushed off the wall and walked over to Marcus, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She's going to get through this," he said, his voice steady. "We all are. But we have to trust the people who know how to help her."

Marcus didn't respond, but he didn't pull away either. The room fell silent again, the weight of their worry pressing down on them all.

At the psyche ward, Jemima sat in her room, staring out the small window. The world outside felt so far away like it belonged to someone else. Jemma's voice had been quiet for the past hour, but Jemima knew better than to think she was gone.

A soft knock on the door broke her reverie. It was Elara this time, holding a tray with a cup of tea and a small plate of biscuits.

"Thought you might like something warm," Elara said, her smile gentle.

Jemima hesitated, then nodded. Elara set the tray on the small table by the bed and sat down across from her.

"How are you holding up?" Elara asked, her tone casual but concerned.

Jemima shrugged, her gaze fixed on the tea. "I don't know. Everything feels...wrong."

Elara nodded, as if she understood. "It's a lot to take in. But you're not alone, Jemima. You have a whole team of people here who want to help you."

"Do you think I can get better?" Jemima asked, her voice small.

"I do," Elara said firmly. "But it's going to take time. And it's going to take a lot of strength. Luckily, I think you've got plenty of that."

Jemima managed a faint smile, the first one in days. For the first time, she felt like maybe, just maybe, there was a way forward.

That night, Jemima's dreams were filled with shadows. Jemma's voice was louder than ever, mocking and cruel. But in the distance, she heard another voice—softer, stronger. It was Marcus, calling her name, reminding her that she wasn't alone.

When she woke, her cheeks were damp with tears, but her heart felt a little lighter. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she might have the strength to face it.

“Oh good, you’re awake!” Dr. Kaine announced as she walked into the psych ward. Jemima looked at her and nodded softly, not feeling up for any confrontations.  

“I’d like to speak to Jemma,” Kaine's voice was strict and professional and it left no room for argument. 

“I can’t just summon her. She comes of her own free accord,” Jemima pointed out as she faced Kaine, wondering why the doctor had the sudden urge to speak with Jemma. 

“I know you can’t love that’s why I’m talking to her right now. She can hear me,” Kaine stated, her legs crossed over the other as she clasped her hand over the clipboard. 

“Well, good luck trying to get…”

The words got stuck in her mouth as she winced in pain. She doubled over, falling to the ground. She groaned loudly as she placed her head in her hand, her pain intensifying with each breath. 

“Jemima!” Dr Kaine shrieked, rushing over to her side to ensure that she was fine. 

“It’s Jemma now,” Jemma stated, her smile cynical as she glared at Dr. Kaine. “You wanted to see me.”

Dr Kaine took a step back, returning to her seat as she stared at Jemma. Of course, she looked like Jemima because she inhabited Jemima’s body but there was a stark contrast in her expression that was malicious compared to the warm look that Jemima always had. 

“Good to see you too Jemma,” Dr. Kaine greeted, her pen scribbling away on her notepad with added concentration. 

“Why did you want to see me?” Jemma reiterated, her tone icy and sharp but it didn’t faze Dr. Kaine as she continued to scribble on her notepad. 

“You seem angry, why is that?” De Kaine asked, probing gently. 
Jemma said nothing. 

Dr. Kaine continued, “I’d like to understand why you’re so angry all the time. What happened to you? Why were you born?” 

“And what if I don’t want to talk about it?” Jemma queried defensively, her tone becoming shaky as her gaze faltered. 

Kaine smiled, not a mocking smile but a warm and inviting smile that soothed frayed nerves within Jemima’s body. “Then that’s fine. Maybe you will, with time but not today and that’s completely understandable.”

Jemma blinked back at the surprise she was feeling, not knowing how to react to Kaine's nice words. 

“I do need you to understand one thing though; Jemima is not your money. You both are two persons in one body. You were born to shield Jem from the knowledge of the hurt done against her but you can’t shield her forever and eventually, the ignorance is going to make her rot. She needs you to tell her what happened, show her.”

Jemma’s lips pursed in a thin line, her brows creased as she thought of what to say. 

Dr Kaine stood up to excuse herself but as she reached for the doorknob Jemma’s voice stopped her in her tracks. 

“My father raped me.”