CHAPTER THREE

(Fifteen years ago)

Laura hummed to herself as she eased her car into the driveway. She was surprised to see Sam already home. She grabbed her laptop carry bag and headed up the driveway, stopping briefly to grab the mail. She unlocked the door and entered the hallway, almost tripping over her cat. She went into the kitchen and put her carry bag onto the bench before going upstairs.

" Sam? Are you here, I didn't know you'd be home early. We could have had lunch together."

She saw the bedroom door was closed, she opened it without knocking-it was her bedroom too.

" What on earth?" she exclaimed when saw her identical twin sister getting dressed hurriedly. Kath froze, hallway putting on her blouse.

" What are you doing home?" was the first words that came out of Kath's mouth.

" The meeting finished early." Laura narrowed her eyes and she surveyed the room. The bed was made, she could still tell they've been in it, the sheets weren't tucked in at the sides and the bedspread was rumpled. She had left it neat as pin this morning.

Sam Tate emerged from the en-site bathroom and his face went ashen when he saw Laura.

" What…are you doing here?" he spluttered, his face now turning red.

" I live here." She glared at her sister who made no excuse or apology. She actually looked quite pleased and triumphant as she buttoned her blouse.

" I know this looks bad honey, but-"

" There's no point in explaining." Laura said, " I'm not blind or stupid, I can see what went on here." She grabbed her sister's shoes and nearly threw them at her head, " Get the hell out Katherine."

" Gladly." Before leaving, she blew Sam a kiss, " it's been fun." She said as she left, closing the door behind her.

Laura turned away from her husband and went to their walk-in wardrobe. She emerged carrying a small suitcase. She began throwing things into it, unaware of what she was actually packing.

" Aren't you even going to let me explain?" Sam demanded her.

" What is the point? You slept with my sister…why? Because she looks like me? Because we haven't made love in about a month?"

Sam opened his mouth to protest but she rambled on, " I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses Sam." She zipped up the suitcase.

" You're throwing me out? That's a bit unfair-"

" A bit unfair! You were disloyal to me Sam. Doesn't our marriage mean anything to you?' Laura shouted, she refused to cry, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

" Of course it does. We can work this out." Sam pleaded following her down the stairs. She grabbed her car keys, laptop and turned to face him.

" I'm leaving, I hope you and Katherine have a nice life together." She said before hurrying out of the house. When she was safely in the car, that's when the tears really began.

Morag almost jumped when she felt her hand being squeezed. She glanced down at Laura, she was waking up! Her eyes were fluttering and Morag squeezed her hand back in return.

Laura's eyes opened, " M-Morag?" she whispered.

" Welcome back." Morag answered.

" What happened?" Laura's voice sounded dry.

" You fell of a cliff." Morag said, " You've been in a coma for almost five days."

" Where's Jacob?"

" He's waiting outside. I'll go get him." Morag paused, " Laura, there something I need to tell you-"

" Mum! You're awake!" a voice interrupted her.

" Hello Jacob." Laura smiled.

" I'll go get the doctor." Morag felt relieved she was interrupted and left the room.

" Sam is dead?" Laura frowned at Morag, " Are you sure about this?"

" Yes, he's dead." Morag said firmly, " You and Jacob don't have to worry about him anymore."

" But if I survived that fall…then he could have as well." Laura wasn't convinced that Sam was dead.

" He drowned Laura."

" If you say so." Laura sighed, " well at least I have Jacob back. That's one good thing."

Jacob grinned back, his heart thumping. He was about to confess his biggest secret and his mother would never trust him again.

But she's okay, he's dead…why bother? He tried to reason with himself and decided there was no point in dredging up the past.

" Things are gonna be great again Mum." Jacob promised her, " You'll see."

" I have some things to do but I'll be back tomorrow." Morag said.

" Okay, thanks Morag."

Morag nodded and left the room. She leaned against the wall and sighed. How could she get the chance to tell her now with Jacob in the way?

Morag grabbed Dr. Armstrong as she was passing by, " I want to see the other patient."

" Are you sure?" Armstrong asked, " because I don't think-"

" I want to see him." Morag said firmly. Armstrong lead her upstairs to the other ICU ward. Morag looked through the window at the other patient.

The doctors had assured her Sam Tate won't ever wake up and even if he did, he would be a vegetable. Morag stared at the man that had once been Laura's husband.

She couldn't' tell Laura her husband was actually in a coma. Laura wouldn't ever safe if she knew. It was better this way.