Bittersweet Obsession

Tamara and Celia rushed back into the apartment and hurried to Amber's bedside. They carefully checked her condition, their brows furrowed in concern. Tamara's heart raced with fear as she prayed for her mother's well-being, while Celia's steady presence provided a comforting reassurance.

"I just left her a while ago, and she was fine then. What could've happened?" Celia wrinkled her brow in concern as she looked at Amber's lifeless body on the bed.

She gently stretched out to check her pulse, relief flooding her face as she felt the weak but steady throb beneath her fingertips. "There's still a pulse, thank goodness. Let's not lose hope just yet."

Tamara's heart clenched with fear as she struggled to hold back tears. "I don't know, Aunt Celia. She was unconscious when I found her. It's like something happened out of nowhere."

Celia placed a comforting hand on Tamara's shoulder, offering her support. "Let's try to stay calm, sweetheart. We'll figure this out together. Maybe she just needs some rest."

Tamara nodded, her mind racing with worry and fear. "I hope you're right, Aunt Celia. I can't lose her now."

Celia rummaged through the cabinets in search of a small bottle of fragrant oil. With a determined nod, she poured a few drops onto a cloth and gently waved it under Amber's nose, hoping the soothing scent would help rouse her from unconsciousness.

"Come on, Amber. Wake up, sweetheart," Celia murmured softly as she continued to coax her.

As they waited anxiously, hoping for any sign of improvement, the atmosphere in the room was heavy with tension. Time seemed to pass slowly, each minute feeling like an eternity as they watched over Amber.

Finally, there was a faint stirring from the bed. Tamara's heart skipped a beat as she watched her mother's eyelids flutter open, revealing tired but conscious eyes.

With a sigh of relief, Tamara and Celia exchanged looks.

Tamara let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding as she watched her mother slowly regain consciousness. With a relieved smile, she leaned in close, gently grasping her mother's hand.

"Hey, Mom, finally you're awake," she said softly with warmth and relief. "You had us worried there for a minute. How are you feeling?"

As she spoke, she reached for a glass of water on the bedside table, offering it to her mother to sip on. She stayed by her side, ready to offer comfort and support as Amber began to recover from her ordeal.

Seeing her mother awake, Tamara's initial instinct was to bombard her with questions and expressions of relief. However, Celia, ever the voice of reason, gently motioned for Tamara to keep quiet and not to stress her mother further. "Let's give her some space to rest, sweetheart," Celia whispered, her tone calm and soothing. "Your mom needs time to recover, and talking right now might overwhelm her."

Tamara nodded, understanding the importance of allowing her mother to rest and recuperate. With a gentle smile, she settled back into her chair, silently offering her support and presence as Amber drifted back into a well-deserved sleep. As Celia prepared to leave, she turned to Tamara with a reassuring smile.

"Sweetheart, I think it's best if I go now," she said gently. "Your mother needs some rest, and you've been through a lot today and certainly need a break too. But I trust you to look after your mom while I'm gone. If anything happens, just call out for me. And if it's an emergency, don't hesitate to call an ambulance."

"Don't worry, Aunt Celia. I've got this."

After the old lady left, Tamara set about tidying up the room, clearing away the mess of crumpled tissues and ensuring her mother was comfortable. Throughout it all, she remained by her mother's side. She kept a close watch in the quiet room, the only sound was the soft hum of the nearby air.

Suddenly, amidst the silence, her heart skipped a beat as she heard her mother's soft and faint voice. "Tamara."

Eager to hear what her mother had to say, Tamara's eyes widened in surprise as she leaned in closer. "Yes, Mom?"

"Honey," her mother murmured, "there's something I need to tell you."

"Sure, Mom. What is it?"

The room fell into a prolonged silence with tension as Tamara waited anxiously for her mother to speak. Finally, in a ragged breath and slurred words, Amber broke the silence in whisper, her voice trembling with effort. "I... I need to tell you something. My time... it's almost up. I need to share the truth... the truth that's been hidden for so long."

Tamara's forehead pinched in concern, while her attention fully focused on her mother's words. Her heart skipped a beat as she listened carefully, curious by her mother's intriguing comments.

Taking in a deep breath and pausing briefly, Tamara began, "Mom..."

Ignoring her, Amber whispered in a fragile voice, "I need Brianna."

Confused by her mother's response, Tamara hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "But Mom, I just came back and have looked everywhere. I can't find her."

Amber's gaze fixed intensely on Tamara. Despite her weakened state, she made a concerted effort to convey the gravity of her words, each breath coming out in faint whispers. "You are not my daughter."

Tamara's heart skipped a beat as her mother's words hit her like a sudden blow. Shock and disbelief washed over her face. Her eyes widened in stunned silence, searching her mother's face for any sign of jest or misunderstanding. It was as if time stood still for a moment as she struggled to process the weight of what she had just heard.

Her mother's claim seemed utterly surreal, and for a fleeting moment, she wondered if her mother's weakened state had caused her to become delusional. Yet, despite her disbelief, a seed of doubt took root in her mind, planting the unsettling question: What if it were true?

Maybe dementia had suddenly seized control of her mother's mind. Perhaps it was Tamara's own distinctiveness that made it difficult for her mother to recognize her. After all, Brianna bore a striking resemblance to their mom. Tamara could only recognize her because she had seen her reflection countless times. With her blond hair, blue eyes, and plump cheeks, Brianna characterized a wholesome, corn-fed beauty.

Tamara's appearance differed markedly. With her brown hair, tan skin, and enigmatic midnight brown eyes, she resembled her father. This resemblance had been a source of solace for Tamara, who often felt like she didn't quite fit in with the Sinclairs. She had sometimes imagined herself as a changeling, swapped in to replace their true child.

Whatever the reason behind her mother's revelation, Tamara attempted to brush it off, to not let it affect her personally. However, despite her efforts, she found herself unable to shake off the impact of her mother's words. Try as she might, she couldn't help but feel deeply affected by the revelation.