“I wanted it.” A sadness fell over me, remembering how I had felt when I realised my best friend was evil, Lisa-Marie was dead, and Stephen had gone home.
“I’m sorry, Cassie. I know you’re hurting.”
Michael’s sympathetic half-smile was endearing. It instantly eased me. Just having him near me made me feel so much better.
“Thank you. I’m glad you’re here.” I offered Michael a smile and he exhaled again.
“So what was it you wanted to tell me?” he asked
“Michael!” a voice shouted from the distance.
We both shot our heads up in the direction of the voice. My breath nearly caught. “Stephen?” My smile was wide as my heart began racing.
Suddenly, his face changed. It was as if he was trying to study me, trying to figure out what I was thinking.
“This was what I wanted to tell you.” Michael’s panicked gaze settled on my face.
“I don’t understand.” I searched his eyes, then peered over at Stephen. His smile was there, but there was something different about him. Something strange.
“This is Simeon…Stephen’s twin.”
“Nice to finally meet you.” Simeon extended his hand, but I was still in shock. He was a replica of Stephen. He even sounded like Stephen.
He dropped his hand. “I’m sorry. This must be a shock to you. I just assumed you already knew.”
“I was in the middle of telling her when you came in.” He turned his face to me. “I’m sorry, Cassie.”
Somehow, I found my voice. “It’s okay. I’m sorry, Simeon. You just look so much like him.” I offered him a smile, but I couldn’t help the sadness I felt. Seeing him here was like torture.
I turned toward Michael. “Well, it would seem you’re still full of secrets, Michael.” The look I gave him made him wince a little.
“Sorry. There are just things that have to be left unsaid, just in case—” He stopped for a moment and sighed. “If I tell you things, there might be a knock-on effect. One that would make you—” He paused again. He was obviously having a hard time choosing his words.
“Remember?” I offered.
He looked me in the eye and smiled. “Yes, you could say that.”
“So you’re Stephen’s twin?” I asked, looking at Simeon again.
“Yes, although I wouldn’t say we are quite the same.”
“You got that right.” The minute I said it, I threw my hand over my mouth. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know from where that came. I don’t even know you.”
“That’s okay. Stephen would be happy to hear that anyway.” Simeon offered me a courteous smile, whilst Michael glared at him.
What’s his problem? He was fine a minute ago, but now that Simeon was here, he was kind of off.
“So, where have you just come from? Who were you protecting?” Changing the subject seemed to be the best course of action right now.
“I’ve just come back from Australia, and his name is Matt. He’s a right pain in the arse.” Simeon cleared his throat. “Sorry—just slipped out.”
For a moment, I smiled at him. His infectious grin stared back at me and I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes off him.
Suddenly, a voice from out of nowhere crept into my mind. He’s not Stephen!
I had to shake my head because one, I had to rise out of this stupor—and fast—and two, I thought I might be hearing things. Although the voice was a woman’s, it didn’t sound like me at all.
“Are you okay, Cassie?” Michael gently squeezed my hand and frowned.
“I’m fine. Thank you.” I paused to take a deep breath. “Is he okay?” I turned my attention back to Simeon.
“What’s that?” Simeon’s eyebrow arched slightly, causing me to gasp a little.
I cleared my throat. “Matt… Is he okay?”
“Oh. Yeah. He’s fine. I had to tell him some random story about his soul being ripped from him if he ever breathed a word of this to anyone.”
My eyes were like saucers. Simeon saw my expression and giggled. “I’m only kidding! You don’t think I would really say that, do you?”
“Simeon, are you here to bid farewell?” Michael gazed upon his brother, glaring again.
“No, actually. I thought I would hang around with you guys for a little while. I kind of like it on earth. So many things going on at the same time. So many adventures to take, people to meet.”
Michael shot up out of his seat. “Simeon, I think we need to talk. Come with me.”
Michael led Simeon out of the ward. I was a little miffed I couldn’t be privy to their conversation. I could understand Michael being annoyed at Simeon being here. Maybe Michael just wanted it to be the two of us and no one else.