Anne with an e- a new version of the story

Chapter 84 - PADDLING AGAINST THE TIDE

ANNE

- Have you gone mad, Anne? I can't believe you're actually going to do this. - Anne heard Diana say indignantly.

They were in Green Gables, in the little redhead's room, and while her friend talked to her as if she were committing the worst sin in the world, Anne watched the raindrops hit the glass of her window and run down like tears, her own tears, which she could no longer avoid whenever she thought about the direction her life had taken.

How was it possible that almost two months ago she had been so happy living a fairytale, and suddenly everything had collapsed into a bad dream that she could no longer wake up from? She turned to Diana, who was waiting for her answer, with her hands on her waist and a grave expression on her face, and said in a tired voice.

- What choice do I have? Gilbert wants to see Sabrina, and I promised I'd take her to him.

- Anne, do you realise what you're doing? Are you going to hand Gilbert over to this immoral woman? - Diana was so angry that her voice was shaking.

- He doesn't remember me, Diana. What do you want me to do? - Anne asked, her eyes full of anguish.

- Why don't you just say that you're his fiancée? Why are you hiding in this role of friend that is eating you up inside? - Diana approached her and put her hands on Anne's shoulders.

- I don't know what to do, Diana. I'm trying to be strong, but it's so hard. - A tear ran down the corner of Anne's eye and lodged in the crook of her neck.

- I know it's not easy, but I don't think bringing Sabrina here is going to solve anything. - Diana said, trying to support Anne.

- And how do you think I'm feeling? This girl is everything I despise in life, but Gilbert remembers her more than he remembers me, whom he promised to love for the rest of his life. Do you know how humiliated I feel? - Anne lowered her head and looked dejectedly at the floor.

She knew Diana was right. It was crazy to bring Sabrina close to Gilbert, but he had asked her for that favour, how could she deny him? She would do whatever she could to see him happy. That was her goal in life now. Even if her heart was machine-gunned a thousand times by pain, she couldn't stay away from him. Perhaps that was loving unconditionally, putting the other person's happiness above her own, even if that happiness meant the death of her own illusions.

- Darling, I can't imagine everything you're going through. - Diana said - but I'm here to support you. We're like sisters, Anne. Your pain is my pain. - Anne looked at Diana gratefully. What would she be without her beloved friend by her side?

- Thank you, Diana. All I wanted was for this situation to be over soon. I'm so exhausted. But as far as I can see, I won't be able to find peace any time soon. - Anne said disconsolately.

She had been visiting Gilbert every day, because she couldn't bear to imagine her away from her and inside that hospital. They would talk, she would read books to him, and then Anne would return to Green Gables with the feeling that she had left part of her heart behind.

Gilbert continued to treat her as a friend, and that broke her heart. She'd tried to make him remember things by smell or taste, but hadn't had much success.

Anne had even made him the doughnuts he loved so much in an attempt to get the flavour to bring back old memories, but apart from the fact that he loved the soft, sugary texture of the treat, it didn't lead him to remember anything in particular.

Of course, she noticed his glances at her, especially when he thought Anne was oblivious to what was going on around her. Gilbert seemed to follow her around the hospital room, carefully observing her every move, as if Anne were his most interesting object of study.