Chapter 5

Melinda’s eyes slowly opened, but the bright light forced her eyelids to close back up once more. The faint sounds of voices and beeping machines swirled around her, making her head spin. As she drifted in and out of consciousness, she sensed her body being moved, the sensation of chaos surrounding her.

She managed to open her eyes again, and the light felt softer and she noticed she was in a hospital bed. An IV drip fed into her arm, and machines beeped quietly beside her. Panic gripped her as she struggled to remember how she got there.

On scanning the room, her gaze landed on Ethan’s PA who was sitting next to her, her focus on her phone. The PA looked up, relief evident on her face, and she quickly dialed a number on her phone.

“She’s awake, Sir,” she said into the phone. Turning to Melinda, she gently uttered, “Ma’am, please hold on, let me call the doctor.”

A few minutes later, the PA returned with a tall, young doctor in a lab coat and a stethoscope around his neck.

“Welcome back Ma’am. I'm Doctor Jin. How're feeling?” the doctor said with a smile on his face.

“I feel okay?” Melinda stammered.

“Okay, let's check your vitals,” Dr.Jin said as he began his examination, his eyes scanning the machine beside her bed.

“How long have I been here, doctor?” Melinda enquired.

“For about 24 hours Ma’am. We've conducted some tests and it seems you've experienced a stress-induced blackout.” Dr.Jin explained.

“Individuals with achondroplasia like yourself tend to suffer more from stress if care isn't taken, as a result of your short legs and arms. Have you been having severe back and joint pain lately?” he inquired.

Melinda nodded in agreement as she stared at Dr. Jin. “Yes, doctor. Recently, I've been dealing with back and joint pains but I've gotten used to it. It comes and goes from time to time.”

Dr. Jin’s expression softened with sympathy. “Don't worry, I'll prescribe some painkillers for you and we’ll keep an eye on you for today. With some rest and proper care, you'll be back on your feet in no time”.

Dr. Jin’s words were comforting to Melinda’s ears, filling her with gratitude. “Thank you so much, Doctor,” she whispered.

Dr. Jin gently patted her on the hand and smiled. “You’re welcome. Make sure to get enough rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As he left, Melinda’s gaze followed him to the door and her heart jumped. Ethan entered, his eyes scanning the room until they found Melinda. A soft but cold smile spread on his face and Melinda felt a rush of joy.

“How are you feeling today?” Ethan asked, his tone low and gentle as he approached her bed. He brushed his fingers against her chin, sending shivers down her spine.

Melinda looked at him and felt a sense of safety instantly.

“I’m fine,” she answered, her voice barely a whisper.

“I’ll be released tomorrow. They just want to make sure there are no underlying problems.”

“That’s good to hear,” Ethan said as he took a seat next to her bed, his presence exuding warmth.

“Jane, go get me my glasses from the driver downstairs” he beckoned to Jane, his assistant.

Melinda’s eyes moved to Ethan’s face and she felt a twinge of curiosity. “Does Ryan know I’m here?” she asked, her tone tinged with doubt.

Ethan’s expression turned skeptical, and he scoffed, “The young man was told yesterday but didn't even ask which hospital you were taken to, talk more of coming.”

Melinda’s heart sank, the weight of her husband’s indifference pressing on her. She wasted six years of her life on a man who didn't even care. The realization hit her hard and she knew she couldn't keep living like this.

“What about the media? Did the social media team manage to post an update online? Something to help manage the damage?” she asked, her voice tinged in concern.

“That has been handled, you don't have to worry about it” Ethan uttered as he leaned forward, placing his hands on his knees.

For a brief moment, the only sound in the room was the soft beeping of machines beside Melinda’s bed. Ethan’s eyes fixed on Melinda, narrowing into her soul as she sat there. Then without warning, he blurted out,

“When are you going to step up and love yourself? Do you hate yourself that much to put up with a man that doesn't give a shit about you? You're here in the hospital and he's nowhere to be found” Ethan scolded, his voice filled with frustration and concern.

Melinda’s eyes filled with tears, which she quickly wiped away. In an attempt to change the topic, she stuttered, “Can you please order food for me? I'm hungry. And please where’s my phone?”

Ethan shook his head as he gave her a disappointing look. Taking his phone from his pocket, he dialed his PA to get food for Melinda.

——

“Thank you, Jane,” Melinda uttered as she walked towards her front door, Jane by her side. It was the weekend and this made Melinda feel relieved as she had extra time to rest without the stress of work. She opened the door to find Ryan lounging comfortably in the parlor chair, watching TV.

“Oh, you're back,” he said, barely glancing at her as she entered.

Melinda’s eyes scanned the room, taking in the dirty plates on the kitchen counter and Ryan’s boxers carelessly draped over one of the parlor chairs. Something broke inside her.

“Heard you passed out at work. I was so busy at work, I just had time today. Was planning on coming to see you” Ryan continued as he turned his gaze at Melinda.

For a moment, Melinda just stood there, staring at the open air. She then walked past Ryan and headed straight to the bedroom. With a deep breath, she emerged back into the parlor.

“I never thought I'd have the courage to give you these papers. But Ryan, today I realized we were never meant to meet. I spent all this time believing I was nothing without you, and that you were what I deserved. How wrong I was. I'm done Ryan and this time I mean it.” she said calmly.

“These are the divorce papers, please sign them,” she continued, stretching her hands.

Silence filled the room, the only sound being the ticking of the clock and the voices on the TV.

Ryan’s face twisted in disdain as he scoffed, his eyes burning with rage. He stood up and advanced towards Melinda, his movements threatening, causing her to instinctively retreat, her heart pounding.

He then seized the divorce papers from her grasp and ripped them to shreds, the sound echoing in the parlor.

“You think this piece of paper means shit to me?” he mocked.

“You’re mine! Mine forever!” he continued.

Tears filled Melinda’s eyes as she implored Ryan, her voice trembling. “Ryan, please let’s not make this harder than it already is!”

“Just pack your bags and leave my house!” she continued as she stumbled back, her gaze locked on Ryan’s enraged expression.

Ryan’s laughter sent shivers through her body. “Your house?!” he echoed, his eyes sparkling with mockery.

“Ryan, this is my house and you know this!”

“Well then, the house is built on my land so if anybody is leaving, it’s you!

“The land was given to us by your mother to build our home on Ryan!”

“Which makes it mine bitch!”

“Then sell the land to me. Heck! I'll buy it at any amount.”

“Over my dead body will I sell this land to you! If you want your house, pull it off my land and get out!” Ryan flared with rage, his voice deep and threatening.

Melinda felt her resolve crumbling, her body shaking with fear and fatigue. She clutched the back of the chair to steady herself, her vision starting to fade.

Just as Ryan’s rage seemed to reach its peak, a knock at the door shattered the tension. Ryan stormed out to answer it, his face still contorted with anger.

Melinda heard voices, low and authoritative. “Mr Ryan, you're under arrest for….” The words faded into the background as Melinda felt herself collapsing, her body weak and unresponsive.

Ryan’s shouts echoed into the room, growing fainter as he was taken away. “Melinda! Baby! Baby! Hey!” Ryan’s desperate plea melted away as Melinda struggled to stay awake.

Gradually, everything went blur… then dark…