Damien Shaw The drive to the oncologist feels endless. Imogene is in the passenger seat, her face turned toward the window, but I know she’s not really seeing anything. She hasn’t said much since this morning, since the call. I glance at her, her hand resting limp in her lap, and the sight makes something twist painfully in my chest.Lily is quiet in the back, strapped into her car seat, her small voice asking every now and then. I force a smile, looking at her through the rearview mirror. “Almost there, sweetie,”I grip the steering wheel harder, my knuckles turning white, trying to hold myself together for both of them.The closer we get to the hospital, the more my stomach tightens, a knot of dread that’s been growing since the blood test results came in. I can’t shake the thought—the possibility—that today’s the day everything changes. That we’re about to hear something we can’t unhear.When we finally pull into the hospital parking lot, Imogene turns to me. There’s fea
Imogene Scott The oncologist’s words blur together. It’s a stream of medical jargon that I can’t fully grasp. “Bone marrow transplant… a match… family members…” It all echoes around me like I’m underwater, and everything else seems distant. I stare at Lily who’s now sitting on the hospital bed. Her little fingers are clutching the toy we brought from home and she’s smiling at it, making it bounce in her lap.My throat tightens. How is this happening? How is this our reality? Lily shouldn’t be here. She should be playing outside, laughing, not lying on a hospital bed with tubes in her arms. The doctor is still talking, but every word hits like a sledgehammer to my chest. "We need to find a match,” he says, and I nod because I know I’m supposed to, but my mind is still struggling to comprehend. A match. We need a match.Immediate family. That’s us. Me. Damien. Maybe one of us can save her. “We’ll start testing as soon as possible,” the doctor continues, his eyes flicking between
Damien Shaw I volunteer to be tested first. It’s the only thing I know how to do in this moment, the only thing that makes sense. “We’ll both do it,” I say, glancing at Imogene.She’s now quiet again I feel this ache in my chest because I don’t know how to fix this. I’ve always been able to fix things for us before, but this? This is beyond anything I can control. The drive to the lab is a blur. We’re accompanied by one of doctor Whitman’s specialists. Imogene is quiet, staring out the window like she’s always doing. I keep my hand on her thigh, squeezing it every now and then, but she doesn’t react. I’m terrified of what’s going through her head, of the distance growing between us, even though I know it’s not me she’s pulling away from — it’s the weight of all this.When we get to the lab, the smell of antiseptic hits me hard, and I hate it. I hate that this is our reality now, that this is where we have to be because our daughter is sick. I glance at Imogene again as they l
Damien Shaw After waiting for the test results for a few hours, the doctor finally steps out. Imogene’s head snaps up, and my heart stutters in my chest. I stand before I can stop myself as the doctor approaches.“Mr. Shaw, Mrs. Scott,” the doctor says. “The test results are in.”Imogene’s breath catches beside me. My own chest tightens.“You’re a perfect match, Mr. Shaw.”For a moment, I don’t react. A perfect match. Relief hits me hard and fast. I let out a shaky breath, my knees suddenly weak. I glance at Imogene, and she’s staring at me, wide-eyed, like she can’t quite believe it.I reach for her hand, my fingers wrapping around hers and holding on tight. “Did you hear that? I’m a match, Im.”Imogene’s lips part, but no sound comes out at first. Then, like something inside her snaps, she lets out a sob, her body trembling as she turns into me. Her face presses into my chest, her fingers clutching the front of my shirt as she breaks down. I pull her into my arms, holding her t
Imogene Scott When we finally arrive back at the oncologist hospital, I glance at Damien. I want to say something, thank him again for being here, for being the match, for stepping up in a way I never imagined he would.We both get out of the car. The cool evening air hits my face as we walk towards the entrance. The automatic doors slide open with a soft whoosh and we make our way to Dr Whitman’s office. Lily’s asleep on one of the beds in the office. She must have fallen asking whil we were away for the blood tests.She’s lying there, so small in that big bed, her tiny body curled up under the blankets. Damien moves first, walking over to her side. He kneels beside the bed, resting his hand gently on her forehead. “Shhh, baby girl,” he whispers. “Daddy’s here.” My chest tightens at the sound of his words. I watch him as he strokes her hair. This isn’t the Damien who’s always focused on himself. This is the Damien who’s scared, just like I am. The father who will do anything
Damien Shaw I wake up groggy, my body feeling heavy and sore. The first thing I notice is the dull ache in my back, where they harvested the bone marrow. It’s not unbearable, but it’s enough to remind me what just happened. I blink, trying to focus as the world slowly sharpens around me.“Mr. Shaw?” a nurse says gently. “You’re in recovery now. How are you feeling?”I clear my throat. “How’s Lily?” It’s the only thing I care about, the only thing I need to know.The nurse smiles softly, adjusting something on the IV beside me. “The transplant will happen soon. She’s doing well, and the doctors are confident the procedure will go smoothly.”Relief washes over me. I exhale, my body sinking back into the bed. The pain throbs, but it’s manageable. None of it matters as long as Lily has a fighting chance.Imogene isn’t here. She must still be with Lily, making sure everything is in place. I close my eyes, trying to imagine her standing by our daughter’s bed, her hand stroking Lily’s
Imogene Scott The days after the transplant are a blur of fear and waiting. Every small beep of the monitors, every flicker of change in Lily’s expression, sends my heart into overdrive. I can’t breathe. My mind races with worst-case scenarios, and no matter how much I try to push them away, they creep in, clawing at my sanity.I sit by Lily’s hospital bed, my fingers lightly brushing her soft curls. She looks so small under the blankets, her skin still pale, her body fighting a battle that I can’t help her with. It tears me apart. Every hour feels like a lifetime, and I cling to any shred of hope the doctors offer, though their reassurances often feel hollow. I hate that I have to rely on them, on treatments I barely understand. Damien is always nearby. He sits beside me, his hand on my shoulder or holding mine when I tremble. "She’s going to be okay," he tells me over and over again but I know he’s just as scared. I can see it in his eyes, the way they linger on Lily’s fragile
SIX MONTHS LATER…Imogene Scott The late afternoon sun filters through the large windows, casting a golden glow on the room. I stand at the door beside Damien, welcoming our guests with a smile. It’s Lily’s third birthday and I can hardly believe it. Six months ago, the very thought of celebrating anything seemed impossible. Now, here we are, surrounded by balloons, streamers, and the sound of children’s laughter filling Damien’s house.He had insisted on hosting the party at his house because he thinks it’s going to be a hassle for guests to attend a party at an apartment on the sixth floor of building. I totally disagree but I had to give in because if I didn’t, he would bring up how over the past few months, I’ve been turning down his offer for me and Lily to move in with him.I glance at Damien as he greets our guests. His hand is resting lightly on the small of my back. His smile is easy and relaxed. He leans toward me and whispers, "I can’t believe we’ve made it this far.
Imogene Scott I sit in the living room, wringing my hands together as I stare at the clock. The agency said they’d send the fourth candidate soon, but if she’s anything like the last three, I’m not sure I’ll survive the day. The first woman looked like she’d send me into an early grave with how tightly wound she was, and the second… I don’t even want to think about her. I could practically see her zoning out halfway through our conversation. The third one made me tilt my head in disbelief—a heavy coat, in this heat? On a blazing sunny day? What was she hiding under there? I shake my head, exasperated. A long sigh slips from my lips, and I sink further into the couch, staring at the sun-drenched curtains. Why is this so hard? I just want someone competent. Someone who can help me manage this house without driving me insane. The sharp ring of the doorbell jolts me upright. I spring to my feet, brushing invisible creases from my dress. Fourth time’s the charm, right? I don’t
Damien Shaw "I don’t even know who to trust anymore." The words are frustrating as they leave my mouth. I press my hands flat against the edge of my desk, gripping it harder. Gerald stands across from me, his expression carefully neutral, but I can see the tension in his jaw. “Weaknesses in our security?” I continue. “And now we’re sure someone on the inside helped with the leak?”Gerald nods. “Yes. The evidence points to internal involvement. Possibly more than one person.” The idea sinks into my chest like a stone. More than one person. It’s almost unthinkable. My team, the people I’ve trusted, built this company with—could they really be working against me? My throat tightens at the thought. “We need a full background check on every employee,” I say. “No exceptions. I don’t care how long they’ve been with the company, whether they’re at the executive level or just interns. Go through them all.”Gerald hesitates, just for a second. “That’ll take time,” he says carefull
Imogene Scott My mind is spinning as I step out of Lila’s office. Divorce papers. My father’s name on them. Lila’s isn’t. A billion-dollar check. For her? My heels echo sharply against the marble floor as I walk. In the lobby, I see the receptionist who texted me earlier and make my way toward her. She looks around nervously, then waves me over to a quieter corner. “You’re Mr. Scott’s daughter, right?” her voice low.“Yes,” I say. “Why?”She glances over her shoulder, then leans in, her voice barely above a whisper. “Your father was here the day before he was... you know. Killed. He and Lila had a huge fight in her office. I couldn’t hear what they were arguing about, but it was bad.”My stomach drops. “Do you remember anything else? Anything at all?” She shakes her head apologetically. “No, but... there’s something not right about her. She’s hiding something about this company. I’ve been here a long time, and I know when something’s off.”I blink, trying to process her word
Imogene Scott A week later… I sit in the stiff leather chair, my hands resting over my stomach. The waiting room is quiet and the door finally swings open. The doctor steps in, holding a folder. My breath hitches. This is routine, I remind myself. Routine. I’m here for my usual checkup. Alone this time. I had told Damien he didn’t have to accompany me since he’s been missing a lot work a lot lately because of me.“Mrs. Shaw,” The doctor says with a polite nod, gesturing for me to join him in his office. I follow, my heels clicking against the tile floor. His office smells faintly of antiseptic and lavender, maybe. I sit across from his desk, the folder now open in front of him. He doesn’t look alarmed, but there’s a wrinkle in his brow. “Imogene, I’m glad you came in today.” “Is everything alright?” He nods but steeples his fingers, leaning forward slightly. “The babies are fine, but your stress levels are higher than we’d like. It’s starting to show in your vitals
Imogene Scott The bedroom feels too big when Damien walks out. I sit up in bed, clutching the edge of the blanket. I let out a shaky breath, staring at the door he just closed. He’s going to ask me about therapy. I know he will. I don’t even know how to explain it. How do I tell him that sitting in that room felt like unpacking a suitcase only to realize you’ve brought nothing but broken things? That therapy didn’t feel like healing—it felt like dragging wounds out into the open and watching them bleed. I shake my head. I can’t stay in bed waiting for him to corner me. The quiet will drive me insane. I throw back the covers and swing my legs over the side of the bed. My head spins as I stand, but I grip the bedpost and steady myself. I shuffle to the door, trailing my hand along the wall as I make my way downstairs. The faint hum of the stovetop reaches my ears, along with the rhythmic sound of Damien chopping something. I stop at the edge of the kitchen and watch him.
Damien Shaw “Please, keep the investigation discreet for now,” I say firmly, meeting Gerald’s gaze. My voice is steady, but my insides churn. Gerald nods and gathers his notes before leaving my office. The door clicks shut and I sink into my seat, pinching the bridge of my nose as my temples throb. Five meetings, all back-to-back in one morning. Each one is a battlefield of strategy, damage control, and trying to piece together what the hell is happening with this damn leak. My head feels like it’s about to split open, and the office suddenly seems unbearably warm. I loosen my tie and lean back, closing my eyes for a brief moment. I need just a second—one second to breathe— My phone vibrates against the desk, shattering the silence. I grab it immediately, hoping it’s Gerald with an update, but instead, I see Imogene’s name. It’s a text: Imogene: "I don’t think therapy is good for me."My stomach twists. Therapy. The session. What happened? My thumb hovers over her nam
“Yes,” I say with a little more heat on it than I would’ve liked. “Because he believed in me. He believed I could do it.”“Okay.”“He believed in me.”“I understand.”Beat.“Can you tell me what happened after you helped him save the company?” Annie pauses to find the right words. This one I don’t want to answer but I feel like if I wiggle around it Annie will just come right back for the jugular with her follow up. I tread with caution.“Well… he got married again.”“And you?”“Yes, what about me?”“Were you in touch with him?”“Well, he had his new life. We barely kept touch.”Annie holds another of her trademark unreadable stares at me. Even though I can’t gauge the specics, I can tell there’s a lot of speculation going on. I feel theneed to add more.“Plus, we started keeping in touch again recently.” I give a little nod to punctuate my statement. I’m hoping that moved the dialon Annie’s judgment, but after a few seconds I can tell it didn’t.Annie purses her lips. “Who reached
Imogene Scott I sit down in the tufted chair opposite Dr Annie Eddie and let out a sigh. This is my first therapy session with her and I’m a little nervous. I’m only here because of Damien. Because I want to be better for him, for Lily and the twins. I tell her a few things about my life I’m comfortable telling anyone and she tells me in order to get to what’s underneath those emotions, what’s driving it, we need to unpack my life in a more comprehensive way.“Okay…” I’m hesitant. What will this entail? I hate the uncertainty.“And please, address me as Annie.” I nod. “Sure.”“Now, I want to understand more about Little Imogene,” she says tenderly. “I understand your mother died of cancer when you were just ten.”Always with the childhood, these therapists. I’ve seen enough movies and TV shows to know that this is the classic therapeutic scapegoat. Some shit happenedin your childhood, it messed you up, that’s why you are the way you are.But not me. I didn’t have an alcoholic d
Damien Shaw The kitchen smells like butter and eggs as I stand by the stove, flipping the omelette in the pan. The sizzle fills the air, and I catch the faintest scent of parsley—Lily insists she hates green things, but I sneak them in for her anyway. I glance at the clock above the sink. It’s later than I thought. Imogene is still upstairs with the doctor. I hope that goes smoothly, but something tells me it won’t. “Mummy says eggs make you strong like Superman!” Lily’s voice cuts through my thoughts as she rushes into the kitchen.“Is it ready, Daddy?” she asks.She’s peering up at me with those wide, curious eyes that make me feel like I’m doing something right in this whole parenting thing. “Just in time,” I say.I slide the omelette onto a small plate, cut it into smaller pieces, then hand it to her. “Thank you!” she chirps before scampering into the living room. I follow her with my eyes as she climbs onto the couch, settling in with her plate. A faint movement ca