Chapter 3 - Last Hope

Isabel’s POV

Facing the fear of death for the first time, I found myself clinging to the hope that my husband could be my anchor. I remembered our early days together. The joy and love that had filled our lives. Emerson had been my everything. My knight in shining armor. The memories now felt like distant dreams. He wasn’t here for me in my darkest moments. 

I spent a few more days in the hospital, under the watchful eye of a team of doctors and nurses. When they finally told me I could leave, I took a long shower in the sterile bathroom. When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t recognize myself.

My once bright blue eyes were now dull and tired, shadowed by sleepless nights and endless tears. My long blonde hair hung lifelessly around my face, lacking its usual shine.

I glanced down at my belly, still a bit swollen from the baby I once carried. The slight curve was a painful reminder of the life that had been growing inside me. A life that was now gone. I gently touched my stomach, feeling the emptiness echo through my entire being.

My cheeks were pale. My skin looked almost translucent under the harsh bathroom light. The lines of worry and grief had etched themselves deeply around my mouth and eyes, making me look much older than 25. It looked like I had aged 10 years in the past week. 

The maternity dress that I had come into the hospital with hung loosely on my frame. I leaned in closer to the mirror, searching for any sign of the vibrant, hopeful person I once was. But all I saw was a broken woman, hurt by betrayal and loss. Tears welled up in my eyes. I took a deep breath.

As I wiped away the tears, I reminded myself that I had to keep going. The battle was far from over. I needed to find the resilience within to face whatever came next.

My best friend, Emma, came to pick me up from the hospital. She has been my rock since high school, always by my side through thick and thin. She's got this striking red hair that matches her fiery personality. Her green eyes are always filled with a spark. I felt so relieved when I saw her at the hospital parking lot.

“Oh, Em,” I sobbed as she ran up to me. She held me in her arms for a long time while I cried my eyes out. As she drove me to her place in her small red car, I told her everything.

Her eyes were filled with concern and anger as she listened to my story. “How dare him!” she cursed, her voice trembling with rage. “How could they do this to you, Isa? You don't deserve any of this!”

Emma had just broken up with her boyfriend. She discovered that he had an affair. Her own heartbreak only fueled her empathy for my situation. 

“I totally get how you feel, Isa,” she said, her voice softening. “But you can’t let him get away with this. You have rights, and you need to defend them.”

Her words struck a chord with me. Emma was right. My father would be worried sick if he knew how miserable my life had become. He had always been my protector. But now, he was in a vegetative state. He had a car accident a few months back, caused by a competitor who ruined his company. The thought of my father lying helpless in a hospital bed brought fresh tears to my eyes.

I told Emma about my father's condition, the overwhelming medical expenses, and my fear of losing him. 

“You have to fight for what's yours, Isabel,” Emma urged. “Think about your father. He needs you to be strong. You deserve a fair share of everything you and Emerson built together. Demand that he helps you find a good doctor for your father. His family has connections in the medical field. Use that to your advantage.”

Emma's encouragement gave me a newfound sense of determination. I decided to give Emerson one last chance. After arriving at Emma’s quaint apartment, I picked up the phone and called him. The sound of a baby's cry in the background made my heart ache. Emerson was busy comforting Lilith and their newborn.

“Emerson,” I said, my voice trembling, “Are you choosing Lilith over me? Do you really want a divorce?”

His reply was curt and impatient. “Isabel, I'm busy right now. Can we discuss this later?”

The coldness in his voice shattered the last glimmer of hope I had. “Fine,” I said, swallowing my pride.

“I agree to the divorce. But only if you help me find a famous doctor for my father. Your family has the resources. It’s the least you can do.”

Emerson seemed taken aback by my sudden shift in attitude. “Isabel, this isn’t a game. Are you trying to manipulate me?”

“I’m not playing any tricks,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “I just want to make sure my father gets the care he needs. If you can't do that, then our marriage is truly over.”

After a long pause, Emerson’s voice turned cold. “We’ll get a divorce, but I won’t help your father. That’s your problem, not mine.”

His words were like a slap in the face. I felt my heart breaking all over again, but I forced myself to stay calm. “Alright, Emerson. Let's meet tomorrow to sign the divorce papers.”

We agreed on a time and place. I hung up the phone, feeling utterly defeated. Emma wrapped her arms around me, offering what little comfort she could. “You’ll get through this, Isabel. You’re stronger than you think.”

The next day, I prepared myself for the divorce registration. As I was about to leave, my phone rang. It was the hospital. The doctor's voice was urgent. “Isabel, your father's condition has taken a sharp turn for the worse. You need to come immediately.”