003: Overwhelmed

Elena

Huh! Where am I? A soft bed, white ceiling, the smell of medicine, disinfectants… Hospital! I’m in a hospital. At least I’m not dead, but I was in my room at dawn. How…

“First of all, congratulations, Mrs Simpson. You’re pregnant.” A young man walked into the room and broke the news that shocked me into silence.

“Calm down, ma’am. Just take a deep breath, okay? You’re in the hospital.” Judging from the white gown and his utterances, I bet he’s a doctor.

“Doctor, you said I’m pregnant? Are you sure you have the right diagnosis? How did I get here?” I can’t believe this. When was the last time Ronan even touched me?

“Mrs. Simpson, you passed out in your room last night. Your housekeeper brought you here. He’s waiting outside as we speak.” Oh, so that’s what happened, huh?

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but we need to abort the baby. It’s the only way to keep you safe.”

What the heck! I just found out about my pregnancy, and now I need to abort the baby to keep me safe. Safe from what? Did I have an ectopic pregnancy? Was that why I didn’t feel any symptoms of pregnancy?

“Doctor… What’s wrong with me?”

“Due to your unconscious state, we ran several tests when you arrived—including a CT scan. We noticed a shadow in your brain.” What’s all this? I just need to understand what’s wrong with me.

“Doctor, please speak English. What’s wrong with me?” This couldn’t be good news. His look said it all.

“You have a third-stage brain tumour, Mrs Simpson. We can remove it through surgery, but we need to abort your baby and start the treatment right away. Your child cannot survive such treatment.”

"What are my chances?"

"If we start treatment now, your chances are seventy percent." There's still a thirty percent probability that I wouldn't make it. even if I started treatment immediately. Tsk!

As I walked out of the ward, I stumbled and nearly fell. I was unable to come to terms with anything the doctor said. It’s impossible! How could they ask me to hurt my child so easily? Meanwhile, if I didn’t have an abortion, I would die.

“You have about ten to eighteen months to live, but without treatment, you may be unable to carry the pregnancy to full term. There are no certainties if you refuse treatment, and I can’t even promise you’d live for the next ten months…” Those were his words that won’t leave my head.

A brain tumour... I’m pregnant and dying. Could anyone be as unfortunate as me?

“Madam…” The housekeeper called out, snapping me from my trance.

“Thank you for bringing me here, Benson. I only collapsed due to low blood sugar. You don’t need to look so scared.” I tried to act normal, as I couldn’t tell anyone about this.

___

Old mansion

“My child, what do you mean by that? Are you angry with Ronan? Did that brat bully you again? Just speak to me. I’ll give him a piece of my mind, okay? Don’t joke with such words.”

My father-in-law had the thought that I was only throwing a tantrum. Was there ever a time I threw a tantrum since marrying Ronan? Tsk! I guess they won’t blame me for doing that now. I need Ronan now more than ever. He could at least accompany me in my final moments.

“Uncle Simpson, it’s not like that. The divorce is already settled. I only came to say goodbye to you and Auntie since I’ll be leaving town.”

“Elena…”

“Uncle Simpson, I still remember how kindly you and Auntie treated me since my father became a vegetable. You gave me a home I could call my own. You became my family, and I am forever grateful.” This has been my home for close to a decade. How could I forget it in a hurry?

“If she wants to leave, just allow her to go. After all, she already said no one bullied her. She chose to marry my son, and unlike him, she was never forced into the union. Why must you force her to stay when she doesn’t wish to?” My mother-in-law must be doing a break dance in her head because she thought I was finally divorcing her son.

I really didn’t have it in me to be angry with her. This woman has been the closest thing I knew to a mother all my life. She only treated me with contempt when she convinced herself that I was barren and couldn’t give her any grandchildren. Ronan was her only son, after all, whereas I was a charity case who could never match up to her beloved son.

Well, I would be gone before he knew it.

“Shut up, Delores! If you don’t have anything to say, just keep quiet. How do you expect her to report your son when Elena is so kind?” I don’t want a fight to break out between the couple because of me. I think it’s best I left here already. Mission accomplished.

“Auntie, Uncle, there is nothing to be so worked up about. Even though I’m divorcing Ronan, you’ll always be my family. I’ll never forget everything you’ve done for me."

Clap! Clap!

“I knew you’d be here doing what you do best, Elena. When would you stop manipulating people to do your bidding?” Ronan suddenly joined us in the living room, spitting venom the moment he spotted me. What’s more noticeable was the scornful gaze he fixed on me. It was as if I were an enemy he’d rather avoid.

How long has he been eavesdropping on our conversation? Well, it changed nothing, because Uncle Simpson would ensure he wouldn’t go through with the divorce. I know this is selfish of me, but they could just take it as a dying woman’s last wish.

[Pa!!!]

Uncle landed a harsh slap on Ronan’s right cheek, leaving a ghastly handprint. There was absolute silence. “You scoundrel! How dare you! He spat in anger, pointing a trembling finger toward Ronan.

“No one is getting a divorce, and that is final!” Uncle Simpson declared authoritatively, and Ronan gave me a scornful look.

“What happened three years ago was a mistake, Dad. You will no longer force me to marry someone I never loved. This time around, I will chase my happiness, and you will not stop me from being with Darcy!”

Ronan’s jab pierced my heart like a knife, but I chose to be silent. I would not show him my tears. Who cares if he never loved me? I still wish for him to accompany me in my last days. They could wait for ten months.

“Dad…” Ronan rushed to support his father from hitting the floor.

“Wake up… Wake up… Gerald…” Aunt Delores whiffled him, trying to wake him up, but Uncle Simpson just wouldn’t move. I hope nothing bad happened to him; otherwise, I would never forgive myself for coming here.

The mother and son pushed me to the side, but I didn’t care. I needed to get the ambulance!

___

Uncle Simpson has been in the emergency room for almost an hour, yet no one has come to tell us anything. The corridor was eerily quiet, reminding me of my diagnosis. This whole place was so stifling. I wish Uncle would wake up soon.

“I don’t care what your end game is, Elena, but pray that nothing happens to my father. If he comes to any harm, I’ll make sure you regret it." Ronan didn’t have any qualms about threatening me, even though I already regretted my selfish actions.

“You heard my son, Elena. Ronan has already divorced you. So why did you come to my house to agitate my husband? You should have walked out of our lives peacefully, but no. You wanted to take my husband down with you.”

Auntie hasn’t been nice to me since I couldn’t give her any grandchildren, but why must she be so biased? Would they regret everything they did to me when I was finally gone? Would they even attend my funeral? I wish I could tell them I was dying, just so I could witness their expressions.

“Spare me that innocent look. Have we not paid you enough for your father’s sacrifice? You evil child! Just pray to the heavens. Pray that nothing happens to my husband, else I won’t let you off!”