Elena
Where am I? A soft bed, white ceiling, the smell of medicine, disinfectants… 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 doctor walked into the room, dressed in a white coat, broke the news with a gentleman's smile, looking handsome.
“Calm down, ma’am. Just take a deep breath, okay? You’re in the hospital.”
“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.”
...?
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 found an irregular shadow in your brain.”
What’s all this? I just need to understand what’s wrong with me.
“Doctor, please speak plainly. What’s wrong with me?” This couldn’t be good news. His look said it all.
“You have a third-stage brain tumor, Mrs. Simpson. We can remove it through surgery, but we need to abort your baby and start the treatment immediately. 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 tumor... I’m pregnant and dying. Sweet and painful. 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 just 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 tell me. I’ll give him a piece of my mind, okay? Don’t joke with such words.”
My father-in-law probably thought I was just 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 they 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! Clap!
“I knew you’d be here doing what you do best, Elena. When will you stop manipulating people to do your bidding?” Ronan suddenly joined us in the living room, spitting venom when 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 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'll chase my happiness, and you won't 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 aside, 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 endgame is, Elena, but pray nothing happens to my father. If he comes to any harm, I’ll make sure you regret it." Ronan had no qualms about threatening me, even though I regretted my selfish actions.
“You heard my son, Elena. Ronan's 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 so that 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 nothing happens to my husband, or else I won’t let you off!”
Elena"You should have walked out of our lives peacefully, but no. You wanted to take my husband down with you.” Those words coming from Auntie felt like a slap in the face. Am I so forgettable? Why do I always get rejected by the people I’ve come to trust so much?My father was a military man in the same unit as Uncle Simpson. The two were so close that my father didn’t think twice about saving Uncle Simpson when they went on a very dangerous mission. After that incident, Uncle Simpson felt like he owed his life to him. We were also neighbours, which made our relationship even closer.I grew up considering Aunt Delores my mother. We were incredibly close, even more so than she was with her daughter. I didn’t have a mother while growing up, and for the longest time, it was Dad and I. Mom left when I was only five, and I never heard of her again since then. Now, the person I grew to love as a mother was telling me to get out of her life.Why must Auntie treat me this way just because
Elena“Madam, welcome home.” I just got back to our home, but before I could walk through the front door, the butler rushed toward me and greeted me too enthusiastically for my liking. I didn't know what he was trying to do or say, but I was too exhausted to pay attention to anything else. I felt lightheaded and weak, hence, I only wished to take a warm bath, eat something, and have a shut eye. I need the peace and quiet for my peace of mind right now. “Benson, you're standing in my way. What's happening?” I could hear how faint my voice was. My situation was that bad, and I could pass out at any moment if care wasn't taken. I haven't had a single bite since yesterday's breakfast. “Madam, forgive my impudence, but it's not advisable that you go in right now. In fact, I suggest you sleep outside tonight.”What the heck! Could someone tell me what was happening here? “Benson!” I used all the energy I could muster in calling out to him, and he could tell I was exhausted. More so, I
ElenaThe charity gala was still being discussed online. I felt like a discarded shoe when I saw all the blessings and well wishes the two received. What broke me more was a comment that Darcy and Ronan should just get married already. “Dear, I’m so sorry; my boss just assigned me an impromptu client, so I can’t accompany you today. I’ll make it up to you, Elena. I’m truly sorry.” We haven’t seen each other in the past three years, and I was looking forward to having a good time with Nancy. “It’s okay, Nancy. Take care of yourself. I’ll be fine here.” Being a busy lawyer was much better than being a desperate housewife trapped in marriage.I was soon at a maternity and baby products store. The TV displayed pictures of babies and the various baby items available. It was so cute that I couldn’t help but walk in.“Welcome, madam.” A cheerful sales attendant approached me with a contagious smile plastered across her face. I smiled unconsciously, getting pulled into her jolly mood. Sp
ElenaThe clouds began to gather, and the streets of Lockwood were soon becoming empty. Everyone was hurrying toward their destinations, but a certain individual walked among the sea of people like a headless chicken. Her steps were sloppy, her eyes looked puffy, and her whole appearance screamed one word-pitiful! The lonely figure was none other than myself, Elena Jones. I didn’t know what direction my life would take from now?The more unloved I felt, the more confused I was about bringing a child into this cruel world, or should I just leave with the baby? Suddenly, I was jolted to my senses and moved out of the way reflexively. A few young men on motorcycles began to cackle provocatively while surrounding me. One of the riders nearly ran over me. Landing butt-down on the ground, my senses kicked in.I was in trouble!There were three men in total, and each one was scarier than the next. One of them had scorpion tattoos spanning from the right side of his face down to his nec
RonanSeveral Hours Ago: “What! Are you serious?” I blurted in shock, grabbing my phone tightly. I didn’t wish to believe what I was hearing, but it’s Elena and David Spencer we’re talking about here.“Calm down, Ronan. A college friend just gave me the information. I don’t know if that’s true, but many people know how close they were. Maybe someone just overreacted. Go and see for yourself..” Darcy’s voice sounded hesitant, and I felt it as she tried to hold back more information. Even at a time like this, she still tried to speak up for Elena. How could Elena despise someone as accommodating as Darcy?I disconnected the call without bidding Darcy goodbye, because her attempts at defending Elena were getting on my nerves. Those two had history, and I would be a fool to believe that this was merely a coincidence. Opening my tracker app, I quickly found where Elena was, and drove to the hospital after entering the GPS coordinates. Along the way, a thousand and one thoughts run thro
RonanMy mind conjured images of Elena in David’s embrace. How dare she do this to me? Yes, I don’t love her. However, I never led her on. In our three years of marriage, I never tried to raise her hopes. Elena, on the other hand, didn’t stop reminding me how much she loved me. She always told me I was her first and last in everything, and I felt my heart swell whenever she made those comments. I guess the only thing I beat that Spencer guy in was being the first man to take her virginity.“Why am I so pissed off about Elena being in the hands of her old flame?” It must be because she had been lying to me for the longest time. I wished I could get to hit that David guy once again. I should have beaten him to a pulp and broke some bones, even. Then I’ll see how he’d dare to touch my woman again. “Shit!”I quickly swerved an oncoming vehicle just now, and would have been involved in an accident if I didn’t react fast enough.“How dare you occupy my head like this, Elena Jones?” I pack
ElenaIt’s the third day of being admitted to the Saint City General Hospital, and I must say I had a lot of rest. My mind hasn’t been so at peace in a long time. I feared I might even grow too many pounds from lying here and eating all the good food that Benson brought daily.The doctor didn’t want me to go home until everything was okay with both the baby and myself. I wouldn’t blame him for trying to be careful. After all, whenever we met, I was in terrible shape.“Okay, Mrs Simpson. You are free to go home now.” Finally! I get to get to leave this bed. It’s so funny how the doctor hasn’t allowed me to step an inch out of my ward or watch television. He even made Benson cease my phone, saying I only needed to sleep and get my pressure to reduce before I left the hospital. Now he was finally ready to release me.“Thank you, doctor.” “Don’t thank me, Mrs Simpson. Just take good care of yourself. I really wish I could say I don’t want to see you here again.” We both chuckled at his at
Elena“Elena, dear, it’s so good to see you.” As soon as I stepped through the door, Uncle Simpson’s exaggerated reaction alerted everyone to my arrival. He looked much more relaxed, as compared to how I met him five days ago. Standing before my father-in-law right now, I felt guilty for not visiting him since we left the hospital. “Uncle, I’m so sorry for not coming to see you all…” I was about to say more when he beat me to it. “Come on, Elena. Why must you be so hard on yourself? You’ve brought me flowers every single day I spent in this hospital. Who cares if you couldn’t be here for only two days?” What? Me? Flowers? When did I send him the flowers, and how did I only leave out two days? This man! He was clearly lying with such a straight face. Even I wouldn’t have detected the lie, if I didn’t know better. “Come over here, my child. Don’t just stand there.” Uncle Simpson held my hand tenderly, unconsciously taking my mind to how my father used to hold my hands. “Don’t be too
Elena“You know you don’t need to come with me, right? I’m leaving town briefly, Valerie. Where I’m going, you cannot come with me. Just go back home and take care of your parents.” I tried to dissuade this stubborn mule for the umpteenth time, but she wouldn’t even respond to me. Knowing Valerie as much as I do, I needed no one to tell me that she had already made up her mind.I wouldn’t have a problem with her coming along on a normal day, since I was already back anyway. Everyone who needed to see me had already done that, and I didn’t stand a chance of avoiding them anymore. However, this was Valerie we were talking about here. Valerie Simpson. How could I allow her to know about the existence of my son-A Simpson I secretly hid? I wanted Liam to live a peaceful life without worrying about a thing. How could I allow the Simpsons to come into his life at this point? Wouldn’t that be asking for trouble?“Elena, if I hadn’t known you long enough, I would have sworn you really want t
Ronan“Darcy Taylor, where the heck did you hide the paparazzi this time around, huh?” I shut the car door and stepped down from the vehicle, looking toward a specific corner. She trembled when my sight landed on her, but I didn’t care. I had no intention to share the same space with this two-faced bitch. I might just go away for murdering someone with such thick skin as hers.Darcy kept shaking her head, but I knew she was just shocked that I found out about her schemes. This was just a conjecture, but seeing her reaction now, I knew I couldn’t be more right than I already am. How could I have been this stupid? I was really a fool all these years. Every time we got together or found ourselves in compromising situations, our pictures ended up in the public domain. Even our videos were never spared. Until I saw her video where she narrated to the media about my family stepping all over her because she wasn’t from a powerful background like ours, I was still of the view that there wa
Ronan“How could I just lie down here in the name of being sick.” I won’t accept this. I need to find Elena without her knowing I was snooping around. How could I just sit here and wait without doing anything? Elena came back to me. She’s not dead. I don’t know how she did it, but I must see her now. “Elijah, I need to visit the old mansion. Prepare the vehicle.” I didn’t wait for Elijah to even react from his shock when I decided to put myself together and do this. I already called Z to send me Elena’s current location, and I was taken aback when he responded just now. Elena visited dad because he was the only one in the family who was still good to her up to the time she left. How could my wife be somewhere, and I’ll be watching her through pictures and videos while lying on a hospital bed? “Boss, if you do this, Ms Jones won’t forgive you easily. Don’t forget she already hid from you for so many years. She wouldn’t be willing to meet you so easily.” How could a grown ass man be
ElenaI didn’t need to turn around to know that the person who spoke up just now is none other than my dearest mother-in-law. I don’t know what tricks she has up her sleeves right now, but I really don’t give a damn! Maybe she finally got tired of hiding behind the pillar. One may never know.I had no plans of acknowledging someone as fickle as Delores Simpson. These types of people who felt they could only be close to others until they lost their value to them are the most dangerous. One might never know when they even got destroyed by those sorts of people. I wasn't surprised when everyone else ignored her, though.“Elena, please say yes. Please… Please… Please…” No matter how cute Valerie’s expressions were, I found no reason to accept their offer. They were being ridiculous to think I would leave Grand Ambience to manage the Simpson Group. It has never been my plan to leech off the Simpsons, and it never will. “Valerie Simpson, don’t you feel any shame? How could you do this to y
Elena “Oh, Elena, my child, you have suffered. You really have been through a lot.” Uncle Simpson remarked, grabbing my hand tightly. It was as if he wanted to glue my palm to his and be sure I was really the one. He didn’t wish to let go, and I could feel it. “Uncle…” I also grabbed his hands tightly, but still made sure not to overdo it. I stared at this man who seemed to have aged many years since the day I left. Searching his gaze, I tried to find something to say to dissuade him. I wanted to tell him I was okay, and that he should just rest assured that I wasn’t going anywhere. However, I only stared at him with conflicted emotions. How could I say something to him and mean a different thing? No. I wouldn’t do that. It was better for everyone to separate on a clean slate. I wasn’t ready to face Mrs Simpson and her son anymore. “I’m fine, Uncle, you have no reason to worry at all.” Being the observant veteran Uncle Simpson was, I knew he already picked whatever was going on in
ElenaThat voice. Uncle Simpson. My body trembled at the closeness, yet the distance between us was equally wide. He stood a few feet away from me, and I could tell that he found it difficult to move his feet. He would have already wondered if this was a dream, or if it was real. “Elena, my child. Is that you? Please, tell me you’re the one. Or do I miss you so much that I’ve started imagining things?” At those words, I felt so bad for Uncle Simpson that I turned around swiftly, showing my face to him.My heart was in my mouth, not because I was scared, but due to the suddenness of everything. I didn’t do anything wrong, after all, hence, I had no reason to beret over anything. The hidden joy buried at the bottom of my heart exploded at the moment I saw Uncle Simpson take a few unsteady steps backward. This proud man… Crying… Uncle Sinpson was crying because he didn’t believe he could ever meet me again in this lifetime. I could feel his pain, because I had the same thought. I pl
Elena My talks with Valerie were all light conversations about catching up on a lot of old time stuff. I really missed her, and no matter what her brother did, I could never punish Valerie for his misdeeds.Now, all I had to do was to take her word for it and visit Uncle Simpson. According to Valerie, he had been grieving since the day he heard about my diagnosis. It was so bad that they feared his old condition that had been stable all these years might relapse. The main point was that if it relapsed, they couldn’t be so sure that it wouldn’t claim his life this time around. He really took the information too badly..After all, he was already convinced that I stopped contacting him because I died. I could never allow Uncle Simpson to suffer so much and keep grieving for me when I was safe and sound. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if anything happened to him. Now, my car zoomed into the old mansion of the Simpson family, and the driver prompted me that we were here. Looking a
Elijah Greene“Calm down, boss. Please calm down. I’ll tell you everything you need to know, but let’s not talk about seeing her now, okay?” I spoke to Ronan as if he were a child that I needed to coax with a piece of candy. Ronan Simpson couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His assistant truly treated him like a child, huh? I knew I might just start sending out applications for employment in the next minute. “Do you want to find another job, Mr Greene?” The boss’ words caught me unawares, and I even choked on my spit. Didn’t I just jinx myself. As soon as I thought about it, he said it. That’s some sick shit right there. I got a wife to wed soon enough, and I couldn’t bear to lose my job. Not now, not ever. My eyes bulged from the shock, and I couldn’t believe my ears. Wait. I might have gotten something wrong, because I don’t get it. “Did the boss just call me Mr Greene? What the heck? Isn’t this what people usually refer to as telepathy?” I mused silently, allowing my jaws tt
RonanI had to do a lot to finally get Benson to bring my mobile phone here. I couldn’t believe my own housekeeper paid more attention to my old man than to me, his boss. What’s worse, I couldn’t even threaten to fire him. Since Elena left, the had never been the same. Even after giving him so many months off to spend more time with his family, he still returned sulking. I realized there was nothing I could do to make him return to the old Benson I knew. Since he silently Ames me for Elena’s departure, I had to resort to cheap tricks to get him to release my phone to me. In the end, he couldn’t resist the temptation of seeing Elena back in the house. So, with the promise of seeing Elena again, Benson disregarded my father’s instructions and returned my phone. I bet he missed my ex-wife more than I did, huh?“Boas… B…Boss… Boss… You won’t believe this.” Elijah rushed into my room with a flustered look. He was so agitated that I wondered if anyone was chasing. When I looked behind hi