Chapter 7
After I was discharged from the hospital, I wasted no time moving out of the house that had once been my home. On the day we finalized the divorce, Colin looked much thinner, his face gaunt, and his eyes.
hollow.
I held the divorce certificate in my hand, the weight of it lifting my spirits. I walked out with light steps, feeling an overwhelming sense of freedom.
But just as I was about to leave, Colin grabbed my sleeve, kneeling on one knee at the entrance of the civil affairs office. He pulled out a ring, his eyes filled with desperation and hope.
“Eloise,” he said, his voice trembling, “I know you’re angry. I was wrong. But I want to make it right. Let me pursue you again. Let’s start over, okay?”
He pleaded, almost frantic. “You don t have to say yes now. Just… give me a chance. Over time, you ll see how sincere I am.”
I barely glanced at him, my eyes drawn to the figure standing behind him–Siena, clutching her pregnant belly, looking lost and unsure.
The once confident and triumphant woman now seemed pitiful, her eyes darting between us. “Colin,” Siena called softly, her voice trembling, ‘didn’t you say you‘ d’come with me for my prenatal checkup?”
A sharp pang of sadness gripped me. My child had died too soon, and now this woman, the cause of so much pain, stood here carrying her own.
Colin’s face twisted in irritation. He turned to Siena, his voice dripping with disdain. “It’s not my child, Siena. How many times do I have to tell you? Stop bothering me.”
Siena looked crushed, her eyes filling with tears. She tried to pull at Colin’s arm, attempting to get him to stand. “But Colin… we can be together now. You‘ re already divorced. I like you, I always have.”
I couldn’t stand their pitiful display any longer. Without a word, I turned to leave.
Colin‘ s panic rose as he saw me walk away. He pushed Siena aside, desperate to stop me. The force of his shove caused her to stumble, and she collapsed to the ground, clutching her stomach.
“Colin, my stomach… it hurts,” she gasped, her voice filled with pain.
I turned back, startled, and saw the blood pooling beneath her. My instincts as a doctor kicked in immediately. It was obvious–she was miscarrying.
But Colin merely glanced at her, irritation plain on his face. “I ll call an ambulance. Just wait here, he muttered as if she were a nuisance.
People had started to gather, whispering amongst themselves as Siena sobbed on linger. This scene wasn t my problem anymore.
the ground. I didn’t
As I walked away, Colin shouted after me, his voice echoing in desperation. “Eloise, I won’t give up! I’ll make you fall in love with me again!”
Months passed, and I heard from mutual friends that Siena had indeed miscarried. Her life had only spiraled downward from there. Her husband, who had fled overseas, returned, dragging her back with him. The man was an abusive drunkard, prone to violence. Siena had returned to the country to escape him, but now, with no child and no Colin, she had nowhere to run.
When I heard the news, I wasn t as happy as I thought I’d be. Instead, I simply shook my head and returned to my work,
“Dr. Cromwell, there’s another bouquet for you–it’s huge!” one of the nurses exclaimed, her voice full of excitement.
I was sanitizing my hands, and without looking up, I said, “Throw them away, or take them home if you like.”
Colin had been sending me flowers every day, along with extravagant gifts–clothes, jewelry, expensive handbags. He even waited outside the hospital for me to finish my shifts, offering rides or quietly following me home if I refused.
It was as if he was trying to make up for the years of neglect and mistreatment, but I no longer felt anything for him. His relentless pursuit only exhausted me.
I knew it was time to leave this city.
Later that day, I handed in my resignation. I packed only the essentials–a few clothes, my passport, and a plane ticket–and left behind the city I had spent a decade in.
Where was I going? I wasn’t sure yet. I just wanted to take a long, overdue break, to travel and
explore the world on my own terms. For years, I had waited for Colin to join me on trips, but he always found excuses, spending his time with Siena instead.
Now, I was free.
As the plane took off, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, the chains of the past finally falling away. When I landed in a new city and turned on my phone, I saw a message from Colin waiting for me. Eloise, where did you go? I went to the hospital, and they said you resigned. I contacted your landlord, and she said you’re not renewing your lease. Please, at least let me know where you are. Even can’t be together, we can still be friends. Just tell me you’re safe. I’m really worried.]
I stared at the message for a moment before replying, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, L meet again.]
We
s never
With that, I turned off my phone, removed the SIM card, and tossed it into a nearby trash bin. As I walked out into the bright sunlight of the new city, I felt a sense of peace washing over me. My new life had finally begun.
Chapter
Chapter 8
I never imagined I would run into Colin again–especially not after five years.
It happened at my friend’s daughter’s first birthday party.
He looked much older, his once dark hair now peppered with gray. The tall, imposing man I once knew had shrunk into someone frail and diminished. Time hadn’t been kind to him.
In contrast, I was thriving. Happiness had softened my features, giving my face a glow that wasn’t there before. As soon as Colin saw me, his eyes widened, brightening with disbelief. “Eloise, its really you!” he exclaimed, rushing toward me as if grasping at a lifeline. Before I could even process his approach, a hand reached out, gently pulling me back. “Stay away from my wife,” my husband said calmly, stepping between Colin and me.
I smiled, linking my arm through my husband’s, feeling the familiar warmth of his presence. Just then,
a small child–no older than four–came running toward me, giggling as he leaped into my arms. He nestled his head against my shoulder, his laughter filling the air.
Colin stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock. His gaze darted between my husband, our child, and me, the reality slowly sinking in.
“Eloise…” His voice cracked. “You… you‘ re married… and have a child?”
I looked at my husband and our child, my heart swelling with joy.
“Yes,” I said softly, a smile tugging at my lips. “And I have you to thank for that. If you hadn’t let me go, I wouldn’t be this happy today!”
The words hit him hard. Colin began to cough violently, his hand covering his mouth as his body convulsed. When he pulled his hand away, I saw the blood he had coughed up, staining his pale skin. His face was sallow, his body gaunt and hunched, as though life itself had drained out of him.
Without another glance, I turned away with my husband and child, leaving the past behind. As the party came to an end, we made our way toward the exit. Behind us, I could hear Colin’s muffled sobs, his regret palpable in the air.
I hugged my child a little tighter, my smile growing as we stepped into the sunshine. The sun was shining brightly, and so was my future.
You might also like
