Dark Embrace

2

I slowly backed away from the door, still clutching the roses. I didn't want to confront them, not yet. I needed time to process and to think. I quietly made my way outside. Once outside, I flung the roses to the ground, watching them scatter like my heart. I got into my car and left. The sky had darkened, and clouds gathered. People were running to take shelter before the rain began. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the wheel, tears streaming uncontrollably from my eyes. What was there to think about? They called me dumb. At that thought, I stopped the car and got out. I ran, I ran until I couldn't run anymore until my legs gave out and I collapsed on the sidewalk. I lay there, crying, screaming, and laughing all at once. I started beating my chest with my hand as the rain began pouring down on me.

I hated myself for not noticing anything, there would have been signs. They were right, I was so stupid. I was so stupid that they could shamelessly bring their filthiness into my home for years without me noticing. The tears streaming down my face mingled with the rain. The rain was beating me so hard, but it was nothing compared to the pain I felt inside. The wind whipped my hair into a frenzy.

I sat in front of a cotton candy shop, lost in thought. It definitely started in college but how did I not notice? People passing by kept murmuring about why I was sitting in the rain. What was I doing? They were probably still wrapped in each other's arms, while I was here, crying and hurting. I won't give them that pleasure, never. I stood up and slowly walked back to my car. The drive was a blur, but eventually, I arrived at the hospital. I had nowhere else to go.

What would I tell Ashley? That her dad is a cheat? No, I couldn't. I couldn't face her yet, my tears would betray me.

Nurse Camilla saw me as I entered the hospital, concern etched on her face. "What's wrong?" she asked, gently guiding me to a corner. I shook my head, "I just need to be alone." She nodded and led me to my office, closing the door behind me.

I collapsed into my chair, my eyes wandering to the happy photos of Micheal and me on my desk. Anger and pain surged through me. I took down a photo and slammed it against the wall, shattering the frame. I felt a small sense of satisfaction, but it was short-lived.

Exhaustion washed over me, and I let out a deep sigh. I leaned back in the chair, my head thudding against the headrest and closed my eyes. The darkness took me, and I fell asleep to the sound of my own ragged breathing.

***

I felt a tap on my shoulder, and a soft voice calling my name. I slowly opened my eyes to find Nurse Rachel standing over me, looking worried.

"What's wrong?" I asked, standing up, ready to respond to an emergency.

"Your daughter just passed away." She said.

I widened my eyes. "What do you mean?" I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "No, not Ashely...?" I grabbed her shoulders, desperate for her to take it back.

I rushed to Ashely's ward, my heart racing. She lay still, her tiny body disconnected from the machines. I panicked, my training kicking in. I started CPR, my hands shaking as I begged her to come back. "Ashley, wake up! Oh God, please don't leave me!" I sobbed, my voice cracking with desperation. "Someone, help! I won't let her go!"

Someone pulled me back, holding me tight. I turned to Nurse Rachel, tears streaming down my face. "What happened?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"It was a relapse," she said, her own tears falling. "She couldn't overcome it. I'm so sorry."

I felt like I'd been punched again. "A relapse? But she was fine last night... Who disconnected her?" I accused, my grief turning to anger.

But it didn't matter now. My daughter was gone. I broke down, unable to accept the truth. "Please, let me go. I need a moment with her."

I was released, and I rushed back to Ashely's side. I held her lifeless body in my arms, rocking back and forth. "Ashley, please wake up," I sobbed, my voice cracking. I buried my face in her hair, inhaling her scent. "My baby, don't leave me."

I held her closer, willing her to come back to life. "I'm so sorry, Ashley. I should have saved you," I whispered, my tears falling onto her face.

It was all Micheal's fault, all his fault! And he was going to pay. I handed Ashley to Nurse Rachel and stormed out, determined to confront him. I drove straight to his law firm, the one I had sacrificed so much for. I burst into the office, ignoring the whispers and stares. I barged into his office, finding him smiling on the phone. He would never smile so genuinely for me - it was for Sophia.

Immediately, he saw me enter, and his smile disappeared, but he didn't end the call. I snatched the phone and threw it across the room. "Why Sophia?" I demanded. I really wanted to know. Why Sophia? I stood by him for years, supporting his career and trying to be a good wife, but he went for Sophia, who did nothing for him.

"What the...? Why did you do that?" he said, standing up. He furrowed his brows, eyeing my disheveled appearance, and quickly smoothed them out. "Why her?" I repeated.

"Did you...were you the one who dropped roses outside my house?" he asked, avoiding my question. I scoffed. "Your house?" I had bought that house with my own sweat and tears.

He didn't seem remorseful or apologetic; he was more proud that I found out. "Just answer me," I said, my voice shaking.

Micheal smiled, taking a step closer. "You want to know why I chose Sophia?" He leaned forward. "Sophia always had time for me." I grabbed his collar, my anger boiling over. "Don't lie to me," I spat. "This started long before I became a surgeon and didn't have time." Micheal brushed me off, laughing as he moved back.

"We won't be having that conversation then. I chose Sophia, is there something wrong with that?" He went to his desk and looked through some files. "You should sign these papers." He brought out a file and threw it across the desk, close to me.

I felt angry and hurt. "You didn't even think about Ashley," I said. "I know she's dead, and you know you caused it. If you had noticed her earlier symptoms as a mother and as a doctor, she would have been cured and healthy. But no, you loved your job more than your child. You only found out when it got to a complex stage."

"Shut up!" I slammed my hands on the desk. He was right; I was responsible for Ashley's death.

"I could sue you for that, and trust me, it won't end well," he threatened. "Just sign those papers and let's go our separate ways." He smirked.

I took the papers and scanned through them. Then I saw the heading "DEED OF TRANSFER" and the first clause: "Daisy Amory, the current owner, hereby transfers, conveys, and assigns all of her right, title, and interest in the property to Micheal Campbell, effective immediately."

I scoffed, looking at him in disgust. "You want my house too?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Yes, of course. Just think of it as a token for staying with you for years."

He never cared about me or Ashley. I should have suspected it when he told me to abort Ashley. I signed the papers and flung the papers at him. "I hope we don't cross paths again."

"I hope we don't."He smiled and said. I turned and left his office.

I accepted my fate, returning to the hospital for a private goodbye with Ashley. I had her body prepared, then took her to the nearby cemetery. A small group of nurses and doctors joined me, their presence a gentle comfort. Under a beautiful tree, I laid her to rest. "In your next life, Ashley, be happy," I whispered, my heart heavy.

But life didn't stop and I returned to the operating room. Yet, my mind reeled, and I almost lost a patient. That's when I knew I needed to step away, to gather my thoughts. I couldn't bear the thought of more lives lost because of me.

I bid farewell to my colleagues, withdrew my savings, and left New York for New Jersey, seeking solace in my childhood home. The once-welcoming house now stood abandoned, dry leaves swirling around the broken porch. The paint had chipped, revealing the worn wood beneath. "Guess who's back and divorced?" I raised my arms and announced to my deceased parents. "Me!"

My voice echoed down the deserted street, a few houses nearby, their windows like empty eyes staring back. "Guess who buried her child with her own hands?" I yelled, my voice cracking. "Also...me." I fell to my knees as tears streamed down my face.

I will take my time to heal and gather my thoughts. I will not let Michael's scorn define me or rejoice over my failures. I will move forward, one step at a time. But how? I was all alone and I felt...lost.