COG
My heart raced as I stared through the glass window of the operating room. I clenched my fists until they turned white in fear as I watched as they worked on Mom. The storm outside seemed to echo the chaos in my chest.
I hadn’t even caught my breath when Dad stormed up to me, his face flushed with anger.
“How could you let her go out in this storm, Astrid?” he snapped at me, enraged.
I blinked, stunned “What? Dad, I didn’t even know she left the house! I had no idea.”
Before I could say more, Seth stepped in, “Dad, Astrid’s been staying with me these past few days. She’s injured. She couldn’t have known”
Dad’s gaze shifted to me, his anger melting into regret as his eyes traveled to my bandaged arm and the tiredness etched on my face. His shoulders slumped “I’m sorry, Astrid. I didn’t mean to… I was just so scared. What happened to you?”
Thesitated, glancing at Seth, who gave me a small nod of encouragement. “There was an incident,” I said quietly, avoiding the details of Ash and the divorce. “I’ve been recovering at Seth’s place since then.”
The color drained from Dad’s face, his eyes wide with shock and without a word, he pulled me into a tight hug. his hand gently cradling the back of my head.
I’m so sorry, sweetheart I didn’t know,” he murmured, his voice trembling
I felt tears pricking at my eyes but quickly blinked them away. Now wasn’t the time to cry
“What happened to Mom?” I asked, pulling back slightly
Dad sighed heavily, his face creased with worry. “She got a call from your husband. She left in a hurry. The ospital said she kept apologizing for not delivering the flowers to him. Do you know anything about this?”
Ifroze Flowers? For Ash?
“She’s allergic to flowers” I said with disbelief in my voice. “Why would he ask her to do that? And during this
storm?”
Seth’s brows furrowed as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “That doesn’t make any sense, Astrid.”
tepped away from them my chest tightening with a mix of anger and confusion. “Excuse me.” I muttered digging into my pocket for my phone
My hands trembled in anger as I dialed Ash’s number. The phone rang once, twice, then connected
The call connected but it wasn’t Ash’s voice but someone else’s kate
“Hello?” Her voice was light, almost cheerful, but it grated on my nerves.
“Kate, give the phone to Ash.” I said curtly, trying to keep my composure
There was a pause, followed by a soft laugh. “Oh, sure, one moment”
Moments later, his voice came through, irritated. “What is it Astrid? I’m busy”
“Where is my mom, Ash? I fired a question at him immediately
“Relax She delivered the flowers, didn’t she? What’s the problem now?
My grip on the phone tightened. “Flowers? You asked her to deliver flowers? In this storm? Despite knowing she’s allergic?
Ash let out an exasperated sigh. “Kate won a competition today, and I was busy. Your mom called at the perfect
time, so I asked her to do it. What’s the big deal?”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. “So, let me get this straight” I said, my voice filed with disbelief
and anger. “You sent my mom out in a dangerous storm to deliver flowers to Kate? Knowing full welll about her
allergiest
“It’s not like I forced her.” he said nonchalantly tasked her to do it and she accepted. Besides its just fowers
Astrid. You’re making a big deal out of nothing, as usual ”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My chest burned with fury, and my voice rose before I could stop it “Your
risked my mom’s life for flowers! For Kate!”
“Astrid, if you’re calling to argue. I’m not interested,” he said dismissively “This is getting exhausting”
I took a deep, shuddering breath, willing myself not to scream. “Fine, Ash. You win. Just sign the divorce papers
and get out of my life”
There was silence on the line, followed by a scoff. “Are you serious right now?
“Dead senous,” I said, my voice icy “Sign them. Today”
Before he could respond, I ended the call, my hand trembling as I shoved the phone back into my pocket
I turned to face my father, who stood nearby his expression a mix of confusion and concern. Seth watche
too, his jaw tight
“I’m done pretending” I said quietly meeting my dad’s gaze Tm divercing Ash ”
Seth stepped closer, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure about this”
D
“Yes I sad firmly “Tve spent years trying to make this marriage work trying to be someone he’d care about. But
I can’t do this anymore ”
Dad’s eyes widened in shock. “Astrid
Finally after a while, the
lepped out of the
sent a chill through me.
I gripped Seth’s arm, unable to steady myself as my legs threatened to give way. Dad stepped forward, his voice low but desperate.
“Doctor, how is she? How’s my wife?”
The doctor sighed, his gaze filled with the kind of pity that made my stomach churn. “She’s stable, but…” He paused, the hesitation in his words suffocating. “She’s suffered a severe brain injury. She’s in a coma now, and we can’t say when or if she’ll regain consciousness.”
“No…” My whisper was barely audible, fear gripped my head.
The doctor continued, his tone cautious but firm. “I must also inform you that if she doesn’t wake up soon. there’s a risk of her condition progressing to brain death. We’ll do our best, but… the situation is critical.”
I gasped, my knees buckling, and Seth caught me just as I felt the room spin. Beside me, Dad’s face contorted in
anguish.
“We can’t lose her,” Dad murmured, his voice cracking. “Do whatever it takes. Just…just save her.”
The doctor gave a solemn nod before walking away, leaving us to grapple with the weight of his words.
I leaned against the wall, my chest heaving with silent sobs. Mom… my mom, who had always been there for me.
who had loved unconditionally even Ash, the man who had caused her so much pain
Memories of her soft voice, her radiant smile flooded my mind. I couldn’t lose her. Not like this.
With weak knees, I turned to the operating room doors, the bitterness I’d tried to suppress bubbled to the
surface. This wasn’t just an accident. It was Ash’s doing.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought back tears.
“Are you okay, Astrid?” Seth asked softly, his hand on my shoulder.
I shook my head. “No. I’m not. And I won’t be until he’s out of our lives for good.”
Seth nodded, his jaw tight with suppressed anger. He didn’t need to ask who I meant.
I slowly moved inside the room where Mom was now resting.
I reached Mom’s side, her face pale and still against the stark white of the hospital bed. The machines beeped steadily, they had her connected to them, she looked so pitiful and weak.
I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around her, careful not to disturb the tubes that were connected to her. My cheek rested against her shoulder, the faint scent of her favorite lavender perfume still clinging to her hospital gown. It was comforting, and yet, it shattered me even more.
Tears spilled freely down my face, soaking into the fabric of her blanket. “You didn’t deserve this. None of this.” Staring at her face with tears in my eyes a flood of memories washed over me, driving me down memory lane.
The first time I met Ash.