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.
It was an ordinary day, years ago. Mom had just dropped Seth off at his college, and I was rushing to get to mine when Ash appeared out of nowhere, nearly colliding with her car. The accident wasn’t severe, but it left her wi few scratches and me seething.
Iremembered storming out of the car, ready to give the reckless man a piece of my mind. But when I saw him tall, disheveled, with an air of charm that irritated and intrigued me all at once, I froze.
Seth introduced him as his best friend, and despite my initial anger, Ash came over to apologize and even helped tend to Mom’s injuries.
That was the beginning. The start of something I thought was love.
I
He charmed his way into our lives, visiting every day under the guise of checking on Mom. But his real attention was on me. I knew it then, and I fell for it. For him.
Mom adored him from the start. She saw him as the son she never had, and when Dad and Seth voiced their
doubts about our relationship. Mom stood by me
“Give him a chance.” she’d said, her eyes soft with conviction. “He’s a good man, Astrid. You’ll see.”
I believed her. I believed in him.
But now…now I could see how wrong we both were
My heart broke all over again. She had loved Ash so much, defended him, trusted him. And for what? For him to mock that love, to use her as a delivery service for flowers meant for another woman?
The thought burned, and my chest tightened with a mixture of grief and fury.
I leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead, silently vowing to never let his actions hurt us again.
“I need you to come back I murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Please, Mom. I don’t know if I can do this without you*
I stayed by Mom’s side, never leaving her bedside