Episode1
1315 Words
Rachel sat frozen on the chair outside the ICU ward, her fingers locked together so tightly her nails dug into her skin. Her eyes stayed fixed on the red light above the door.
“Please, please don’t leave me too”
The sound of hurried footsteps made her look up.
The doctor finally stepped out of the ward.
Rachel shot to her feet immediately.
Beside her, Chris Damascus lazily lifted his head from his phone, looking more annoyed than worried.
The doctor removed his glasses slowly. “We did everything we could.”
Rachel’s heartbeat stopped.
“The situation is critical. Mrs. Damascus’ organs are failing rapidly.” He paused carefully before continuing. “I’m afraid she may not survive the week.”
Rachel’s eyes filled instantly.
“No.” she whispered.
Her knees almost gave out beneath her.
For five years, the old woman inside that room had been the only person in the Damascus family who treated Rachel like she mattered.
Rachel pressed her trembling hand over her mouth to stop herself from crying out.
But beside her, Chris laughed.
The sound was low and sharp.
Rachel slowly turned toward him in disbelief.
Chris stood up from his chair and stretched lazily like a man who had just heard good news after a long stressful day.
“Well,” he muttered, shoving his phone into his pocket. “Looks like the old witch finally ran out of lives.”
Rachel stared at him.
Her chest tightened painfully.
“Chris.”
“What?” He shrugged carelessly. “You want me to cry?”
“That’s your grandmother.”
“And?” His lips curled coldly. “That woman manipulated my entire life. Forced me into this miserable marriage. Controlled every damn thing.”
Chris looked toward the ICU room with complete indifference.
“She should’ve died years ago.”
Rachel felt her stomach flip.
The doctor standing nearby looked uncomfortable before quietly walking away.
The moment he disappeared, Chris reached into the inside pocket of his expensive black coat and pulled out a folded document.
Rachel’s breathing slowed.
Chris shoved the papers into her hands.
“Sign it.”
Rachel looked down.
Divorce papers.
Her vision blurred instantly.
For a second, she thought she was imagining it.
“What’s this?” Her voice shook
Chris smirked. “Don’t look so shocked. You knew this marriage meant nothing.”
Rachel’s fingers shook violently around the papers.
“Chris, your grandmother is dying.”
“Exactly.” His eyes turned hard. “And the second she dies, I’m finally free of you.”
The words sliced through her chest.
Rachel looked up at him slowly, her lips trembling.
Despite everything that he was saying at the moment, her heart still races for him
“I can’t sign this,” she whispered.
Chris let out a mocking laugh.
“Of course you can’t.” He stepped closer. “Because you’re obsessed with me.”
Rachel lowered her eyes, ashamed by how true it sounded.
“You think I don’t know why you stayed all these years?” he continued cruelly. “You loved the money. The name. The power.”
Rachel shook her head immediately.
“That’s not true.”
“Please.” He rolled his eyes. “A scholarship charity case suddenly becoming Mrs. Damascus? You hit the jackpot.”
Tears slid down Rachel’s face.
“I loved you before the marriage.”
Chris looked disgusted.
“That’s the problem.”
Rachel froze.
“I never asked for your love.”
His voice was cold and heartless.
“Do you know what it feels like being trapped with someone you can’t stand?” he asked bitterly. “Every time I came home and saw your face, I felt suffocated.”
With every word he said, she felt her heart ripping into tiny shreds
Still, she stepped closer.
“Please don’t do this,” she begged softly. “We can fix things.”
Chris barked out another laugh.
“Fix?”
His eyes darkened.
“There’s nothing to fix.”
Rachel swallowed hard.
“What about us?”
“There is no us.”
The lobby suddenly closed in on them.
Chris loosened his tie with irritation.
“I already wasted five years because of that old woman inside.” He pointed toward the ICU ward. “The second she dies, I’m going public with Serena.”
Rachel’s face went pale.
Serena.
The woman he truly loved.
The woman everyone knew about except Rachel.
Or maybe, the woman Rachel pretended not to know about.
Chris leaned closer.
“So do yourself a favor and sign the damn papers quietly before I make your life hell.”
Rachel stared at him helplessly.
“How can you say this to me?”
“Because I mean every word.”
She shook her head desperately.
“I tried so hard for this marriage.”
“And nobody asked you to.”
That one hurt the most.
Rachel looked down at the papers again.
The signature line stared back at her like a reflection.
Chris suddenly grabbed her chin harshly.
“Listen carefully,” he said darkly. “Once my grandmother dies, you lose every protection you have in this family. Don’t test me, Rachel. I can destroy you with one phone call.”
Fear flashed across her face.
“I love you,” she whispered brokenly.
Chris instantly released her like her touch disgusted him.
“God,” he muttered. “You really never learn.”
Rachel wiped her tears quickly.
“Chris, please,”
“I’m done.”
He turned away.
Her panic rose immediately.
She grabbed his arm.
“Please don’t leave like this.”
Chris looked down at her hand with pure irritation.
Then he forcefully pulled away.
“You’re pathetic.”
Rachel’s breath caught.
Chris adjusted his coat.
“I’m going to see Serena.”
And just like that, he walked away.
Rachel stood there frozen as his footsteps disappeared down the hallway.
He didn't bother to look back
The divorce papers slowly slipped from her trembling hands onto the floor.
For several seconds, Rachel couldn’t move.
It felt like her entire world had cracked open beneath her feet.
But then the sound of weak coughing came from inside the ICU room.
Rachel snapped back to reality.
Grandma.
Quickly wiping her tears, she pushed the ward door open.
The smell of medicine filled the air immediately.
Machines beeped softly around the room.
The once powerful woman now looked frighteningly fragile and pale on top of the hospital bed.
Rachel’s chest tightened painfully.
Grandma Damascus slowly opened her tired eyes.
The moment she saw Rachel, a weak smile appeared on her face.
“My child.”
Rachel hurried to her side and held her frail hand carefully.
“Grandma…”
The older woman studied her face quietly.
“You’ve been crying.”
Rachel forced a smile. “I’m okay.”
“That boy upset you again?”
Rachel lowered her eyes.
Even now, the old woman still noticed everything.
Grandma Damascus sighed weakly.
“That foolish grandson of mine.”
Rachel’s throat tightened.
“He’s just angry.”
The old woman gave a tired smile.
“And you still defend him.”
Rachel looked away because she didn’t trust herself to speak.
Grandma squeezed her hand weakly.
“Rachel, please promise me something.”
Rachel immediately nodded.
“Anything.”
The old woman’s breathing became shaky.
“No matter what happens” she whispered slowly, “don’t leave Chris.”
Rachel froze.
“He needs you more than he knows.”
Tears burned Rachel’s eyes again.
“Grandma,”
“Please.”
Rachel looked at the weak woman lying helplessly before her.
The only person who had ever truly loved her in that family.
How could she refuse her?
Rachel slowly nodded.
“I promise.”
- Writer
