CHAPTER 5
896 Words
Morning came slowly. Soft light filtered through the thin hospital curtains, casting pale shadows across the room.
My eyes fluttered open. For a moment, I didn’t move. My body felt strangely light. Too light. Like the weight of yesterday had been lifted overnight.
Carefully, I placed a hand over my stomach. A small breath escaped my lips. “I’m okay…”
The memory of last night rushed back in fragments—
The pills.
The fear.
Matthew’s voice.
A knock came at the door. Before I could respond, it opened. The nurse stepped in. Not the head nurse. The other one. The one who had helped me. She gave me a small, almost knowing smile.
“Good morning, Mrs. Brenda.” I pushed myself up slightly, my eyes searching her face. “Good morning…” There was a brief pause. Then she spoke.
“You’ve been discharged.” For a second— I thought I misheard her. “…What?”
“You’re free to go,” she repeated calmly. “Your husband finalized everything this morning.” My heart skipped. “Matthew…?” She nodded.
“He came earlier. Dropped off your clothes.” She gestured toward the chair. A neatly folded dress sat there. Simple and elegant, carefully chosen.
“He said he had to step out to get a few things you might need before you leave,” she added. A small smile tugged at my lips. Of course he did.
Then she reached into her pocket. And pulled out a phone, my breath caught. “The one the head nurse confiscated yesterday,” she said quietly, handing it to me. “You can call him.”
I took it slowly almost carefully. Like it might disappear if I moved too fast. “Thank you…” She nodded once. “I’ll step outside.” Then she left.
The room fell silent again. I stared at the phone in my hand for a few seconds before dialing.
It rang once.
Twice.
“Brenda.” His voice was warm, soft and relieved. My chest loosened instantly.
“Matthew…”
“I was about to call you,” he said.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better,” I replied quietly. “They said I’ve been discharged.”
“Yes,” he said. “Everything is settled now.” There was something in his tone.
Calm.
Controlled.
Final.
“You don’t have to worry anymore,” he continued gently. “Just focus on yourself… and the baby.” My hand moved to my stomach again.
A small smile formed. “Okay…”
“I’ll be back soon,” he added.
“Stay there. Don’t go anywhere without me.”
“I won’t.” There was a brief silence.
“Take care of yourself for me.”
“I will.”
“…And for our child.” My heart beat with joy at the way he said it.
I nodded.
“Yes.” The call ended. I lowered the phone slowly. The room felt quiet again. Something else had settled inside me. Something I couldn’t explain.
A feeling, cold, heavy and unshakable. I looked toward the dress Matthew had brought. Then down at my hands. Then at the door. My heart began to beat faster. The feeling wouldn’t leave. No matter how calm everything looked— Something wasn’t right.
Something instinctive.
Like a warning.
I stepped out of the bathroom, feeling slightly more at ease. I slipped off my robe and put on the dress Matthew had brought for me.
It was soft, loose, and comfortable. After sliding into the slippers, I walked to the mirror and slowly began combing my hair.
A knock came.
“Matthew…” I whispered.
The door opened but it wasn’t him.
It was Chloe his personal assistant.
Something felt wrong immediately.
She wasn’t dressed the way she usually was. No heels, no sharp blazer. Just plain, loose clothes, dull and careless.
She looked… off, unsettling. “Where is Matthew?” I asked. She shut the door behind her before answering. “He’s waiting downstairs, ma.”
She moved past me and picked up the bag the nurse had packed earlier.
“Please hurry, ma. You and Mr. Matthew have a flight to catch.”
“A flight?” I frowned. “Matthew told me he would come pick me up himself.”
“Yes, ma,” she said quickly. “There was an issue with the hotel reservation for your honeymoon in Paris.”
My eyes widened. “He never told me we were going on a honeymoon.” A small laugh escaped me, but it didn’t feel real. Something about her still made me uneasy.
“But still… he said he would come himself.” I pushed further.
“He wants to be extra cautious,” she replied. “That’s why he sent me. He’s already waiting downstairs.”
I took a slow breath. “…Alright.” I followed her out.
Almost immediately, she pulled up a nose mask and adjusted a hoodie over her head. I slowed slightly.
Why was she hiding? We walked down the corridor in silence. I found myself glancing at every door we passed, whispering silent prayers under my breath. I stopped in front of the elevator. I paused, adjusting my dress, trying to steady myself.
Through reflection I saw Chloe staring at me with hatred
- Writer
