The Hospital Part 2
1496 Words
Evelyn let her tears fall freely. “No, Ethan… you can’t do that. She’s the only mother I have.”
“Don’t try to change my mind, Evelyn!” he snapped. “What kind of mother tries to annihilate her daughter? She’s cruel and should face punishment for her actions!”
But Evelyn didn’t want Ethan to punish her stepmother—not on her behalf. If anyone was going to make Mrs. Hayes pay, it would be her. And she needed the woman out of jail for that to happen.
“I’ve never asked you for anything,” Evelyn sobbed. “But today… I am. Please, don’t send my mother to jail. I—I can’t handle it.”
Watching her cry shattered Ethan’s resolve. The woman he loved was in pain, and he couldn’t bear to see her like that.
He gently wiped her tears. “Stop crying, babe,” he murmured. “I won’t sue her.”
“Thank you,” Evelyn whispered, instantly hugging him. Relief washing over her.
“But I never want to see her near you again or near my family,” he said, firmly. “She stays far away from the Reeds' house. That’s non-negotiable.”
‘I can live with that,’ Evelyn thought, smiling faintly.
“Fine. She won’t come near us or your family.”
“Good.” Ethan pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his hand gently stroking her hair.
Evelyn melted into his warmth… until a sudden thought pulled her out of the comfort.
“What about your parents, Ethan?” she asked, lifting her head.
“What about them?”
“What do I say to them?” she worried. “I don’t want them to be disappointed in me or worse, find out the truth about my stepmother. They might end up hating me… and that would ruin everything.”
“My parents are reasonable,” Ethan said. “They know right from wrong. And don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
“Thank you, Ethan.” Evelyn smiled warmly. “I really appreciate you.”
Ethan’s gaze drifted to her lips. “You should thank me in another way.”
She blinked. “What way?”
“This way…” he murmured, before leaning in to kiss her.
The kiss caught Evelyn off guard, but soon she responded. Their pulses raced, hearts beating in rhythm. Ethan deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth with slow, deliberate hunger.
He only meant for it to be brief. But the moment he tasted her, he lost control.
As much as he gave, Evelyn matched him. Heat swirled between them, but Ethan forced himself to break away.
“I should probably stop,” he whispered against her lips. “You’re still recovering. You need rest. We’ll save the rest for our wedding night.”
Evelyn bit her lip, trying to push down the urge to pull him back.
“Hmm…”
“I’ll go get the doctor.” He kissed her lightly again before stepping out of the room.
Evelyn watched him go, a wide smile on her face. Her heart fluttered, her mind still lost in the kiss. But as the door clicked shut, her thoughts turned serious.
She still had a stepmother to confront and questions that needed answers.
A few minutes later, Ethan returned, this time with the doctor, a nurse, his parents, and… Tessa. They all surrounded the bed, expressions a mix of relief and concern.
The doctor stepped forward. “Good day, Evelyn. I’m Dr. Evans. I’m glad to see you awake. How are you feeling? Any pain?”
“I’m alright, doctor. Just a throbbing headache,” she replied.
“That’s expected. The pain will subside in a few days. I’ll have the nurse administer something for it. Your head injury has been treated and stitched. You’ll make a full recovery.”
“Thank you,” Evelyn said. “When can I go home?”
“You’ll be discharged in a week.”
“Okay. I appreciate all your help, doctor.”
“It’s my job,” Dr. Evans said kindly. “Just take care of yourself. You gave your fiancé quite a scare.”
With that, the doctor and nurse exited the room, leaving only the family behind.
Immediately, Tessa rushed to Evelyn and threw her arms around her dramatically, spilling crocodile tears. “Sister! I’m so glad you’re alright. If anything had happened to you, I don’t know what I would’ve done!”
Evelyn gave her a strained smile. “Thank you for your concern… but please, my body hurts. Could you let go?”
“Oh, of course!” Tessa stepped back, wiping her eyes. “I’m just… really relieved you’re okay.”
Mr. and Mrs. Reeds stepped forward, their faces filled with care and relief.
“My dear,” Mrs. Reeds said, taking Evelyn’s hand. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, Mother,” Evelyn replied, using the term deliberately. “I’m sorry I scared everyone.”
“Nonsense. We’re just glad you’re safe,” Mrs. Reeds said, smiling and caressing Evelyn’s hand gently.
Evelyn’s heart swelled with gratitude. They truly cared.
Then Mr. Reeds spoke up. “Evelyn, if it’s not too much, can you tell us what happened in that room?”
The room fell silent.
Evelyn glanced at Tessa, who was already fidgeting. Guilt all over her face.
But Evelyn didn’t know how to answer without exposing her stepmother. Her heart pounded, and she instinctively turned to Ethan.
Ethan stepped forward.
“Dad, please don’t push her,” he said. “It was a traumatic experience. She’s trying to move past it.”
“I understand, but…” Mr. Reeds began. “She was injured in our house,” he continued. “I need to know who did this. I want the person responsible held accountable.”
Ethan exhaled sharply. “I get it, Dad. But I already know who it was. Let me handle it. There’s no need to make Evelyn relive it.”
Mr. Reeds narrowed his eyes. “You’re hiding something. Is it someone we know?”
Seeing Ethan's frustration rising, Evelyn quickly stepped in.
“Father,” she said softly, “I know you’re worried, and I truly appreciate it. But please… let’s talk about something else. This has been hard enough. I promise Ethan will make sure I’m safe moving forward.”
Mr. Reeds sighed. “Fine. I won’t ask again. But just… take care of yourself, Evelyn. You scared us all.”
“I will,” she nodded. “I promise.”
“Dad,” Ethan cut in, “why don’t you tell Evelyn what we discussed earlier?”
Mr. Reeds smiled, his mood lifting.
“Oh yes. Evelyn, the wedding’s in two weeks. Soon, you’ll officially be part of this family.”
Evelyn’s eyes lit up. She turned to Ethan.
“Really?”
“Yes, babe,” he smiled. “Two weeks from now, you’ll be Mrs. Evelyn Ethan Reeds. I can’t wait.”
“Mrs. Evelyn Ethan Reeds… I love the sound of that,” she repeated with a happy laugh.
Tessa chimed in again. “I’m so happy for you, sis.”
Evelyn forced a smile. “Thank you… sis.”
Tessa continued, “I’ll excuse myself now. I need to check on Mom.” She turned to Ethan’s parents. “Thank you, Mother, Father. I really appreciate your support.”
“You’re family, Tessa.” Mrs. Reeds replied warmly. “By the way, where’s Caleb?”
“He’s with Mom. He’ll come once I return.” Tessa smiled and headed for the door.
As the door shut behind her, Mrs. Reeds turned to Evelyn.
“I hope your mother wakes up soon.”
“Me too,” Evelyn murmured.
****
*Meanwhile...*
Tessa walked briskly through the hospital hallway, her thoughts storming.
Two weeks.
In two weeks, Evelyn would marry Ethan and become the second daughter-in-law of the Reeds family. Once that happened, getting rid of her would be nearly impossible.
“Damn you, Evelyn,” she muttered through clenched teeth.
She still didn’t know what exactly had happened in that room but she knew her mother had messed everything up. Whatever it was, this wasn’t how things were supposed to go.
She paused in front of a door staring intently at it.
Room 414. Her mother’s room.
Tessa took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. But she couldn’t.
She was angry.
At Evelyn.
At her mother.
At herself.
Nevertheless, she stepped into the room and found it empty—Caleb wasn’t there.
‘Good.’
Tessa approached the bed and stared down at her mother’s pale face. Long and hard.
Not blinking once.
Then she spoke.
“Open your eyes, Mother,” she said coldly. “I know you’re awake.”
A minute passed.
Then, slowly, Mrs. Hayes opened her eyes, smiling darkly.
Tessa stared down at her.
And returned the smile.
- Writer
