Wounded Heart

Chapter 4 Caregiver

Williams woke the next morning to the piercing ring of his phone. Groggy and disoriented, he fumbled for the device. The caller ID flashed the name of the hospital. Panic surged through him as he answered.

Hello?" His voice trembled with anticipation.

“Mr. Williams, this is Nurse Roberts from St. Mary's Hospital. We wanted to inform you that Anna has woken up." Just like you said we should last night.

Relief flooded through Williams like a tidal wave. Anna, his beloved, had been in a coma for days. She has a very weak heart ever since the day she saved him,he has always felt guilty for her since Illness began.

"I'll be there right away," he said, his voice choked with emotion.

As Williams rushed to the hospital, his mind was consumed by thoughts of Anna. He barely spared a glance for the woman lying beside him - Elena, his wife.

The events of the previous night lingered in the shadows of his mind, an uncomfortable weight he pushed aside in his urgency to reach Anna.

Elena stirred beside him, her sleep-addled voice barely audible. "Where are you going?"

Ignoring her, Williams dressed hastily and left without a word, leaving behind a faint echo of hurt in his wake.

Arriving at the hospital, Williams hurried to Anna's room, his heart pounding with anticipation. The sight of her lying there, pale and fragile, filled him with a mixture of relieve and sorrow. Relieve, because she was awake, and sorrow, because of the pain she had endured.

Their reunion, however, was postponed. Anna's eyes met his with confusion, her voice barely above a whisper. "Where were you?"

Caught off guard, Williams stumbled over his words, his guilt gnawing at him. "I...I had to come here. You're awake now, Anna. That's all that matters."

But Anna's gaze held a flicker of understanding, a silent question left unanswered.

The nurse entered the room, her presence pulling Williams from the depths of his thoughts. With gentle concern, she informed him that Anna would require a caregiver.

Anna's voice, soft and hesitant, broke the tense silence.

My maid is on leave," she murmured, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. "I don't know who will take care of me."

Williams stared at her,and suggested."I'll call Elena. She can take care of you."

Anna's shocked expression belied the subtle flicker of happiness in her eyes. "Are you sure she'll be okay with it? I mean, she's your wife..."

Don’t worry about that Anna.she has no choice to do what I tell her.

With a deep breath, he reached for his phone, he dialed Elena's number. He couldn't shake the gnawing guilt clawing at him, but he pushed it aside in his urgency to fulfill his duty to Anna.

Elena, it's me," he said, his voice strained with emotion. "I need you to come to the hospital right away."

Elena's heart skipped a beat as she answered Williams' call, the urgency in his voice sending a shiver down her spine.

Panic surged through her as she imagined the worst, her mind racing with a million possibilities. Without a second thought, she dropped everything, her plans for the day forgotten in her haste to reach Williams' side.

Arriving at the hospital, Elena's heart hammered in her chest as she searched for Williams. But when she finally found him, standing by Anna's bedside, she felt sad.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Williams hesitated. "Anna needs someone to take care of her before she's discharged," he said finally, his words a heavy blow to Elena's fragile heart.

The truth hit her like a sledgehammer, the realization sinking in with a sickening thud.

What? Why do you act shocked? Williams asked Elena.

I thought something happened to you, Williams narrowed his eyes in impatience.

Anna is sick and she needs someone to take care of her, and that someone is you. You are going to start right now stop wasting precious time and take care of her now!

“You… you asked me to come because you want me to take care of her?!” Elena said pointing at Anna who was smiling sheepishly.

“Why else would I asked you to come?” Williams sneered. You think I give a f**k about you? Or you think I want you to come back and relax?”

I’m your wife! Williams at least I deserve a little bit of respect, can’t you hire a nanny or something, it’s more reasonable than what you are asking of me. She said.

Her lips trembling and she felt her heart sinking into a pit of shards and needles.

Williams then stared at her silently, his phone rang suddenly. without hesitation, he excused himself from the room.

As Williams hurriedly left Anna's hospital ward to attend to the call, a chill swept over the room. The warmth that had enveloped Anna's presence dissipated, replaced by an unsettling aura that sent shivers down Elena's spine. With growing unease, Elena watched as Anna's demeanor shifted, her once sweet expression contorting into a malevolent grin.

She look at Elena and said Williams loved me from the beginning, he had always known that you had feelings for him but he still chose me.

Struggling to maintain her composure, Elena forced herself to speak. "What do you mean, Anna? What are you saying?"

But Anna's grin only widened, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Oh, Elena dear, don't play coy. You know as well as I do that Williams loves me more than anything. It's not my fault he can't resist me. Hope you don't mind."

Elena was stunned. It felt like a punch. Before she could react however, Anna suddenly grinned. “I was kidding! Can you pass me a glass of water,Elena?

Elena stared at her for a moment and said, “Alright” she forced her self to reach out for the water at the bedside table.

After turning the water she pass it to Anna when the later suddenly slapped it way from her.

“it’s so hot!”she shrieked..

Hot water scalded Elena’s hand and the pain drained the color from her face . She was wondering why Anna would do that. When some dashed through the door.

A forced knocked of Elena of the bedside.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Williams shouted.

She lifted her head and saw Anna snuggling in Williams arms, his face laced with worry and concern.

Anna’s eye reddened as she explained, it was nothing Williams. I get it that she was just angry that you’re gonna leave that’s all. Elena ,I want you to know, I will always respect Williams choice, even if it isn’t me. You don’t have to warn me.

“Her? My choice?”Williams stared daggers at Elena and said. Over my dead body can she be my choice.Even if she is the last woman alive I would rather be a nun. Then he turned to face Elena and said you’re not even as worth as the whores in a club.