When Love Betrays

Still My Son

The next day came too fast.

Prisca did not sleep. She only closed her eyes from time to time, but her mind never rested. She sat beside Daniel’s bed all night, watching his chest rise and fall. Every time he moved, she leaned forward. Every time he sighed, her heart jumped.

The hospital room felt small and cold. The clock on the wall ticked loudly, as if it wanted to remind her that morning was coming. Morning meant the transfusion. Morning meant facing Gabriel.

Her husband’s last words echoed in her head.

We will talk when we get home.

Not now. Not here. At home.

That scared her more than shouting would have.

Daniel stirred and turned in his sleep. His tiny hand searched for her. Prisca quickly held it.

“I’m here,” she whispered.

But she wasn’t sure how long she would still be “here” the same way.

A soft knock came at the door just as the sky outside began to brighten.

Prisca looked up. Her body felt heavy, like she had been carrying stones all night.

A nurse stepped inside with a gentle smile.

“Good morning, ma’am. The donor has arrived. The doctors will begin preparations soon.”

Prisca’s stomach tightened.

The donor.

She swallowed. “Okay,” she said quietly.

She stood up and stretched her stiff legs. Her reflection in the small mirror by the sink shocked her. Her eyes were swollen. Her face looked pale.

She splashed water on her face and tried to breathe.

Be strong, she told herself. For Daniel.

She walked back to the bed and brushed Daniel’s hair softly.

“Baby,” she called gently. “Wake up.”

Daniel opened his eyes slowly. He looked confused at first. Then he remembered.

“Hospital,” he said in a small voice.

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“Am I going home?”

“Soon,” she said, forcing a smile.

She reached for her phone. Her fingers trembled as she typed a message.

The donor is here. They will start the transfusion soon.

She stared at the screen before pressing send.

She did not expect him to reply. She did not expect him to come.

After what he found out yesterday… after the truth that broke everything…

She had only sent the message because she knew he loved Daniel. No matter what happened between them, Gabriel’s heart always softened when it came to his children.

Still, she believed he would stay away.

Maybe it would be easier for him.

Maybe it would be easier for her too.

She put her phone down and helped Daniel sit up.

“You’re going to be brave today, okay?” she said.

Daniel nodded slowly.

A few minutes later, she heard footsteps outside the room.

Strong and familiar footsteps walking towards the door.

Her heart stopped.

The door opened.

Gabriel walked in.

Prisca froze.

He looked tired. His eyes were red like he hadn’t slept. His jaw was tight. He wore the same shirt from yesterday.

He did not look at her.

Not once.

He walked straight to Daniel.

“Daddy!” Daniel shouted happily.

Gabriel’s face changed immediately. The hardness melted. He stepped forward and hugged him carefully.

“You left me here,” Daniel said. “Mummy said you went to get ice cream.”

Gabriel smiled softly. “Yes. And I still owe you that ice cream.”

Daniel giggled.

Prisca watched from the side of the room. She didn’t know whether to feel relieved or afraid.

Gabriel sat beside Daniel and touched his cheek.

“Are you okay?” Daniel asked him suddenly. “You look sad.”

Gabriel paused.

“I’m just worried, son,” he said quietly. “But I need you to be strong for me. Can you do that?”

Daniel nodded bravely.

“They said they’re taking me somewhere,” he whispered. “I’m scared.”

Gabriel leaned closer.

“Hey,” he said gently. “Big boys don’t get scared when daddy is around. And I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay with you the whole time.”

Daniel held his hand tightly.

Prisca felt tears burn her eyes.

Gabriel didn’t even glance at her. It was as if she was invisible. He was here for one reason only.

For Daniel.

And she knew why.

Yesterday, when the doctor mentioned blood shortage, Gabriel had offered his own blood immediately. They had tested him.

They had run extra tests.

Tests that changed everything.

She closed her eyes for a second.

The nurse returned with a wheelchair.

“It’s time,” she said softly.

Daniel looked at his father again. “You’re coming?”

Gabriel nodded. “I promised, didn’t I?”

Daniel smiled.

They wheeled him out of the room.

Prisca followed behind them quietly.

The hallway seemed longer than before. Every step felt heavy.

Inside the transfusion ward, machines beeped softly. The smell of medicine filled the air.

Daniel was lifted onto another bed.

Gabriel stood beside him the entire time.

When the nurse inserted the needle, Daniel winced.

Gabriel squeezed his hand. “Look at me,” he said. “Not there. Look at daddy.”

Daniel focused on him.

Prisca stood near the door. She didn’t know whether to move closer or stay back.

The doctor entered and gave instructions to the nurses.

The bag of blood was brought in.

Prisca stared at it.

That small bag held more than blood.

It held answers.

Gabriel’s eyes followed the movement too.

For a moment, their eyes almost met.

But he looked away.

The procedure began.

Minutes passed slowly.

Daniel tried to be brave, but tears slipped down his cheeks.

Gabriel wiped them gently.

“You’re doing great,” he whispered.

Prisca could not hold herself anymore. She walked closer and stood on the other side of the bed.

Daniel looked between them.

“Are you both staying?” he asked.

“Yes,” Gabriel answered firmly.

Prisca nodded.

The silence between them was loud.

Daniel’s breathing slowly became steady. The transfusion continued without problems.

After some time, Daniel’s eyelids became heavy.

“Daddy…” he murmured.

“I’m here.”

“Don’t go.”

“I won’t.”

Daniel fell asleep.

Prisca let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding.

The machines continued their quiet rhythm.

The doctor checked the monitors and nodded.

“Everything is going smoothly,” he said. “He’s responding well.”

Prisca felt her knees weaken with relief.

She stepped back and leaned against the wall.

Gabriel still didn’t move.

He didn’t sit.

He didn’t look away.

He stayed.

Hours later, the transfusion was complete.

The nurse removed the tube carefully.

“He did very well,” she said with a smile. “He will need to stay for a few days for observation, but he is stable.”

Stable.

The word felt like light in a dark room.

Prisca almost cried.

Gabriel finally sat down.

For the first time, he looked exhausted.

The doctor approached him quietly.

“Mr. Gabriel,” he said. “We will speak later.”

Gabriel nodded once.

Prisca noticed the look between them.

It was quick and serious.

Her chest tightened.

What did that mean?

The doctor left.

Daniel was moved back to his room.

Gabriel pushed the wheelchair himself.

Prisca followed silently.

When they entered the room again, it felt different. Lighter, but also tense.

Daniel slept peacefully.

Gabriel adjusted his blanket.

Then he finally straightened up.

He turned slightly.

Prisca’s heart pounded.

But instead of speaking, he walked past her and stood near the window.

The distance between them felt like a wall.

“Thank you for coming,” she said softly.

He didn’t respond.

“I didn’t think you would.”

“I said I would,” he replied calmly.

His voice was steady. Too steady.

She swallowed.

“I know.”

Silence filled the room again.

After a while, Gabriel spoke.

“He’s fine now.”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

That was all.

He checked his phone.

Prisca watched him carefully.

She remembered what he said yesterday.

No matter what the result says, Daniel is still my son.

The words gave her hope.

But hope can be dangerous.

She wanted to speak. She wanted to explain everything.

But Daniel stirred in his sleep.

They both turned quickly.

He relaxed again.

Gabriel walked back to the bed and sat down.

“I’m not going anywhere until he wakes up,” he said quietly.

Prisca nodded.

She sat on the other side.

The hours passed slowly.

Daniel woke up in the afternoon.

He looked much better.

“Daddy?” he called.

“I’m here.”

Daniel smiled weakly.

“Did I do good?”

Gabriel smiled back. “You did great.”

Daniel turned to Prisca. “Mummy, I wasn’t scared.”

“I know,” she said, brushing his hair.

They spent the rest of the day talking lightly, keeping things normal.

But underneath the calm surface, tension waited.

Evening came.

The doctor returned once more.

“He will be discharged in a few days,” he said. “Just rest for now.”

Gabriel nodded.

After the doctor left, Gabriel stood up.

“I’ll step outside,” he said.

Prisca watched him leave.

Her chest tightened again.

She knew what was coming.

Not here.

At home.

Just like he said.

She walked to the window and saw him outside, standing alone, looking at nothing.

A man fighting himself.

A father holding on.

A husband breaking apart.

Daniel called her name.

She quickly wiped her eyes and went back to him.

That night, Gabriel stayed again.

But they did not talk.

They moved around each other carefully, like strangers.

Prisca lay awake once more.

This time, Daniel’s breathing was steady.

But her heart was not.

The transfusion was over.

The emergency was over.

Now, the real storm was waiting.

In a few days, they would go home.

And when that door closed behind them, there would be no nurses.

No machines.

No distractions.

Only truth.

Prisca stared at the ceiling.

She knew she could not run anymore.

She had buried the truth for years.

Now it had risen.

And Gabriel had seen it.

Daniel shifted in his sleep and whispered, “Daddy.”

Gabriel immediately answered from the chair, “I’m here.”

Prisca’s heart broke and healed at the same time.

He was still here.

But for how long?

The room fell silent again.

And Prisca knew—

The hardest part had not even begun.