Beneath the surface
1185 Words
The doctor stepped aside slowly, his face unreadable but eyes softened with sympathy.
“Mrs. Collins, please—come in,” he said gently. “Both of you. You need to talk.”
Olivia’s legs trembled as she stepped through the door, Marcus close behind her. The sterile room felt impossibly Cold
There, in the bed, lay Lily—pale, fragile, but breathing. Tubes and wires tethered her to machines that beeped steadily, a lifeline between her and the world.
Marcus swallowed hard, voice rough. “She’s hanging on. The doctors say... it’s too soon to tell, but she’s fighting.”
The doctor’s voice softened as he stepped closer, lowering himself to Olivia’s eye level.
“Mrs. Collins,” he said gently, “right now, Lily can’t respond—but she can still hear you. Talk to her. Tell her you love her. Sometimes, that love is what helps them hold on.”
Olivia’s breath caught. She knelt beside the bed, leaning close so her whispered words could reach her daughter’s fragile ears.
“Lily, my sweet girl... Mommy loves you so much. You’re so brave. Please hold on for me, for us.”
Marcus joined her side, his own voice barely more than a whisper. “We’re right here, Lily. You’re not alone.”
She swallowed hard, struggling to keep her voice steady. “You’re the strongest girl I know. Please fight, baby. Fight for me... for Daddy.”
Marcus wiped his own eyes, his voice trembling. “We’re not giving up on you, Lily. You’ve got a whole life ahead — we need you here.”
A soft beep from the monitors echoed in the quiet room, a fragile sign of hope.
Olivia closed her eyes, whispering, “Come back to me, Lily. Please.”
Outside the door, footsteps approached, and the nurse peeked in, offering a small, cautious smile.
“We’ll do everything we can,” she said softly.
Suddenly, a sharp, urgent beep shattered the fragile silence. The monitors flared red, alarms blaring through the room like a scream from the heart.
“Code blue! Code blue!” a nurse shouted, rushing in with the doctor close behind.
The doctor’s face was grim but focused as he swiftly grabbed the defibrillator paddles. “We need to shock her—now!”
Olivia’s world shattered. She dropped to her knees beside the bed, clutching Lily’s lifeless hand.
“No! Please, she’s mine! Don’t take her away!” she sobbed, shaking her head fiercely, tears streaming down her face like a flood.
Marcus gently tried to pull her away. “Olivia, you have to let them do this. It’s the only way.”
But she refused, her voice raw and desperate. “I’m not leaving her side. Not now. Not ever.”
The doctor’s voice was firm but urgent. “Mrs. Collins, you need to leave the room. Please—let us do our job.”
Olivia’s sobs wracked her body as she clung to Lily’s hand, refusing to let go. “No… she’s my daughter. I can’t leave her.”
Marcus stepped forward gently but firmly, wrapping his arms around her shaking frame. “Olivia, please. We need to trust them. We’ll get through this—together.”
Marcus wrapped his arms around her trembling body, pulling her away slowly but firmly.
“Olivia, please... you’re breaking, but she needs us strong. Let them do their job.”
pulled away sharply, tears glistening like shattered glass in her eyes. Her voice cracked, trembling with a mix of pain and fury.
“Just so you know, Marcus... if anything happens to Lily, I will never forgive you.”
Then Olivia turned away, tears streaming down her cheeks, fighting the overwhelming urge to collapse.
Marcus reached out desperately, his voice breaking as he pleaded, “Olivia, please... don’t say that. We need to stay strong—for Lily.”
But before he could finish, Olivia’s hand shot out, landing a sharp, slap across his cheek.
This isn’t about strength, Marcus!” she spat, her voice raw and shaking. “It’s about trust—something you shattered the moment you let her down!”
Marcus stood frozen, the burn of her slap still tingling on his cheek. His eyes filled with regret and helplessness as he searched her face, desperate to reach the woman he loved beneath the storm of betrayal.
Olivia, I... I never meant for this to happen,” he whispered, voice cracking. “I’m so sorry. Please... don’t shut me out now.
But Olivia shook her head, pulling away, her voice barely above a whisper yet laced with steel. “You broke us, Marcus. And right now, I don’t know if we can ever fix it.”
Olivia’s voice cracked, trembling with a mixture of rage and heartbreak. “You got a stranger pregnant... Were you planning on getting rid of me, Marcus? Is that it? Did you hate Lily and me so much that you wanted us out of your life?”
He ran a hand through his hair, voice low and rough. “Olivia… it wasn’t supposed to happen like this. I never meant to hurt you or Lily. I was weak—I made a terrible mistake.”
He stepped closer, voice pleading, “Please, just listen. I love you both. I’m trying to fix this. Don’t shut me out now, not when Lily needs us the most.”
Olivia’s smile was cold, sharp as shattered glass. “Exactly, Marcus. That’s why Lily needs us the most and why I’m getting a divorce.”
“I won’t let your mistakes destroy her. But I won’t let you destroy me either.”
Her eyes locked onto his, unwavering and resolute.
Marcus’s face paled, shock and regret flickering in his eyes
I’m sorry. I’ll do whatever it takes. Just don’t give up on us... on her.”
Do you know what cheating does to a woman, Marcus ? You made me feel... like I wasn’t enough. Like if I were taller, or slimmer, maybe you’d have stayed. Maybe you’d have wanted this marriage to work.”
You lied to me, Marcus. You promised me forever, but forever wasn't even a year. You broke me, shattered my trust, and now...now I'm left picking up the pieces."
"How would you feel if the person you loved most betrayed your trust?"
Olivia turned and walk away from Marcus, her heart heavy with emotion, she felt a sense of finality wash over her. She was done. Finished. But as she reached the door, she saw Sarah, the pregnant woman, standing in the hallway, her eyes locked onto Olivia's.
For a moment, the two women just stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken questions. Olivia's mind reeled as she took in the sight of Sarah's rounded belly, the realization hitting her like a ton of bricks.
Was she making a mistake by seeking a divorce?
What secrets was Marcus hiding, and how many more lies would she uncover?"
What role did this woman play in Marcus's life, and what did she want from him?"
- Writer
