Chapter Four
1005 Words
"Who is there?" Bill called out, and my heart raced as the door slid open.
Nurse Ava, dressed in pink scrubs and crocs, was standing at the doorway. I exhaled a sigh of relief and stood up from my knees.
"I apologize for..." she said slowly as she shut the door behind her.
"It is fine," I said, faking a smile while tucking my hair behind my ear.
"No, it is not," Bill retorted.
"She was begging for a divorce before you came in," he lied, smirking.
"Oh no!" She exclaimed, holding her hands over her mouth.
"That is not true!" I yelled.
"I do not like involving third parties in my marital affairs anyway," I said, turning away, my voice firm, but Bill's gentle grasp encircled my arms.
"But Ava is not just your personal nurse, but also your friend. You can at least explain why you want me to divorce you and marry your sister," he said, his dark eyes on mine.
"No way, July!" Ava exclaimed, and I withdrew my arms from Bill.
I hurried to my room after picking up the car key and bag from the stairs.
"Please, Ava, help me talk to her. I really love her," his voice trailing off as I slammed my door shut.
After dropping the shopping bag and key on the floor, I hurried into the bathroom, took off my clothes, and sat down under the shower that I had turned on. I closed my eyes and let my tears mix with the warm water as the water beat against my skin and my mind raced with memories.
*
"You must marry the doctor, July," my stepmother yelled, her eyes glaring at me.
"How about we simply visit another hospital?" I asked, my eyes welling up.
"I cannot waste such funds," she said, her voice echoing throughout the room.
"This hospital is your only hope, marry Bill if you want your grandfather to live," she yelled.
"I cannot marry Doctor Bill. I cannot leave my boyfriend, Steve," I said as I fled the hospital, tears streaming down my cheeks.
*
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the bathroom door, and I opened my eyes.
"July?" Ava's voice called out.
"I need to give you your medicines."
"I will be with you soon," I said, leaping to my feet and clutching the walls as I almost slipped. I grabbed my soap as water droplets clung to my lashes.
"I need to take a bath."
"Please hurry up," she instructed.
After I finished bathing, I tied my white towel and walked into the bedroom to find Ava sitting on the couch.
"Why would you want Dr. Bill to marry your sister?" Ava inquired as she pulled out a pharmacy bag from her bag.
"Oh, please!" I mumbled.
"Do not act like you are interested in my side of the story," I said, pouring myself a glass of water.
"I just want to know why you offered your sister to him instead of simply walking away," she said.
"They are in love," I said, and she burst out laughing.
"What is so funny?" I asked, sitting on the couch with my brows knitted in a frown.
Amid suppressed laughter, she said, "Nothing, please go ahead with what you were saying,"
"Just give me my medication dosage, please. "I have things to do in less than a..." my voice drifted as I glanced at the wall clock.
"Damn it!" I dashed towards my closet.
"What is it?"Avas' voice echoed with concern.
"I have somewhere important I need to go," I said, running my fingers through the hangers to find an appropriate dress to wear to see Chris.
"But you need to take your medications first," she said, rising from the couch and setting the syringes and pills on the table.
"Please do it quickly," I said, pulling my wet hair into a bun.
***
"Thank you, Ava," I replied, breaking the silence that had begun while she administered the medications.
"You are welcome, dear," she said, exiting my room.
I peered out the window to see if Bill had gone with Bianca. His car was no longer parked, indicating that they had driven away, but Ava's departing vehicle piqued my curiosity.
Just as Mr. Frank was about to shut the gate, a familiar figure entered. My gaze became strained.
"Chris!" I spoke quietly as my heart sank.
Turning away from the window, I dashed downstairs, my mind racing with questions.
"What if he met Bianca or Bill earlier?"
"What if he tells Mr. Frank that I killed someone?"
"Didn’t Ava see him?"
I walked out of the mansion with sweat on my face.
"Oh, there she is," Chris said, walking away from Mr Frank and towards me.
"What are you doing here?" I inquired, my tone lowered.
"It appears you were already waiting for me," Chris said, licking his lips and keeping his gaze fixed on my towel.
"I was getting ready to meet you at the club," I said, stepping back to make space.
"You look even more pathetic with this red palm print on your face." He inquired, his strong colonge wafting through the air, making my empty stomach turn over as he got closer.
"Chris, leave now, I will see you at the club," I said, my heart racing.
"I am not here for negotiations. Where is your husband?" His jaws clenched, sending a shiver through me.
"There is no need for that," I stuttered. "I will marry you," I said, but his expressions remained blank and piercing.
"Your time has expired, and the marriage agreement is no longer valid," he said, his voice low but firm.
A horn at the gate interrupted us, and Mr. Frank dashed towards it.
"Get into the house right now. I cannot have another person meet you here," I motioned for him to move to the door, but he stood firm, his gaze fixed on mine.
"Saying hello will not hurt, July," he said with a grin.
- Writer
