CHAPTER 3
522 Words
Lexi's POV
I was thirteen when my mother, Sarah, shattered our family. That very day etched into my mind like a scar that is not ready to fade out.
She came home unexpectedly wearing a cold expression. Her shoulders squared with determination. My father and I were sitting in the living room, laughing at something silly on TV, when she finally dropped the bombshell.
"I want a divorce, John," she announced firmly, her voice unwavering. "I'm leaving you." And I’m taking Emily with me.
The room went silent. My father’s face turned pale, his mouth gaping in disbelief and confusion.
"What are you talking about, Sarah?" His voice trembled. "Why are you doing this?"
Her lips curled into a dreadful smile. "Because I want to be happy," she said, her tone disturbingly casual. "And I’m not happy with you." She turned to me, her eyes indifferent. "Besides, Emily isn’t even yours, so it's not much of a big deal."
The words landed like a physical blow. My father’s breath hitched, his hands tightening into fists. "What?" he whispered, clutching his chest in agony.
"You heard me," her voice was devoid of regret. "Emily isn’t your biological daughter," she added.
I had never seen my father break in my presence before that moment. His love for Emily had been unconditional, he had raised her, adored her, protected her. And in an instant, my mother was about to snatch it all away.
She left that night, taking Emily with her as she said. She has left ever since then and hasn't looked back.
My father was left shattered. The man who had once been my protector, my rock, became a shell of himself. The heartbreak sent him through waves of conditions like depression, high blood pressure and endless hospital visits.
And now, here I am, years later, standing outside the very place where his life was slipping away again.
The hospital doors slid open, pulling me from my thoughts and filling my lungs with the sterile smell of disinfectant as I walked inside. My eyes scanned the lobby until they landed on Dr. Parker , who stood near the nurses’ station.
"Doctor, I'm here. "I want to see my father first." I hurried over to say.
Dr. Parker looked up, his expression sympathetic. "Of course, Lexi. Let me check on him first."
I nodded, shifting my feet as he disappeared down the hallway.
"You can see him now, he's a bit stable but needs to be operated on soon." A seering pain stabbed through my chest.
"Okay, Doc." I replied, swallowing hard.
He seemed to have perceived my fear so he patted my shoulder reassuringly before walking off to attend to another emergency.
I stood there, staring at the door leading to my father’s room.
What if I walked in there and saw the man I loved fading away, knowing I had no way to stop it?
The thought of it alone sent shivers down my spine.
Before I realized what I was doing, I turned away from his door and headed for the exit instead.
I had seventy-two
Hours to get the money.
- Writer
