That night,I went back to the villa.
I packed up everything that belonged to Michael and me and threw it all away without hesitation.After I was done with it all,I looked around at the now empty place.My heart soon felt unbearably lonely.
In the evening,I lay on the bed,unable to sleep.Suddenly,I smelled the familiar scent beside me.Michael reached out like he used to,trying to pull me into his arms,but I quietly avoided him.
His body stiffened for a moment.After a while,he explained,“The things I said this afternoon was because...I didn’t want Alice’s child to be born without a proper status."
He continued,"Elizabeth,you are still my legal wife.That will never change.Tomorrow,I’ll go with you to see Archer,okay?”
He didn’t want Alicia’s child to be born without a father,yet he could watch my child grow up without one.
I didn’t want to listen to his empty excuses anymore.I turned over and closed my eyes.
The next morning,Michael was already gone.When I opened my phone,I saw a message he sent thirty minutes earlier:[I had something to do and left early.I’ll come to the hospital to be with you and Archer after I’m done.]
***
The moment I arrived at the hospital,urgent medical sounds came from Archer’s room.My son's condition had worsened again.
I stood there helplessly,watching doctors rush in and out of his room.
Soon,a doctor came to me anxiously.“Mrs.Turner,Archer’s condition is critical.He needs surgery immediately."
"But this operation is extremely difficult.Only Dr.Michael Turner can perform it…and we can’t reach him right now.”
Remembering what Michael said last night,I took out my phone with hope and called him.
My high heels echoed back and forth in the hallway as if it was stepping on my already broken heart.
Just when I was about to lose hope,the call connected.
Before he could speak,I begged,“Michael,Archer is getting worse again.Please come to the hospital and operate on him!”
But instead of Michael,Alicia’s spoiled voice came through the phone.“Mike,can you not go?Our puppy also needs company.”
A few seconds later,Michael’s voice stabbed into my heart like a knife.“I’m sorry,Elizabeth.Alice’s dog is injured today too.I can’t leave.”
He didn’t even wait for my reply.As if he wanted to escape,he hung up quickly.
“Beep…beep…beep…”
The busy tone sounded like mocking laughter.
Then my phone vibrated again.It was a voice recording from Alicia.
I heard both her and Michael’s voices.
[Mike,maybe you should go first.I can take care of the dog alone.From Eliza’s voice,it sounds like that boy really needs your surgery.]
Michael replied gently.[Silly girl,why are you pushing me toward another woman?This dog is something we adopted together.Now that it’s sick,of course I’ll stay with you.]
[Besides,you’re carrying our child now.Even if Elizabeth’s Archer really dies,so what?That bastard kid,I wish he would die immediately!]
His vicious words echoed in my ears.My world spun.I collapsed to the floor,tears blurring my vision.
I turned my head and stared at Archer.He lay on the hospital bed,his chest rising and falling more and more weakly.The next second,I burst into uncontrollable sobs.
So Michael couldn’t come today because he was taking care of their dog.In his heart,my son wasn’t even as important as a dog.
Michael…I hate you.If I had never married you,would everything be different?Would Archer be healthy and safe?
I cried until I had no strength left.
Just then,I heard footsteps.A familiar figure stopped in front of me.
I looked up and saw Franco Williams.
I grabbed his clothes tightly,my voice full of desperation.“Franco,please save my son.As long as you can save him,I’ll do anything.”
Franco gently patted my back.“Don’t worry.As long as I’m here,he will be fine.”
Franco quickly changed into surgical clothes and went into the operating room.
My phone vibrated again.This time,it was a message from Michael:[Don’t forget to come to my promotion celebration tonight.]
I let out a cold laugh,tears sliding down my face.
My son almost died because of his first love and he was thinking about his promotion party!
I replied with one word:[Sure.]
I would definitely attend that banquet.With a huge surprise Michael wouldn't ever forget !
