Sophia woke to the sterile smell of antiseptic and the beeping of machines. Her body ached all over, and her chest felt tight, as though she were still underwater. Panic surged through her for a moment before she realized she was alive—barely.
She turned her head slowly, wincing at the pain that radiated through her neck. A nurse stood by her side, adjusting the IV.
“You’re awake,” the nurse said softly, her voice calm and soothing. “You gave us quite a scare. How are you feeling?”
Sophia tried to speak, but her throat was dry, and her voice came out as a rasp. “Water…”
The nurse poured a glass and held it to her lips. Sophia sipped slowly, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat.
“You’ve been here for two days,” the nurse explained gently. “You had water in your lungs, and your body went into shock. But you’re stable now.”
Sophia nodded weakly, her mind spinning. She remembered the pool, Hannah’s cruel laugh, and the icy grip of the water pulling her under. But everything after that was a blur.
“What about my baby?” Her eyes panicked while she Attempted to rise but the nurse pushed her back.
“Your baby is barely two months old but is fine. You're really lucky.” The nurse said.
Sophia sighed in relief at that as she laid back in the bed.
“Has anyone come to see me?” she managed to whisper.
The nurse hesitated, a flicker of pity crossing her face. “No, dear. No one has checked in.”
Sophia closed her eyes, the truth cutting deeper than the pain in her body.
Later that evening, she went back home but didn't find Ryan home. When she asked the workers, they told her he hadn't been home for two days too.
Sophia nodded as she went upstairs barely able to walk with how weak her body still was.
Another day passed and Ryan still hadn't come home. Sophia had her lawyer print out the divorce papers and she had signed them and placed them in a brown envelope by the bedside.
She was about to sleep when Ryan finally walked in. She didn't even give him a chance when she spoke up.
“We need to talk,”
Ryan looked at her with a plain expression, “I’m tired, Sophia. Let’s talk later.” He bypassed her and was headed for the bathroom.
“I want a divorce.” She said.
Ryan halted his steps, turning to face her like she had gone crazy, “Let’s do this later, I need to rest.” He said, thinking she was just throwing a childish tantrum.
“I’m serious, Ryan. I’m done.” She took the signed Divorce papers and handed them over to him.
Ryan stared at the papers, not moving an inch. His expression was unreadable when he looked at her, “If it’s about Hannah-”
“I don’t want to hear it. Save it for someone interested in knowing about your precious Hannah” Sophia spat coldly, “I’m done loving you.”
“Sophia-”
“What’s my favorite color? No wait, here is a simpler question, when is my birthday Ryan?” Sophia asked, her eyes shining with tears that were on the verge of dropping.
Ryan ran a hand in his hair before responding, “Why can't you just trust me? Do I have to prove myself by knowing your birthday?”
“Trust you?” Sophia laughed like she had just heard the joke of the century. “Where has that ever gotten me?” Tears were now rolling down her face.
Ryan was taken aback and was speechless. He didn't know what to say or explain himself, after all, he did return home after four days, and the last she saw him, he excused himself to answer a call. Now that he thought of it, he hadn't seen her and didn't know how she got home.
Sophia shook her head in disappointment, “You know nothing about me yet we’ve been married for three years. It was my birthday five days ago. You couldn’t even text because you were too busy rekindling your love. You know what, I don’t even blame you. It was me who insisted on this marriage anyway.”
“I know you’re upset but if you do this, there is no going back.” Ryan pointed out, taking the papers from her.
Sophia laughed, a bitter laugh erupted from her throat as she held his gaze,
“Going back? What’s there to go back to?”
