The morning sun painted the sky with hues of golden rays, casting a serene glow over the bustling city of Kentucky, a heavily pregnant young lady stepped out of the grocery shop, her blonde hair blended in with the bright rays of the sun, the gentle breeze played with her hair, and the air carried the sweet scent of fresh blooming flowers outside the nearby stall.
A gentle smile grazed Sophia's lips as she felt a slight kick in her abdomen, at the same time, her face pulled into a frown as she felt a sharp pain in her lower back, she released a sharp breath and sat on the bench placed outside the grocery shop. She recently found out she was going to have twins, and as her due date came closer, she had been receiving strong kicks from her babies, still unsure of what gender they were. It's been eight months already, Sophia sighed. She's already Eight months pregnant. Eight months since she left Evermore. Eight months from the night that Alex accused her of infidelity and ended their marriage. Eight months since her father disowned her. How has life been for her? Hectic. And how was she coping? Realizing she was delving too deep into the past, Sophia gently rubbed her palm on her tummy, shrugging off the bitter thoughts threatening to invade her mind. As she sat on a bench in silence, her phone rang, disrupting the tranquil ambiance. Sophia glanced at the screen and a smile flashed across her face as she answered the call. "Hey, Beth..." "Phi-Phi, where are you?!” a worried voice questioned from the other end and Sophia chuckled at the new nickname "You promised us you'd stay home for the next few weeks, but you're not here!" "I thought we already agreed on settling on 'Sophs' as her final nickname" a voice, unmistakably Evelyn's, whispered from the background. "Oh. I think I prefer this new one" Beth murmured in response. Sophia's lips broke into a bright smile. Her friends finding the best way to shortcut her name wasn't a new thing. "Where are you? We've been at your door knocking for the last thirty minutes thinking you were at home." a voice, bearing a noticeable Korean accent, chimed in. "I stopped by a grocery store because I ran out of food, I'll be home in the next three hours; I still have a check at the hospital" Sophia explained. "I thought you both mentioned coming to Kentucky next week? What happened? Why the change of plans?" Sophia's brow creased into a frown as she gently stood up, ready to hail a cab. "Evelyn caused the change of plans! We wanted to surprise you, but we got surprised instead," Beth grumbled. Sophia chuckled, feeling a sense of peace. She hadn't seen her friends in a while. They'd planned to visit next week, but Evelyn's impatience had led to the surprise visit. The past few months were chaotic as she has been looking for places where she could work. Job opportunities for a heavily pregnant woman were scarce. She was away from her family, and the only support she had was from her friends, Beth and Evelyn, and also Finn who made sure to visit her occasionally. "I'll hail a cab and come to meet you guys" "No!" Beth shouted from the other end and Sophia had to move the phone away from her ears "You don't need to come back just because of us, just go straight to the hospital; we'll meet you there. Your check-up with the doctor is more important than your grandma-grumpy friends." Evelyn and Beth reassured her that they were fine before the call ended, Sophia hailed a taxi to make her way to the hospital. Her heart was uneasy for some reason but the peacefulness of the day soothed her nerves and she decided to calm down, maybe she was worrying over nothing. The cab driver greeted her with a warm smile as they set off. The city's scenery passed by her window and she closed her eyes attempting to get a little rest, but the growing unease buried in her heart didn't let her get the rest she wanted. As they approached a busy intersection, the taxi driver's gaze darted to the side, his face contorted with alarm. Before Sophia could react, the screeching sound of a tire filled the air, and a car careened into them, crashing into the taxi's side. Sophia was thrown sideways in her seat and she instinctively wrapped her hands around her belly when a sharp pain coursed through her. She winces sharply and sees the other car driving off—a hit-and-run! "Someone please help my babies!" she cried clutching her belly tightly in fear, the world around her blurred. As she lay cramped in the small space, the world around her turned empty as different thoughts invaded her mind, and at this moment, the thought of 'him' flooded her mind— Alex. Although he wasn't here— he was the first person that came to her mind. A tear found its way out of her eyes as she realized that she hadn't gotten over him yet. He wasn't here and even if he were to be with her, what would he do? Has she not still gotten over him after this past few months? Why were things so difficult for her? Why did she have to face life bitterly? Why...? Tears welled in her eyes; she hadn't moved on. Paramedics soon arrived at the scene, gently helping Sophia out of the wrecked taxi and onto a stretcher. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, and she couldn't shake the fear of losing her precious babies. The pain in her abdomen was a constant reminder of the delicate lives she carried. The thought of something happening to her babies or them being born prematurely sent waves of worry through her already exhausted mind. Sophia's thoughts drifted to her husband, or rather, ex-husband; the one person who should have been by her side during this challenging time. But he had turned his back on her, leaving her to face the trials of pregnancy and impending motherhood alone. Tears welled up in her eyes as she clung to the hope that, somehow, he would find out about her condition and come rushing to be with her. But she knew it was unlikely, as she had gone to great lengths to keep her pregnancy a secret, flying out of the country to avoid him finding out. The weight of her solitude was crushing, and she longed for the presence of someone, anyone, to hold her hand and offer comfort. She desperately wanted to close her eyes and sleep, her eyes were feeling heavy. After what felt like a decade's journey, they finally arrived at the hospital and she was rushed into the operating room. The doctors informed her that the babies needed to be born prematurely to improve their chances of survival; Sophia's mind raced with anxiety. A doctor patted her hand as a form of assurance "I know this is a difficult moment for you, but we need to act swiftly to give your babies the best chance. The accident has put stress on their tiny bodies although their health is stable," "We must deliver them prematurely to minimize any potential harm. We can proceed with either a natural birth or c-section." another doctor added. Sophia breathed heavily "I want to try a natural birth" her voice trembled "Please do whatever you can to help them. I just want them to be okay." Sophia's eyes filled with tears as she thought about the uncertain fate of her babies. The doctor noticed her distress and gently held her hand. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she thought about how she had ended up in this situation; alone, abandoned, and facing one of the most challenging moments of her life without a partner to hold her hand. The memories of her husband leaving her, the pain of their broken marriage, and the loneliness that followed all came rushing back, intensifying her anguish. As the doctors began the procedure, Sophia felt a mixture of relief and terror. Relief that her babies would soon have a chance at life outside the womb, but terror that they might not be strong enough to survive the premature birth. The pain was excruciating, and at this moment the face of Alex flashed in her eyes again. She still loves him and her heart ached badly, yearning for some sort of way to pay him back in a thousand folds. From sweet love to burning hate. She pushed with all her strength, her breaths became labored, and her vision blurred. The accident had taken a toll on her body and all she wanted to do was close her eyes and sleep. No; she refused to close her eyes as she kept on pushing after hearing the cue from the doctor. Sophia felt a moment of isolation wash over her as she battled the pain. Hurt. Exhausted. Pained and weak. Just when she felt alone, she sensed a strong presence near her. Someone's warm palms wrapped around her own, and a soft voice whispered into her ear. "Sophia, I'm sorry for arriving late, you are a strong woman. Please don't close your eyes. You can do it, you are doing great and you're not alone. Sophia, I promise ..." the voice broke at the end. Sophia couldn't discern who it was, but the words and the presence of whoever it was comforted her and her heart eased as she tried harder. The room grew hazy. One of the vigilant nurses noticed an alarming sign. "Doctor, she's bleeding a lot!” she shouted—an urgent cry. Hearing those words weakened Sophia, and she didn't realize when tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down uncontrollably. Her babies.In her private office at the hospital, a young woman took a moment to relax. She swiveled in her chair, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. The gentle sunbeams filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on her, and an air of elegance surrounded her. Her eyes, previously closed, blinked open as she looked around her office. Her gaze lingered on the wall adorned with framed certificates and awards, evidence of her hard-earned achievements over the past five years. Among them, a framed picture caught her attention. It depicted her standing proudly with her twins, Aiden and Adeline, one on each side. Sophia sighed as she gently brushed her hair away from her face, feeling the exhaustion seep into her bones. Glancing at her wristwatch, she noticed that the school's closing hours had come and gone, and the twins were likely already home. The weight of her demanding work schedule had left her with little time to spend with them this week. A pang of guilt tug
"No. He wouldn't be there," Sophia finally answered. "It's not a problem, Mommy. Just having you here means everything to me. I'm sure Adeline feels the same way. Besides, it's time we stop dwelling on him," he said, his gaze shifting to his sister. His serious expression added years to his young face, causing a pang of sorrow in Sophia's heart. "I read a quote in a book I came across on your table a while back," Aiden said with a smile. "It said, 'People make time for what they value,' so maybe he's just too busy to spend time with us. Or check up on us."Sophia's heart sank at his words. She couldn't help but wonder how quickly her children were growing up. This wasn't how a five-year-old should be. They were supposed to be lively, full of life, and surrounded by the abundant love of both parents. Aiden seemed to be handling it better than his sister, but she knew that those who tried to hide their pain behind a facade of strength were often the ones hurting the most.
In the stillness of midnight, Sophia lay cocooned in the embrace of deep slumber, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight seeping through the curtains. The silence of the night was abruptly shattered by the intrusive ring of her phone, perched on the bedside table. Her face pulled into a deep frown and she stirred in her sleep, reaching out for the pillows and covering her ears, choosing to ignore the call. After a long day at the hospital, she returned a few hours ago and had to tuck the twins to sleep before she came into her room barely an hour ago, and just when she was settling and drifting to sleep, the caller decided to interrupt. The caller seemed persistent, as her phone kept on ringing aggressively. Sophia cried out, before reaching for the phone, failing to check the caller ID as she answered the call. "Dr. Sophia Smith, speaking. How may I assist you?" she muttered, her tone precise, rising to sit up on the bed and turn on the bedside lamp, trying to blin
"Sophia, this had better be a damned one-off, or your future here is toast! And I'll personally ensure you pay dearly for it!" "If there's one thing a doctor should never do," Dr. Sarah began, her tone sharp as a scalpel, "it's to walk into an operating room or commence a procedure with a heart full of conflicting emotions! With the accolades you've received in this hospital, I'm certain you need no reminder of this fundamental rule. Yet, you faltered the moment you stepped inside!" It was 10 AM the next morning, and Sophia found herself seated in Dr. Sarah Mitchell's office, the assistant to the Chief of Surgical Service Director. Dr. Mitchell, a young woman with honey-blonde hair, exuded an air of disapproval that hung heavily in the room. Her demeanor toward Sophia was far from friendly, as her interactions were marked by a noticeable coldness and rudeness, making the atmosphere tense and uncomfortable. Sophia wasn't supposed to be here. She was meant to be with
Sophia's gaze was drawn to the nurse outside, who was now encircled by a small group, her forehead showing signs of injury. To either side of the door, two armed men stood guard. But she was more surprised about the fact that none of his family members were present."Did the patient cause this?" She inquired, facing the injured nurse, and the chief, a middle-aged man with glasses and dark hair, nodded. He stood by the side of the door, his back resting against the wall, his furrowed brows revealing the stress he was already under. "I'm entirely uncertain about the cause of the patient's sudden agitation. That's why I requested for you," he uttered, his voice thoughtful. "Maybe you should attempt to engage in a conversation with him," he suggested.Before Sophia could respond, he added, "You're the only doctor on duty who can handle this patient. Please be cautious." With that, he gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder and departed."Should we consider getting a psychiatrist?" Arie
Sophia felt a sudden rush of sweat as the room grew uncomfortably warm, and his intense gaze remained locked on her eyes. She finally mustered the courage to ask, "How do you know about the twins?""I searched for you, Sophia," he admitted, his eyes revealing regret and longing. "You weren't in the country, or else I would have found you. I learned about them after your return.""How long have you known?" Sophia's voice trembled, her clenched fists betraying her emotions. The fact that he had known about Aiden and Adeline all this time, yet never reached out, infuriated her."I knew about the twins from the moment you set foot back in the country," Alex confessed through clenched teeth. "It's been three years. I spotted you and the twins, but I couldn't bring myself to reveal my presence. There were...complications.""Can I meet them?" Alex asked, his pale green eyes bore into her, his voice low - his gaze dropping briefly before locking onto Sophia's face, even behind her mask, recog
Hearing the loud, disruptive voice that barged into the room, Alex remained unfazed and calmly used one of the pillows to cover his ears before muttering "Shut the hell up! This is a hospital, and you're being obnoxiously loud!""For someone who injured a nurse, you have no right to lecture me on hospital etiquette!" Matt, with his chiseled jaw and intense brown eyes, shot Alex a stern look as he entered the room. His dark hair, slightly tousled, added to his rugged charm. He dropped himself heavily onto the couch, his sleeves rolled up to reveal intricate tattoos that snaked down his forearms.He had just arrived at the hospital a few minutes ago and he overheard a few of the nurses talking about an aggressive patient in the hospital who pursued his attending nurses from his room and threw a mug at one. Matt had laughed at how ridiculous that sounded, thinking the patient might be mentally unstable.Only to end up finding out that this patient was none other than Alex.Matthew Carson
After conversing for hours, Nick and Matt finally left, leaving Alex in the room, gazing blankly at the ceiling. He looked down at the IV connected to his hand and recalled the brief touch of Sophia's hand on his skin.A brief sigh escaped his lips, realizing how he couldn't stay a moment without thinking about her. It's been years, he is happy to see her, and he couldn't wait to meet the twins also.Even at the thoughts of this; guilt and regret were heavily buried inside his heart.Yes, he was and still is a jerk for not remembering the night he slept with her. Although, he still recalls the night he went home heavily drunk. But what happened after was hazy in his memory. Alex's attention was drawn to the door when he heard a gentle knock."Come in."The door was slowly opened from outside and a young lady peeked her head in, her eyes lighting up when she saw Alex."Alex!" she squealed before fully stepping into the room. "I was so scared when I heard about what happened, how are y