002 LET GO

You will never be happy unless you let go of the things that make you sad.

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"Please give me some time, Ace. I promise to bear a son in time." I begged, swallowing my pride, hoping that we could resolve the break in our relationship without turning to divorce. I did not want to leave my husband. I love 9him.

"Your plea will not work, Phoenix." He replied as he stood from his seat. My eyes widened in surprise at his actions. "I can't go on like this." He added, his voice was low but it was enough for me to hear his words still

I stared straight into his beautiful blue eyes, hoping that they would reflect the same pain I was currently feeling. However, I was wholly disappointed. His eyes were beautiful but blank, with no emotion in them. They reminded me of a cold hard statue.

His entire face was like a blank and empty canvas. Seeing his lack of expression was a huge wake-up slap. I then realized how pathetic I'd been for begging someone like him to not leave me.

I took deep breaths to reign in my emotions, which were slowly becoming out of control. When the chaos inside me finally subsided, I opened my mouth to speak but he immediately cut me off.

"Whether you like it or not, I will file for divorce." He clenched his fist. "You will not be able to stop me. I already wasted five years of my life with you and I cannot afford to waste more!"

It was the last straw. My saintly self-control finally reached an abrupt end. Disgust flooded my body and my hands shook with rage. Filled with hatred I couldn't describe, my gaze pierced through him like a knife. He flinched as I rose from my chair with the grace of a queen.

I was a queen ready to declare war.

"If it's what you want, I will give you the freedom you ask for." If words could kill he should have died by the dagger-sharp words I shot him.

Without waiting for his response, I ripped off my wedding ring from my ring finger and tossed it on top of the table where it rolled in circles before dropping to where the stain was.

I looked at him and for once, felt nothing except hate. How could he tear apart so easily what I've been trying to fix for years? He was so cruel to end everything on our fifth wedding anniversary.

After one final glance at the look of surprise on his face, I marched out of the restaurant, hailed a cab and climbed inside.

I did not cry when I was alone inside the dimly lit cab, and I did not cry even after I spotted the familiar figure of my soon-to-be ex-husband emerging from the upscale restaurant.

I did not cry as he ran after me as if he'd lost his sanity. He continued to pursue the cab in vain and was left behind chasing his breath as the driver maneuvered the car into the dimly lit highway.

"To Saint Paul's Hospital please," I mumbled to the driver, leaning tiredly on the backseat and shut my eyes tightly until I saw stars behind my eyelids.

Exhaustion draped on my shoulders like a heavy cape. I was so mentally, physically, and emotionally drained that there's nothing I could feel except numbness.

I forced my eyes open and shifted my attention outside the window of the moving cab, blindly staring at the pit-black darkness of the deserted highway, becoming more aware of how dark and empty my life had been.

Only when the cab screeched against the cemented pavement and pulled into a stop did I become aware that I had reached my destination. I immediately clambered out of the cab and gently closed the door.

The window of the car rolled down and the driver's head peeked from inside. "You forgot to pay." He said politely, a little bit embarrassed that he had to remind me of it.

My eyes went wide and my cheeks were set aflame. I immediately grabbed paper bills from inside my wallet and handed it to him. "I'm really sorry," I mumbled apologetically with a little awkward smile, "Please keep the change." I added, watching the cab speed away before turning to the building.

The white exterior of the gigantic hospital greeted my vision when I looked up. My stomach lurched forward at the sight. I really hated this place, but I was very familiar with it. I spent most of my nights here, watching over my mom.

Cold air hit me immediately as I walked along the cold, narrow hallways, causing me to shiver. My hands immediately curled underneath my breasts, providing myself with a little bit of warmth.

I stopped at a familiar door, my face paling immediately as my trembling fingers reached for the knob. The familiar surge of fear kicked me hard in the chest, and my resolve crumbled. My hand dropped limply to my side.

A dozen possibilities invaded my thoughts, each worse than the next.

What if I see an empty bed? What if she wasn't breathing anymore? What if I came too late?

My fears grew, and tears raced down my cheeks before I knew it. I didn't cry when Ace left me, but when confronted with the possible loss of my mom, I can't promise not to cry.

I hurriedly wiped my tears with the sleeve of my blouse. "Mom?" I called out after I opened the door, but there was no response.

Panic leapt inside me as I stared at the empty hospital bed.

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