A week later, Julia signed her discharge papers alone and left the hospital.
When she got back to the villa, she started packing. She took the wedding photo off the wall, gathered up every piece of jewelry Nathan had ever given her, and tossed them–along with all those expensive gifts–into a cardboard box. Then she carried it out to the backyard and set it on fire.
The flames danced across her pale face, devouring everything that used to be beautiful. Her love had burned down to nothing but ash.
Her phone rang. It was her dad.&
Julia, why don’t you bring Nathan home for dinner this weekend? I bought your favorite ribs.”
Julia gripped the phone a little tighter. “Dad, I’ll come by myself.”
At dinner, her father frowned when she showed up alone. “Where’s Nathan?”
“He’s not coming.” Julia picked up a piece of sweet and sour rib and put it in his bowl. “We’re getting a divorce.”
“What?” Her dad shot out of his chair, the legs screeching against the floor. “Did that guy hurt you?”
Julia shook her head, but the motion caused her shirt to slip a little, revealing the bandage on her chest.
Her father’s face changed instantly. “What happened to you?“}
“It’s over, Dad,” she said quietly. “I’ve already filed for divorce. Once the papers are through, I’ll take you abroad with me.“)
She sounded so calm, but her dad was shaking with rage. “It was Nathan, wasn’t it? What did he do to you? He begged me to let you marry him–said he’d take care of you for the rest of your life. And now this? Just you wait, I’m going to find him and-”
“Dad! Please!” Julia grabbed his arm. “Please, I’m begging you, the divorce is almost final. Don’t start any more trouble…“>
He was still trembling, but her words finally got through to him.
He didn’t touch a bite for the rest of dinner.
Afterward, Julia sat with him for a while before heading home.
That night, just as she’d fallen asleep, a shrill ring cut through the silence.
“Ms. Hughes, your father’s been in a car accident. He’s in critical condition–you need to come to the hospital right away.” Her mind went completely blank. It couldn’t be. He’d just been fine a few hours ago. He’d even walked her to the door and told her to drive safe.
How could everything change so fast?
Julia rushed out, not even stopping to change her shoes.
The hospital halls were blindingly bright, the cold lights making her eyes ache.
“Doctor! How’s my dad?”
The lead doctor took off his mask, looking grave. “Ms. Hughes, your father lost a lot of blood and he needs a transfusion, but…”
“But what?”
“Mr. Haskins‘ childhood friend, Ms. Keller, just attempted suicide. He’s sent all the matching blood to her. If you can get in touch with Mr. Haskins, maybe he’ll release some for your father. That’s your best chance.”
£300 ? ± 3 E G F C F 55
Julia’s hands shook so much she could barely dial.
First call–no answer.
Second call–still nothing.
Third, fourth…
“Please, pick up just pick up…”
ANY
Her tears blurred out Nathan’s name on the screen.
On the twenty–seventh call, finally, a robotic voice: “The number you have dialed is powered off…”
She dropped the phone. It hit the floor with a crack, the screen spiderwebbing.
Suddenly she remembered that first year they were married, when Nathan handed her a new phone and told her, “Julia, my phone will always be on for you. No matter what, you’ll always be able to reach me.”
A piercing alarm went off from the ICU.
“Ms. Hughes! Hurry, your father’s crashing!”
Julia etumbled into the ICU
Her dad lay there, soaked in blood, lips pale behind the oxygen mask.
“Dad!” She fell to her knees beside him, grabbing his cold hand. “Hold on, please, just a bit longer-”
“Julia.” He raised a shaking hand to her cheek. “I wanted to see Nathan… to stand up for you… Never thought I’d be so useless. Didn’t even get to see him… and now…”
“Dad!” Julia sobbed. “Don’t talk! Please, wait for me–I’ll find blood, I promise!“%
“It’s too late…” He shook his head, barely. “My sweet girl, I can’t stay with you anymore. From now on… you have to… take care of yourself…”
His words faded, and the heart monitor let out a long, flat beep.
Julia watched as the light faded from his eyes, leaving only a dull gray behind.
His body was still warm, but all the blood was gone.
“Dad… Dad!“}
She collapsed over him, her cries echoing through the ICU.
It drizzled softly the day of the funeral.!!
