broken vows

Chapter 7

Broken Vows

Juliana’s words hung in the air like a loaded gun. Her eyes, usually soft when she looked at him, now burned with cold anger.

“So this is it?” Juliana repeated, her voice cracking just a little. She stepped closer, her black coat shining with raindrops. “After everything our families built together, you want to throw it away for a woman who is married and lying in a coma?”

Dan swallowed hard. “I never lied to you about my feelings, Juliana. Our engagement was arranged. You knew that from the start. But Judith… she came into my life like a storm. I tried to fight it. I really did.”

Juliana laughed bitterly. She wiped water from her cheek, but it wasn’t just rain. “Fight it? You deleted messages, stared at her pictures at night, and even followed her once. I have proof of everything.” She held up her phone again. “My investigator was very thorough.”

Dan’s heart pounded. “What do you want from me?”

“I want what was promised,” she said, her tone turning sharp. “The merger between our companies. The power. The respect. If you leave me for her, I will destroy you, Dan. I know about the money you moved in secret. I know about the deal you cut with those shady suppliers last year. One call and the police will reopen every file.”

Before Dan could reply, his phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen. It was the hospital. His face went pale as he answered.

“Yes… This is Dan. What? Judith’s condition changed?” He listened, eyes wide. “I’m coming right now.”

He ended the call and looked at Juliana. Her face twisted with pain and rage. “Go then. Run to her. Just remember that I can destroy your life and everything you've built. I won’t just cry and let you go. I will burn everything down.”

Dan didn’t wait. He grabbed his jacket and rushed out into the rain. His mind was full of Judith — her smile, her strength, and her innocence. He knew it was wrong, but his heart refused to listen.

At the hospital, Ethan sat beside Judith’s bed, his eyes red from lack of sleep. Lily had been brought in earlier by her nanny but was not allowed into the room to protect her from the painful sight. Ethan insisted she stay close so he could care for her.

“You said my mum asked you to bring me. Where is she then?” the little girl asked.

“Lily, I’m your daddy. I’m here to care for you. Mummy will be here shortly, okay?”

“You are my daddy?” she asked in surprise.

“Yes, baby. I am.”

Ethan’s phone rang. It was Marcus Kane.

“Ethan, my friend,” Marcus said smoothly. “I heard what happened. I’m so sorry. I’ve cleared my schedule. Let me handle the board meetings and the legal issues from the shooting. You focus on your wife. We can talk about contracts later.”

Ethan felt too tired to argue. “Thank you, Marcus. I appreciate it.” He ended the call, not knowing he had just opened the door for his rival.

The door to the room opened softly. Elena walked in carrying a bouquet of white lilies. Her face looked sad and caring. “Ethan… I came as soon as I heard. How is she?”

Ethan looked up, surprised. For a moment, old memories flashed in his mind — the years they spent together before Judith. Elena sat beside him and gently touched his shoulder.

“I know things have been bad between us,” she said softly. “But I still care about you. Let me stand by you. You can’t do this alone.”

Ethan wanted to push her away, but right now he felt weak. “Thank you, Elena,” he said quietly.

Juliana could not stay away. After Dan left her in the rain, anger and pain pushed her to the hospital. She wanted to see Dan and maybe catch him with Judith. She parked her car and walked into the waiting area near the ward. Her eyes were red from crying.

She sat down heavily, holding a cup of coffee from the hospital machine. A well-dressed woman sat near her, also looking worried.

“Long night?” the woman asked kindly.

Juliana looked up. The woman had sharp eyes but a soft smile. “Yes. My… fiancé came here suddenly. Family issues.”

The woman nodded. “I understand. I came to support an old friend. His wife is very sick. Someone tried to hurt her.”

They started talking. The woman introduced herself as Elena. Juliana gave her name too. They spoke about the stress of hospital visits, difficult relationships, and how men sometimes broke hearts. It felt easy to talk, like they understood each other’s pain without knowing the full story.

“I just want what is best for everyone,” Elena said. “Sometimes we have to fight for our place.”

Juliana agreed. “Yes. I have given too much. If my fiance leaves me, I will protect what is mine.”

They laughed a little over small things, sharing stories about selfish men and strong women. Before long, they exchanged phone numbers. “Let’s meet for coffee soon,” Elena said. “It is nice to find a new friend in hard times.”

Juliana smiled. “I would like that.”

They did not yet know how their lives were connected through Ethan, Dan, and Judith. It was just two women talking in a hospital waiting room.

Back near Judith’s room, Ethan stood up suddenly. Judith’s fingers moved again. Her lips opened slightly.

“Gun shot…” she whispered weakly.

Ethan’s heart stopped. He looked at Elena, who had stepped out for a moment. Doubt filled his mind.

Dan saw the movement from the window. He stepped closer, but a doctor rushed in and closed the curtains. Dan’s phone buzzed. It was a message from an unknown number: “Stay away from Judith or your secrets come out.”

He looked around, nervous.

In the waiting area, Elena’s phone rang. She excused herself from Juliana. “I need to check on my friend. Talk soon?”

Juliana nodded. “Yes. Call me anytime.”

Elena walked back toward the room with a hidden smile. Her new friendship with Juliana felt useful, though she did not know why yet.

Suddenly, the hospital lights flickered. An alarm rang loudly from Judith’s room.

“Code Blue! She’s crashing again!” nurses shouted as they ran past.

Dan rushed forward. Ethan ran out of the room in panic. At the same moment, Juliana stood up when she heard the noise and walked toward the ward.

Elena reached the room first. She saw both Dan and Juliana moving closer. For a second, her eyes met Juliana’s across the hallway. Both women looked surprised.

As doctors worked on Judith, one nurse found something strange in the new medicine bag.