Surviving the Night

When Anna opened her eyes again, she was surrounded by a group of nurses who were all trying to revive her.

“We need an IV line here,” a nurse shouted, pointing at someone else.   

“Her pulse is weak, BP dropping fast,” another nurse said from the other side of Anna.   

“Anna?” someone called out.   

Anna turned her head towards the sound and saw Lily, her best friend, with a crease of worry on her forehead.   

“I think she is awake now,” Lily said, getting the nurse's attention.   

“Hey there, take it easy,” the doctor said, holding her shoulder as she tried to sit up.   

“What happened?” Anna asked, her voice groggy as she looked around in confusion.  

“Take slow breaths; do you feel any pain or dizziness?” the doctor asked.  

“No, I just feel a little lightheaded,” Anna responded.  

“That’s okay, we will keep you hydrated and run some tests to make sure everything is alright.” The doctor stated.  

“Thank you so much, doctor,” Lily said, a look of relief on her face.   

Once they were satisfied with her vitals, the doctors and nurses left the room. Lily turned to Anna, squeezing her palm as she sat on the bedside.  

“How did you get to me so fast?” Anna asked as tears pooled in her eyes.  

“I got your SOS message,” Lily responded before adding, “I’m glad I insisted on putting it on your phone."   

“I must have pressed the button just before I passed out,” Anna said, her voice husky with emotions as she tried to stop the tears from flowing down her eyes.  

“I called Simon, but his number was switched off, and then I had to rush over, and my heart flew as I saw you lying down there. I had to rush you down to the hospital. Anna, what happened? Did you tell him about the...” Anna said, trailing off.  

Anna shook her head, her eyes cast down as she muttered, “No, I did not; he wants a divorce."  

“Oh my god!” Lily mumbled in shock.  

Before Anna could say more, a nurse walked in and said, "You are good to go, but you can choose to rest here for the night."   

"Thank you, nurse," Lily said as the nurse checked Anna for the last time and left.   

"I think you should stay the…" Lily was saying.   

"No," Anna said, cutting her off before adding, "I need to go home. I need to go see my father," Anna said.   

Lily knew how stubborn Anna could be when her mind was made up, so instead of arguing, she said, "Okay, I'll go with you, and then I'll take you home to get your things."   

Anna nodded, and they parked, got some medications, and left the hospital. In no time, Lily drove into the garage of the Howard family. Lily waited in the car, knowing Anna would want the space.  

"What are you doing here?" John Howard, Anna's father, asked as soon as he saw her.   

"Dad, I am…" Anna tried to explain.   

"No, you need to go; you can't be here," John said, his voice panicked.  

"You should be happy that now you can leave the country to be with anyone." Cordelia said with scorn.  

"Don't you even want to hear what I have to say?" Anna asked.  

"I don't think we care what you have to say; your part is done now; you can leave the country." Nancy, Anna's stepsister said.   

"You forced me to live with the man I love to marry Simon in place of Nancy, and now you what? Want to discard me like a used rag?" Anna said, her voice shaking with emotion.   

"You got something in return, didn't you?" John shouted, getting visibly angry.   

"You mean you got all the money!" Anna shouted at him.   

A sharp sound echoed through the room, silenced everything as Anna's head snapped to the side, a burning sting spreading across her cheek as John landed a resounding slap across her face.  

"You will not talk to your father that way," Cordelia snapped, standing up from her seat.   

Anna laughed bitterly, almost possessed, as she turned to face Cordelia.  

"Just admit it, that it is not Nancy who is in this situation right now," Anna said, then turned to face her father as she added, "You sold me off for money, three months—you said that was how long it would take."   

"Well, it took three years, which means I get more money," John responded with any iota of regret.  

"We paid for your mother's medical bill with the same money, Anna; you should be grateful," Cordelia stated.  

"Grateful?" Anna snorted, looking at her in scorn as she added, "After you practically sold me off to save the organization."  

"He needed a contract wife, and we needed the money. There was no way I would allow Nancy to get into such a marriage. You were the only option." Cordelia stated flatly.  

"It was great while it lasted, but now you should go. I do not wish to get involved in the Parker family feud; leave town while you still can," John said, pointing towards the door.  

"Thanks for the save, Anna. You have always been so reliable," Nancy said in mockery.  

"I will leave, and I'm taking my mother with me." Anna stated, heading towards the door.   

"Leave and never return, Anna; that was the contract you signed." John said, and then something came into his voice as he added, "Do not come here again; don't bring trouble to my doorsteps."  

As they spoke, John received a call; he walked a few steps away and picked it up.  

"What?" John exclaimed, turning to look at Cordelia, and they exchanged a glance.  

Anna didn't think much of it, blinded by her own misery to notice whatever it was they were trying to pass across to each other.  

"Never again will you see me on your doorsteps," Anna stated with her hand on the doorknob.  

"You should be more worried about making it through the night,” Nancy muttered, and Anna's hand froze on the doorknob.