Chapter 5

In the days after the surgery, it felt like the old William was back.

He would get up early to make me chicken soup and bring it to my bedside. He would even blow on each spoonful until it cooled, then feed me.

At night, he would stay on the couch in the living room and would not leave my side.

“Sonnet, we’re still young. We can have more children later.”

However, it did not last. The day of my mother’s surgery, everything fell apart.

At dawn, Jolie called.

William picked up, walked out to the balcony, and talked for a few minutes.

When he came back, he looked agitated. “Something’s wrong with Jolie. I have to go.”

I stayed quiet.

After all, this was supposed to be the last day.

Once my mother’s surgery was over, I would transfer her to another hospital and leave the city for good. After that, William and I would have nothing to do with each other.

However, when the time for my mother’s surgery arrived, no one came to get her for surgery.

I ran to the nurses’ station. “Excuse me, is the lead surgeon, Dr. Meyer, here yet? When does my mother’s surgery start?”

The nurse glanced at me and replied, “Ma’am, you haven’t heard? Ms. Howard was feeling unwell this morning. Mr. Aldous had Dr. Meyer go see her first.”

My blood ran cold.

“What?!”

“Apparently, Ms. Howard didn’t sleep well last night, and her heart rate’s a little unstable. Mr. Aldous said Dr. Meyer should check on her first. Your mother’s surgery can wait.”

I frantically pulled out my phone and called William.

It wasn’t until the twelfth call that he finally picked up.

“William, my mom’s surgery—”

Before I could finish, he cut me off, saying, “I’m well aware of Wilma’s condition. Harold will come once he’s finished checking on Jolie. Don’t get yourself worked up.”

Then, he hung up before I could say another word.

All that was left on the other end was the cold dial tone.

I stood there, frozen in shock.

A few minutes later, an ER nurse came rushing out. Her face was pale.

“Patient in bed 302 has gone into shock. Prep for emergency resuscitation now!”

The medical staff urgently called Harold for help.

However, when the call connected, I heard Jolie’s weak voice.

“William, I feel awful...”

Right after that came William’s voice, tinged with irritation.

“Sonnet, what kind of game are you playing now? Are you seriously putting on this whole act just so Harold will check on Wilma first?”

“No, William, I’m not faking—”

I wanted to explain further, but he hung up on me again.

The double doors to the operating theatre swung open. The doctor stepped out, still in scrubs, and shook his head. His face was grim.

“I’m sorry. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. We did everything we could.”

In an instant, my world collapsed completely.

I had lost my child, given up the rosary, and sacrificed my career. Everything that I had, I gave away.

I played by his rules and compromised time after time.

Yet in the end, just because Jolie had not slept well, I lost my mother forever.

I laughed until I cried, then hauled my weak body through the paperwork and walked out of that hospital.

It was not until the afternoon that William finally showed up at the ward with Harold.

When he pushed open the door, the room was empty. My mother and I were gone.

He frowned and said impatiently, “Where has Sonnet taken her mother? The surgery is about to start. What is she throwing a tantrum about now?”

A nurse, Kelly Trent, beside him, looked grim and replied softly, “Mr. Aldous, Wilma Elder passed away.”