CHAPTER SEVEN

Lucy’s POV 

The subtle sound of beeping machines stirred me awake. My vision came into focus on the white walls surrounding me, the scent of sterility burning my sensitive nose.

My body felt heavy. Like something was pressing down on me. My mouth tasted like metal. Something cold and plastic was stuck in my arm. I tried to move, but even lifting my hand made my whole body ache. Everything hurts. 

I blinked slowly to realize I was still alive. And then it hit me. Flashes of me drowning, and no one even came back for me. 

I turned my head weakly, and then I saw Tom. Sitting right beside the bed. Slouched forward like he hadn’t slept. His shirt was wrinkled. His eyes looked red and puffy, like maybe he cried. 

“Lucy… You’re okay.” he breathed, as soon as he saw my eyes open. 

I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sure how to feel. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted him here. The door creaked open. I heard them before I saw them. Blair and Noah. 

They walked in like they were entering a birthday party. Carrying takeout bags. Laughing about something. Their hands locked together like a happy little team. 

They paused when they noticed I was awake. 

“Mom!” Noah ran to me and jumped into my arms like nothing happened. 

I held him, because he’s still my son. But something inside me cracked. He was still a child, I had to tell myself. What could he have done to help me?

“You scared me.” Noah said softly. “You almost drowned.” 

I didn’t respond. Because in my head, all I kept hearing was the way I screamed their names. And no one came. 

“Thank God you’re okay, Lucy!” Blair chirped, stepping closer.  

She grabbed my hand with both of hers, squeezing it like we were best friends.

I just looked at her. Did she really believe I was stupid enough to fall for this?  I wanted to snatch away. I wanted to slap her. Because I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wouldn’t have happened if she weren’t here.  

“You were so lucky that a diver passed by. He saved you just in time.” she said like she was narrating a scene in a movie.

“You must be so exhausted. Are you hungry? Noah and I picked out some food for you.” She acted like nothing happened.

I almost died. 

And none of the three people in this room had even searched for me. But now here they were smiling, pretending, handing me food like it would fix everything. 

It made it worse. 

That night, I insisted on being discharged from the hospital. I couldn’t stand the thought of the three of them playing house at the hotel while I lay in a sterile bed, forgotten.

Tom paid the bill. Blair with all smiles, she carried most of our things like some proud, and helpful wife. Tom and Noah held my hands, one on each side, as if we were a perfect little family again. 

Everything felt fake. 

I didn’t have the strength to sit through another round of their pretend happiness. 

Tom helped Noah into his pajamas like everything was normal. He knelt beside him, tucked the blanket just under his chin, even whispered something that made Noah giggle softly.

I stood by the door, arms crossed, pretending not to care but I saw it. Every careful gesture. Every soft word. Like he was trying to earn back points I never agreed to give. 

After Noah fell asleep, Tom came back into the room holding a glass of water and my pills like usual. 

“The doctor said you need to drink this before sleeping,” he said.

He sat down by the edge of the bed. I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. 

“Thank you.” I said quietly, because I didn’t know what else to say. 

He paused for a moment, like he was waiting for something. Maybe a smile. Maybe a conversation. But I didn’t give him anything. Not anymore. 

After I swallowed the pills, I handed him back the glass. I turned away and curled up on my side of the bed. I didn’t want to see his face. But I was stunned when he put the blanket on me before he left.

I closed my eyes. My thoughts were loud, but I forced myself to pretend I was fine. But just when my mind started to drift, I heard something. 

A loud voice. Then another. Shouting and arguing from the room next door. 

I sat up with my heart racing because deep down I knew that voice. 

“Tom?” I whispered. 

I was reaching for him, but his side of the bed was cold and empty. I stood slowly. Though still weak, I walked toward the sliding door of the balcony. 

Then I heard it. It was crystal clear.

“Blair, just stop it. She will wake up.” 

My stomach dropped, my fears confirmed. It was Tom. Why was he there?

Even though I was still healing and still hurting, I forced myself to step out onto the balcony. My eyes widened. Tom and Blair were just feet away on the balcony. Talking like this was their house. 

I stayed hidden behind the frame, just enough to see but not be seen. 

Blair crossed her arms and scoffed. “Come on, Tom. Don’t tell me you actually love that ugly, fat wife of yours.” 

I froze on the balcony, a sickly heat radiating in the pit of my stomach. Her words broke me. I shouldn’t have been surprised that she felt that way, and maybe that’s what truly hurt. I wasn’t.

“Love?” Tom scoffed. “She’s a goddamn whale. I can’t even look at her naked. It’s disgusting.” 

What did I just hear? 

I clamped a hand over my mouth to stop the sob that ripped up my throat from my husband’s cruel words.

Blair spat out, voice shaking with rage, “Then why the hell didn’t you just let her die?”