5. In your face!

SYLVIE

Walking into the hallway of the hospital felt like PTSD to me. Memories of Logan and Kate kept replaying in my head. I shrugged it off and walked in further.

Despite the numerous changes. The new paint on the wall, a new picture of my father. Including a brand new design of the hospital name. There is still that constant, which can stand the test of time. The smell.

A sterile mix of antiseptic and freshly laundered scrubs filled my lungs, an all-too-familiar scent that instantly transported me back to the past. It’s a past I had worked so hard to escape.

I exhaled slowly, straightening my posture. I wasn’t that broken woman anymore. I wasn’t the naive, lovesick girl desperate for scraps of affection from a man who never truly saw me.

No.

I am Dr. Sylvie Rhodes, one of the most sought-after surgeons in the country, and I was here on my terms.

As I moved down the corridor, I caught sight of familiar faces, some nodding in recognition, others whispering behind my back. They knew. They remembered. But none of that mattered now.

“Hi, I have an appointment to see Richard Rhodes,” I said to the receptionist who wasn’t paying attention but focused on her phone.

“Hello?” I called out to her again and she looked up.

“You don’t have an appointment,” she said and I scoffed.

“You haven't even checked,” I snapped at her. This is my father’s hospital and I will be treated with respect.

“Don’t…” she didn’t finish her statement as her face lit up with recognition. “Do–Doctor Rhode,” she stammered, getting up. “Room 605, VIP wing,” 

“My apologies, Doctor Rhodes,” she fidgeted and I smiled. Now that’s what it means to bear my name. Without so much as a glance at her, I walked away towards the elevator.

Some faces were filled with recognition, while others held a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. I could hear the whispers trailing behind me, murmuring speculations about my return.

"Is that her?"

"I heard she left and never looked back."

I ignored them. Their words were nothing more than background noise, irrelevant to the woman I had become.

As I stepped into the elevator, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the encounter with my father. Our relationship was... complicated. We'd always had our differences, and the past five years had only added to the tension between us.

The elevator doors slid open, and I made my way to Room 605. I knocked twice, but there was no answer. I opened up the door and the sight before me broke my heart.

“Dad,” my voice cracked as I walked towards him and took his hands which were ice cold. “Oh my goodness, Dad!” I cried out as I looked at the monitor connected to his heart.

My eyes drifted to the piece of paper attached to the wall beside him. Do not resuscitate. The tears have been holding since I walked in, came running down.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, all the air sucked out of me. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My father, the man who had always been so full of life, so vibrant and strong, was lying in that bed, his body weak.

I looked up at the monitor again, my eyes scanning the numbers and readings, my mind racing with thoughts of what could have happened. I knew he was sick, his health had always been deteriorating. But a DNR?, Aren’t the Doctors taking things this far?

“You are here,” I wiped my tears and turned around to see Maryann. She looks radiant. My father is on his deathbed and his wife doesn’t look brokenhearted.

“Hello, Mother,” a figure emerged from behind her. “Emily,” I greeted my foster sister who looked just like her Mom.

“Mother?” Maryann scoffed. “I don’t recall giving you that name,” she said and I smiled.

“It wasn’t for your benefit,” I said looking at Dad. “I won’t disrespect Dad.”

“He is dying,” Maryann brushed past me, hitting the bed rail with her hip, but she didn't flinch. "He's been holding on for you, Sylvie. Refusing treatment, insisting that he had to see you one last time."

I felt a pang of guilt and regret, wondering if I had made a mistake by staying away for so long. But Maryann's next words cut through my emotions like a knife.

"You're just in time to say goodbye," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "But don't think for a second that you can just waltz back in here and take over. This is my family now, and you're just a reflection of the past."

I stood tall, refusing to let Maryann's words get to me. Resenting me has always been her core value, and I know she has felt threatened by my presence in my father's life. But I wasn't here to fight with her. I was here to save my father. 

“I;m not here to cause trouble Maryann,” I said with my voice calm and settled. “I came only to save Dad…..”

“Save Dad,” Emily chuckled, mocking me. “Does he look like he needs saving? He is at peace.”

“Enough,” Maryann cut me off before I could speak. “Your father has been dead for a long time, Sylvie. I know you felt his hands cold,” my hands trembled and my Father's hands left mine.

My eyes drifted to the beeping monitor, “His pacemaker, we left it in,” Emily said.

“How could you be so cruel?” I asked, disgusted. “He is dead. He should be buried!” my voice filled the room.

“It was the only way we could get you here,” Maryann said and I scoffed. “We need you to sign this,” she handed a document. After a look at her, I read through it.

“What is this?” I asked, looking at the document in disbelief. 

“Those are Richard's shares of the hospital. There are yours now,” Maryann said and my eyes widened. 

“Mine,” I whispered and noticed her in front of me. 

“Yes and I need you to sign all over to me,” she said and my eyes snapped in front of her. “You are after all a reflection of this family’s past.”

I closed the document and stood in front of her, we were inches apart. “Well, I’m about to be in your face, Maryann,” I said to her, directly at her face, and walked out of the room.

How dare she? I’m in the process of mourning my already dead father and all she is after is his money.

“Come on!” I pressed the button of the elevator, grumbling. I need to get out of this place. I need to get out now. 

The elevator’s door opened and my head hit what felt like a rock. I looked up to see him directly in my face. 

“Hi Sylvie,” his voice brought chills to my body like I never left.