004

SOPHIE

There are some days your body warns you before your life falls apart.

Today was one of them.

The air felt too heavy. Too still. Like the house was holding its breath…waiting.

I sat in the living room, a glass of wine resting untouched in my hand, my thoughts drifting somewhere far from here. Somewhere quieter. Somewhere that didn’t hurt this much.

Hayes hadn’t returned since the mall and for the first time in a long while… I wished he wouldn’t.

It would have been better if I was able to cry but that felt like an impossible feat. The only thought that lingered was the fact that I was about to die. 

The doctor had told me earlier that I had 3 months. Just 3 months. And in these three months, I was already facing the worst of the worst scenarios?

I scoffed while taking another sip of the wine.

The sound of the door opening cut through the silence and I blinked.

I didn’t turn. I didn’t need to.

It was as though I already knew I wouldn’t like what walked in. And that was my husband.

“Sophie.” Hayes called out. Why wasn't I sharp enough to know that he had suddenly stopped calling me darling and was down to using my name. 

‘Sophie’ like I was a stranger he was trying to get familiar with.

I didn’t answer. I only turned when I heard another pair of heels step into the house.

“Hold on.. you're drinking?" He suddenly asked, his brows furrowing but my eyes were glued on the lady beside him, Olivia.

I bit down hard, my teeth gnawing at each other.

If I died, would he bring her back home to stay with them?

"Why? Is it a problem?” I asked, trying to remain as cool as I could. It's been literally years since I took this amount of wine, I was sure the aftermath would be deadly but I couldn't care less.

“Relax Sophie. Can you not start? Let's just talk first." I squinted my eyes softly as I stared at her.

Just the depiction of her face was scratching at my brain, it was like I had met her before. Somewhere.

Before the mall and before all of this.

“Mrs Hayes. I’m really sorry for showing up like this. I just… I didn’t want you getting the wrong idea. That’s why I wanted to come myself.” The corner of my lips contorted into a small smile. 

Classic!

“What you saw earlier… I understand why you’d think that, I really do. But it honestly wasn’t like that. I swear, it wasn’t what you think. I would never try to come between you and your husband.” Her voice was soft, innocent, like a simple breeze would throw her out the window and the thought of that almost made me chuckle.

"See? I told you Sophie, that you're overreacting. Can we just put all this behind us and—”

"How dare you?” I enunciated every word, cutting Hayes off.

"What..what—”

"You think I'm divorcing you because of the mall? What is it to me if you…” I trailed off when I heard little footsteps racing down the stairs.

"Aunt Olivia!!” Noah chirped, running into her arms like he had done it a million times, not even sparing a look at my direction.

My own son.

I took a deep breath in, setting down the glass of wine slowly. Staring at them from here, they looked like ‘the family’

A happy family of three while I was just the outsider that was restricting their joy.

"Noah…don't do that. Your mom won't be happy, go say hi to her." Olivia whispered, her high pitched tone getting increasingly annoying.

“I…" 

“No need. He likes you. He can play with you a bit more." I intercepted immediately and Hayes immediately picked Noah up, instructing him to return to his room.

“I've heard your apology," I said turning to Olivia as I stood to my feet, “I need to rest now." I said and was about to take a step when she suddenly rushed towards me.

“I need to be sure you've forgiven me, Mrs Hayes. I promise, it will never happen again." 

I was tongue tied for a bit as she poured some wine into the cup I was using previously and offered it to me, slightly bowing.

Anyone can spot a manipulative green tea at first glance but I just smiled and took it anyway. Downing the contents in one go as I began walking up to the stairs.

Because she wasn't the one I had a problem with.

It was Hayes.

I was almost at the top when I felt a wave of dizziness hit me. I immediately stood rooted to my feet, waiting for it to pass.

It didn't.

My body felt like it was being controlled, like there was a force pushing me. This wasn't how the symptoms of my illness acted up unless it had gotten significantly worse.

I groped for the railing, darkness clouding my vision. God, no. I can't fall from here. Falling from here meant death.

In a muffled voice, I called out;

“Hayes!" My voice was firm and pleading.

“Sophie, are you good?" I heard his voice, distant but at least he was here.

“Please…please, I feel..”

"Hayes…" Another feminine voice called out, Olivia, as I heard a thud hit the ground.

“Sophie, oh my goodness, are you okay?" There were some other inaudible words before I heard Hayes again.

" Sophie, I'd be back soon. I need to take Olivia to the hospital. She's…” The rest of the words filtered away as I heard the door shut.

For the second time, he had chosen her. 

My chest tightened, I couldn't get air into my lungs. God, I need help please.

Please, I know I'd die but a little more time? There were a lot of things I still wanted to experience.

I felt a lump in my throat and it felt extremely dry. I tried coughing as I crouched to the floor when I realized I was coughing up liquid.

My vision cleared a bit and I looked down at my hand. 

Blood. I was coughing up blood.

   

My hand trembled as I gripped the wall tighter, trying to steady myself.

The world around me tilted again.

No. 

I need someone. I fumbled for my phone in my pocket, fingers barely obeying me.

I needed help. I needed Cesca, Cesca would know what to do.

My vision blurred as I unlocked the screen, the light stabbing into my eyes.

I pressed the call icon without even thinking.

Ring. Once. Twice.

I sank down slightly against the wall, breathing uneven.

“Pick up… please…” The line connected and a wave of hope hit me.

“Ces, please. You…you—” 

“Hello?” A deeper masculine voice came into the phone.

Who was that? She didn't have a boyfriend or…..wait. I know that voice.

I swallowed hard, confusion cutting through the pain for half a second.

“I—” My voice cracked. “I think I dialed the wrong number…”

“…Sophie?” My entire body went still.

No.

No, no, no.

“Why do you have Cesca’s phone— who is this?” I stopped, coughing sharply, blood burning at the back of my throat.

The world tilted again.

“Where is Cesca?” I whispered, panic rising now.

“It's me, Dominic. Tell me where you are.” My knees weakened. I had dialed the wrong number for sure.

“I didn’t mean to call you…” I breathed out. “I… I can’t breathe—” The line went quiet for another second.

“Stay where you are. Try to keep breathing. Keep the call going, I’m coming.”