005

 DOMINIC

I always wondered what Sophie Laurent’s first words to me would be when she finally spoke to me personally after seven years.

But contrary to what I imagined, they weren’t recognition.

They were—

“I can’t breathe.”

A harsh cough tore through the speaker just as I pushed open the doors to Hayes’ estate.

“Sophie.” My voice came out low and sharp as I glanced around. “Where are you?”

“The…the stairs…” Another cough. Weak. Broken. “Blood…”

My eyes snapped upward immediately and there she was, curled on the floor just beside the raikings like she no longer had the strength to move.

From here, I could see the trails of blood as it seemed she had been struggling to go up.

Before letting myself think, my feet ascended the stairs, barely hearing the sound of my own footsteps over the pounding in my head.

By the time I reached her, blood had already smeared across her trembling fingers and the front of her clothes.

Her face was pale, almost white like she had been drained of blood.

“Sophie, look at me.” I whispered, for some reason, keeping my voice unreasonably low as I scooped her up into my arms.

Out of instinct, while I hurried to my car, my hands found her wrist as I checked for her pulse.

Weak. Almost nonexistent.

Like poison.

Who would dare poison her in her own house?

And where the fuck is Hayes? ‘Her husband?’

 Settling her into the back seat, I raced to the wheels and drove to the hospital immediately.

“Dominic…I…didn't mean…” She was trying to say something but her words were slurring.

“Stay calm. We'll be at the hospital soon." I shut her down immediately, stepping on the accelerator.

 Can this car move any faster?

" Please…please try- try to call my husband.” My fingers tightened on the wheels and I stared at my phone on the head board.

I had called that fool exactly 23 times from my second device immediately I spoke with Sophie and all of them went to voicemail.

" No need. I'm here.”

“I…I can't…i—”

“For now, focus on breathing really slowly, Sophie. The poison is spreading really fast.” I swerved suddenly, driving past a car I might have rammed into if I didn't keep my eyes on the road.

“You young people! Can you drive any safer?” The driver of the other car yelled after me.

Pulling up at the hospital, I didn't bother to park properly and drove the car to a halt.

Gathering her in my arms, I rushed into the hospital while the nurses provided a stretcher as they rushed her towards the emergency ward and I ran along.

“She's coughing up a lot of blood.” One of the nurses yelled as a doctor raced into the ward.

“Sir, you can wait outside. We…” I glared at the nurse and she pursed her lips, turning to grab something.

“What’s her condition?” The doctor asked, rushing in.

“Intense coughing, chest tightening and bleeding. Mostly internal. Seems like she had been poisoned but the substance she took in is unidentified. She's barely conscious and her BP is dangerously low.” 

“Prep for IV fluids and transfusion immediately. Get two units of O-negative ready, stat. Keep monitoring her vitals.” 

My head was spinning, my phone trembled in my hands as she was wheeled into the emergency ward.

My palms were sweaty—my palms are almost never sweaty— and I could feel my heartbeat in my ears.

After 7 years, Sophie. You can't die on me.

“Heart rate is dropping, she's slipping into shock.” Another nurse yelled and I stumbled backwards.

“Prep for—you know what? I'm scrubbing in." 

“Dr Dominic, what's your relationship with the patient?" One of the attending a asked and I paused.

“My sister in law." 

The words ripped out of me.

No matter what you used to be, no matter how it killed me to say this, she was just my sister in law now.

Maybe not for long.

But now.

"Noted. Which means you also can't scrub in. You have a close relationship with the patient and you look tense. Emotions might cloud your judgement so all you have to do is sit tight and wait. We'll do our best.”

“I need suction ready, oxygen on and someone keep her calm.”

“Be careful what is administered on her. She has Aplastic Anemia and is currently on medications..” I yelled.

“Noted, Dr Dom. Please step back. We need room to work.” I took a few steps back, my vision blurring and dots appearing in my vision.

Sophie, please.

 I haven't even told you that I returned just for you. 

Please.

You don't even remember me, yet.

“Her heart rate is dropping. She's going into cardiac arrest.” One of the nurses yelled and the corner of my lips tilted up in a sardonic smile.

“BP is critically low doctor! We're losing her.” Another nurse yelled.

Sophie, I didn't wait seven years for this.

This isn't a really funny welcome gift.

“Start CPR! Get defibrillator ready.” The doctor yelled.

“Sophie! you…” I stuttered, taking hasty steps towards the bed when some of the nurses held me back.

“Sir please, step back. We need—”

“I don't care what you need. You better keep her alive.” I yelled, hot liquid running down my eyes.

Am I crying? Holy shit! I am crying.

Beep….beep…beep.

“What…what's going on? Why aren't you doing anything anymore? Why did you stop?” I asked slowly, raising a brow as my eyes snapped back and forth. 

Beep.

Beep.

Beeeeppp.

None of the nurses were moving.

I staggered back, my eyes landing on the ECG

monitor.

Flatline.

There was no heartbeat.

“Mrs Sophie Laurent, Time of death: 2:46pm.” The doctor announced, pulling off his face mask.