Chapter 4 — The Choice to Walk Away

Aina was asleep when I opened the door. Her small body lay still on the hospital bed, surrounded by the quiet rhythm of the monitors. Her gentle breaths were steady, her peaceful face unaware of how much had changed.

I eased the door shut behind me and walked to her bedside. My throat constricted as I pulled a chair closer and sat down, hanging my purse over the backrest before resting my folded arms beside her.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. All I could think about was what would happen after Aina was discharged. What would I tell her when she asked where her father was? Why didn't he live with us anymore? How was I supposed to explain that our family would never be the same?

I didn't realize when a tear slipped down my cheek as I gently brushed my hand across her forehead. I quickly wiped it away before rising to my feet. Leaning down, I placed a soft kiss on her forehead, careful not to wake her, and slipped out of the room.

The moment I stepped into the corridor, my thoughts returned to Aina's treatment. It had only just begun. Even if Adrian had already paid for it, she would still need medicines, follow-up appointments, and regular hospital visits. I had no idea how much he had given me or how long it would last.

My hand instinctively moved to my purse.

In everything that had happened, I hadn't even looked inside the envelope. I had simply tucked it into my purse in my haste.

I pulled it out and carefully opened it, expecting to find the hospital payment receipt along with some cash.

Instead, my eyes fell on a neatly arranged set of documents. A slight frown crossed my face as I picked up the first page.

At first, I didn't understand what I was looking at. Then my eyes moved lower, and my breath caught.

The papers trembled in my hands as the words slowly sank in. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I instinctively pressed a hand against my forehead to steady myself.

The first document stated that Adrian had accepted full financial responsibility for Aina's medical treatment. It included her hospitalization, medications, follow-up care, and every future expense related to her recovery.

My breathing gradually became uneven as I turned to the next page, then the next. Each document carried Adrian's signature, confirming that the hospital had been instructed to bill him directly for every expense related to Aina's treatment.

I slowly lowered the papers, my heart hammering against my ribs. Adrian hadn't simply paid today's hospital bill. He had arranged for Aina to continue receiving every treatment she needed without worrying about the cost.

"No..." I whispered. "That can't be real."

My fingers clutched the documents as I stared at his signature again, reading the same lines over and over as if they would somehow change.

"Then why are you doing this, Adrian...?"

My voice was barely audible, but the question echoed through my mind as I stood frozen in the middle of the corridor, unable to tear my eyes away from the documents.

I carefully returned the documents to the envelope and put it back in my purse.

Before Aina was discharged, I needed somewhere to take her.

I unlocked my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found Mia's number. We had worked together before I resigned, and she was one of the few people I still kept in touch with.

She answered after the second ring.

"Bella? Is everything okay?"

I closed my eyes for a moment before speaking.

"I need a favor."

Her voice immediately became serious.

"What happened?"

"I need to find a small apartment as soon as possible," I said in a low voice. "Something affordable. Do you know anyone who might be renting one?"

A brief pause followed on the other end of the line.

"I'll ask around," Mia said. "But, Bella... did something happen?"

I glanced down the empty corridor before answering.

"I'll explain everything later."

"All right," she said gently. "Give me a little time. I'll call you as soon as I hear anything."

"Thank you."

I put my phone away and remained where I was for another moment.

The corridor remained busy around me. Nurses moved from one patient room to another while anxious families waited outside, hoping for good news.

For the first time since signing the divorce papers, the reality finally settled over me.

I wasn't just losing my marriage. I was about to lose the only home Aina had ever known.

Taking a slow breath, I forced myself to focus on what came next.

I had to start preparing for the life waiting for me when I finally left Adrian's house.

I stayed there until visiting hours ended. The following day passed in much the same way.

I spent as much time as I could beside Aina, leaving only when necessary. Most of the time, she slept under the effects of her medication, waking briefly before drifting back to sleep again.

Whenever she opened her eyes, I stayed beside her until she fell asleep once more.

By evening, I stepped out of the hospital, and my phone began to ring.

Mia's name appeared on the screen.

I answered immediately.

"Bella, I found something."

Her voice sounded more excited than it had in days.

"What did you find?"

"An apartment. A really good one."

I frowned slightly.

"Good how?"

"It's clean, spacious, and in a decent area. The rent is much lower than places like this usually are."

I looked around at the busy street outside the hospital.

"That sounds too good to be true."

"I thought the same thing," Mia admitted. "But I went to see it myself. The owner is currently out of the country, and he has a property dealer handling everything for him. He is just looking for someone reliable, which is why the price is reasonable."

I remained quiet, listening.

"There is only one problem," she continued. "The dealer already has several people interested. He wants to finalize it quickly."

I gripped my phone tighter.

"Mia, I don't have much time right now. I need to handle something important here."

She went quiet for a second.

"Bella, are you sure? You haven't even seen it yourself."

"I trust your judgment," I said quietly. "If you think it's a good place, then please help me finalize it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Send me the dealer's details and the payment information. I'll transfer the money. I'll come later to sign the agreement and complete the paperwork."

Mia hesitated for a moment before replying.

"All right. I'll take care of it."

The call ended, but the weight of everything waiting for me remained.

Before I could begin a new life, there was one place I had to return to.

The place I had called home for the last five years.