I Asked For Divorce... Not His Life

SELENE 

 I sat in the cold surgical waiting room, my hands clenched tightly in my lap, staring at the sterile walls. Time felt cruel and slow, stretching endlessly. The sharp scent of disinfectant burned my nose, pressed down on my chest like a weight I couldn't lift.

  I had never been this scared in my entire life.

  My mind wouldn't stop replaying everything I had said to him, the anger, the hurt, the words I threw at him over the phone. I had lashed out when he couldn't even defend himself.

   Little did I know... he had been fighting for his life.

  My gaze dropped to my trembling hands, and a single tear slipped free, landing on my knuckles. I had told him I hated him. I had said I wanted him out of my life.

   But I never meant this.

  I never wanted to lose him like this.

   Please, God... don't take him away from me.

  As I sat there praying, lost in my thoughts, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. Voices followed, urgent and anxious. I lifted my head and turned to see Sebastian's family rushing toward me.

  I quickly stood as my mother-in-law approached, her face pale with fear.

   "Where is he?" She asked, her eyes scanning my face desperately.

  "He's still in the operating theatre." I replied softly.

  Nora, Sebastian's sister, let out a sharp breath. "How could this even happen?" She cried, then her gaze snapped to me. "My brother is fighting for his life and you're dressed like you're going to a party."

   Her words cut deep.

  I hadn't even thought about my clothes. I had rushed out of the house the moment I got the call, still wearing the dress I had chosen for this day. I glanced down at the red lace fabric, suddenly feeling ashamed, but I said nothing.

  "Do you even care about him?" She snapped again.

  Before I could answer, Mr. Kingsley's firm voice cut through the tension. "That's enough, Nora." 

  He turned to me, gentler now. "How long has he been in there?"

  "About an hour now." I answered. He sighed heavily and fell silent.

  They took seats on the cold chairs while I remained standing beside Julian, Sebastian's stepbrother.

  "Are you okay?" He whispered, concern etched on his face.

   I nodded slowly. He and Mr. Kingsley were the only ones in this family I felt safe talking to.

  Just then, the operating theatre doors swung open.

  Sebastian was wheeled out by nurses.

  We all rushed forward, but Nora shoved me aside, pushing me back.

  "My son... Sebastian." Mrs. Kingsley cried. "How is he? Is he going to be alright?"

  "Please step aside." One of the nurses said calmly as they pushed the stretcher forward, heading toward the ward.

  I watched helplessly as he was taken away from us.

  The doors to the operating theatre opened again, and the main doctor stepped out. Instantly, all eyes turned toward him. He approached my father-in-law and greeted him politely.

  "How did the surgery go?" Mr. Kingsley asked, worried.

  "The surgery went well." The doctor said calmly. "He had internal bleeding, but we were able to stop it in time. Right now, he's stable."

  A collective breath left us all at once. Relief washed through the hallway like a wave.

  But the doctor wasn't finished.

  "However," he continued, "he lost a lot of blood and his body is still weak. We'll be monitoring him closely for the next twenty-four hours. This period is very important."

  "When will he wake up?" Mrs. Kingsley asked, clasping her hands together.

  "That depends on how his body responds." The doctor replied gently. "It could be a few hours, or it might take longer. For now, he needs complete rest."

  His gaze shifted then, settling on me.

   "You're his wife, right?"

  My breath caught in my throat. "Ah... yes." I murmured, barely audible as everyone turned to look at me.

  "You can see him briefly once he's settled." The doctor said. "Try to stay calm when you do. Patients heal better when surrounded by peace."

      Peace.

  The word echoed in my mind.

   I wasn't his peace though.

  "Excuse me." The doctor said, bowing slightly to my father-in-law before walking away.

  I stood frozen, wondering how I could give him peace when I had never been anything but a burden in his life.

***

Hours passed. Finally, we were allowed into his ward. But I couldn't go anywhere near him. His mother and sister crowded around his bed, their hands holding his, their voices whispering prayers. My legs ached as I sank onto a nearby couch, watching.

  Sebastian's chest rose and fell slowly. He was still unconscious. The doctor had assured us he would wake up soon, but the fear refused to leave my heart.

  Morning crept in quietly. I shifted on the couch, my neck stiff and aching from the awkward position I'd slept in. I was about to stretch when I heard Mrs. Kingsley's trembling voice.

    "Sebastian."

  She called his name again, louder this time.

  Everyone rushed closer to his bed. My heart pounded as I stood and moved forward too. His eyelids fluttered... then slowly opened.

  Relief crashed into me as I pressed a hand to my chest, breathing out shakily.

  "You're finally awake." His mother cried, pulling him into a careful embrace.

      He didn't respond.

  "Call the doctor." Mr. Kingsley said quickly.

  Julian rushed out of the room.

  Mrs. Kingsley pulled back, her hands trembling as she cupped his face. "Thank you for coming back to me, my boy."

   Sebastian's lips moved.

   But no sound came out.

   We all leaned in closer.

  "What did you say?" His mother asked softly.

  His voice finally came, low and confused.

     "Who... are you?"

  The smile on Mrs. Kingsley's face shattered instantly.

  The door to the ward opened and the doctor walked in, Julian right behind him.

   "Doctor..." Mrs. Kingsley rushed forward, her voice shaking. "He just asked who I am." Tears welled up in her eyes. "He doesn't recognize me. I'm his mother!"

   The doctor lifted his hands gently, trying to calm her. "Please, don't panic." He said in a steady voice. "This can happen after a major surgery or head trauma. Sometimes patients wake up confused. It's not uncommon."

   He turned his attention to Sebastian then, studying him carefully.

   "Mr. Kingsley," the doctor called softly, "can you hear me?"

  The room fell silent as everyone waited for his response.

   "Yes." Sebastian answered.

  The doctor nodded. "Good. Do you know where you are right now?"

  Sebastian paused, his brows knitting together as if searching through a fog. After a moment, he spoke uncertainly. "A... hospital?"

   "That's right." The doctor said encouragingly. Then he continued. "Do you recognize anyone in this room? Do any of these faces look familiar to you?"

  My heart clenched. I instinctively took a step back, suddenly afraid of what he might say... or what he might not remember.

  Sebastian's gaze slowly traveled around the room. First to his parents. Then to his sister. Then to Julian.

  Finally, his eyes stopped on me.

   They lingered.

   Longer than I expected.

   "My wife." He said quietly.

  My breath hitched. That can't be...

  "That's my wife." He repeated, his voice steadier now. "Selene."

  The room went deathly silent.

  And for the first time in three years...

  Sebastian Kingsley looked at me like I mattered.