Chapter 1

                        ☆Samira☆

As I slowly tried to open my heavy eyes, loud noises from outside hit my ears, forcing me to flinch.

It was already morning.

A relentless ringing in my head forced me to slide deeper beneath my sheets. 

I was supposed to be getting ready for my husband’s return, but my throbbing headache had other ideas. 

Of all the days, it had to be today. 

I shielded my head, desperate for a few more moments of sleep, but the phone shattered the silence.

I wanted to ignore the call but I realised it was likely Daniel, my husband, calling.

Still in my sheets, I fumbled around for my phone, knowing it was somewhere on the table, but instead, my hands sent it tumbling to the floor. 

“Damn it!” I muttered under my breath. 

Luckily, it continued to ring. 

With a groan, I pushed myself up and picked up the phone, squinting at the unfamiliar number flashing on the screen. 

I answered the call.

“Good morning, Ma’am. Is this Mrs. Samira Norwood?” a male voice asked from the other end. 

“Yes, this is Samira Norwood. Who am I speaking with?” I asked.

His tone was a little off.

“This is Officer Ken Miller with the Cleveland Port District Police,” he said, sending a cold wave down my stomach. 

The fog in my mind began to lift, replaced by a chilling clarity. 

His tone was heavy with the weight of bad news. 

“I’m calling to inform you that there was an incident near the coastline. Your husband’s ship sank in a storm that struck the coast last night,” he continued, his words draining the color from my world. 

Everything around me dulled, and his next sentences faded into a haunting echo. 

My hands went numb, struggling to keep the phone steady. 

“Mrs. Norwood, are you still there?” His voice pulled me back from the brink. 

I tightened my grip on the phone. 

“Yes?” I whispered, shock rendering my voice fragile, “What do you mean… the boat… sank?” 

“There was a storm. Most of the crew made it to the rafts. Your husband was rescued from the waters…” He hesitated, the gravity of his words hanging heavily in the air. 

“You should come to the hospital immediately.” 

I had no idea how I managed to grab my car keys and find myself in the car, but the engine roared, and just as I was about to pull out of the driveway, a thought struck me. 

I forgot to ask the name of the hospital.

But instinct took over, Cleveland Main Hospital was the closest to the coast. 

They must have taken him there. 

I slammed my foot on the accelerator, narrowly avoiding a collision with the neighbor’s trash bins as I drove away. 

Tears streamed down my face as I drove as fast as I could, my knuckles turning white around the steering wheel. 

Every car in front of me felt like a barrier, deliberately obstructing me.

I found myself honking the horn a few times, even though I was the one in the wrong. 

The voices in my head urged me to stay calm, but they were drowned out by the storm of my racing thoughts.

 Sure, there was really no reason for him to be out there checking on his crew in the middle of the sea. 

He usually waited for them to dock, but Daniel was as stubborn as they came.

He just had to go. 

Now, I was left with uncertainty, not even sure if he was conscious. 

I completely forgot to ask that crucial question. Why didn’t I think to ask the officer? 

What was wrong with me? 

In my frantic rush, I was grateful that the hospital was close to home.

 Within minutes, I pulled into the parking lot, nearly colliding with other vehicles. 

I didn’t have time to park properly, so I stopped the car and ran to the nurse’s station. 

“Samira Norwood, my husband is here, right? Boat accident,” I panted, breathless. “My husband… Daniel Norwood. He was brought in from the harbor.” 

The nurse nodded, her fingers dancing over the keyboard. “Yes, he’s here. He’s stable, but…” 

My heart sank once more. “But?” 

“The doctor will explain,” she replied. 

“Which room is he in?” I pressed, urgency lacing my voice. 

“Room 202, just down the corridor on the tenth floor,” she answered. 

I had no time to express my gratitude.

 I raced to the elevator, my heart pounding in my chest. 

The elevator felt like it was taking forever, as if it were mocking my desperation, or maybe I was just too impatient. 

At last, it stopped and I ran out, my slippers squeaking against the tiled floor.

 My lungs felt both full and empty, a bizarre contradiction.

 Just as I rounded a corner, I spotted my mother in law talking to some police officers.

She was thanking them as they walked away.

Linda Norwood, short, petite with dark curly hair.

Always in suits and had that uptight military appearance.

The woman hated me.

Naturally hated me.

How was she here?

I thought she was out of the country. 

Her icy gaze locked onto me as she walked towards me. 

“Where have you been! Why haven’t you been answering your phone? You were sleeping while my son was dying!” she stormed towards me, her voice yelling. “Or were you warming another man's bed?”

She didn’t even give me a chance to explain. 

“Answer me! Where were you last night?” 

“I was…” I stammered, but before I could finish, a sharp slap landed on my cheek. 

“I always said you weren’t fit to be Daniel’s wife!” 

I closed my eyes, absorbing the sting. 

“Mrs. Norwood,” a voice interrupted, pulling me from my shock. 

I opened my heavy eyelids, struggling to hold back the tears that were already spilling over. 

It was Kate, Daniels' secretary. 

Tall, blue eyes with long blonde hair.

She always had those fake eye glasses trying to seem decent or educated but her short skirts always said otherwise 

“The doctor is here,” she announced. 

Linda, my mother in law, smiled at her. 

“And here’s your coffee,” Kate added, handing her a cup. 

“Thank you so much, I don’t know what I would do without you,” she said, taking the coffee. “Where is the doctor?” 

“This way,” Kate gestured, her gaze lingering on me. “Where were you, Samira? I tried calling you all night!” she smiled.

“What... I…” I fumbled over my words, but the two women moved on without me. 

I quickly checked my call log, but there were no missed calls from Kate or mother inlaw.

Not even from yesterday or the week before.

"When did she call me?"

I trailed behind them from behind, but my mother in law turned around, raising a hand to stop me in my tracks.

“You clearly didn’t care to answer your phone, so keep away or I’ll call security!” she barked.

I blinked rapidly, tears streaming down my cheeks as she shoved me away and slammed the door shut.

This… She…

I was her son's wife.

Even if I had missed the calls, this wasn’t how she was supposed to treat me.

I darted my eyes around in confusion.

I was left alone, completely in the dark about my husband’s condition.

Minutes dragged on until the doctor emerged, his icy gaze locking onto me.

Dr. Idris Rells

He was Kate's brother.

Tall, handsome with dark hair and striking blue eyes but as icy and cold as his sister.

Those two were probably raised by the devil.

He was probably on their side…

The way he was looking at me.

I quickly looked away, unable to bear his glare as he walked past me.

I stared at door

Paralyzed, too afraid to knock.

But then the door swung open.

My mother in law walked out, busy giving instructions to Kate.

“Don’t forget to grab his pajamas and toothbrush and everything he’ll need,” she ordered.

She glanced up at me, “Did you leave the door open? Kate needs to fetch some of Daniel’s things,” she demanded.

I swallowed hard, words lost out of my mouth.

I was his wife… I was…

“Answer the damn question!” she yelled..

“The house is open… I left it unlocked!” I stammered.

She turned to Kate, urging her to hurry and collect my husband’s belongings while I stood there, a mere spectator.

“I’ll be right back, don’t worry, he’ll be fine,” Kate reassured her, wrapping her arms around her.

“I hope so. My Daniel has never been lucky ever since he married his useless wife,” Linda’s biting words sliced through the air.

Kate turned and smiled at me.

I never liked her.

She walked away, and I felt a surge of anger building inside of me.

“I should be the one getting my husband’s things!” my voice finally came out.

Linda paused but didn’t face me. “And who’s going to change his diapers?” she shot back.

I hesitated, trying to process her words.

“Follow me!” she commanded, striding back into the room.

I hurried after her.

Finally, I was allowed to see my Daniel.

As I stepped inside, my heart inexplicably slowed when I laid eyes on him.

My husband looked so pale

My handsome husband.

Curly black hair, brown eyes with his dashing thick eyebrows.

Always polished.

He did not look anything like my Daniel.

He had cuts and bruises all over him. 

He looked like he was sleeping, but he didn’t seem well.

Machines surrounded him, beeping rhythmically, pulling me closer.

I had no idea what the numbers flashing on the screen meant.

Was he doing well?

Was something wrong?

“Samira! Samira!” Linda’s voice jolted me from my thoughts.

“You’re here to change diapers and clean him up, not to stare!” she hissed.

I blinked, fighting back the tears.

“What did the doctor say? Is he… is he going to be okay?” I stuttered.

Without warning, she tossed a diaper at my face.

“You have always been useless, of all women Daniel had to choose you!” She yelled. “If I come back and find you haven’t changed his diaper, you won’t see him again!” she warned as she stormed out of the room…