: I Can't Find My Way Home

3

The Attending Physician said I might also have a heart condition, so they did a cardiac catheterization.

The blockage in my arteries was severe. I needed a stent.

But my stomach also needed to be checked, so they did an endoscopy, which nearly killed me.

'This kidney failure is so annoying.'

"Ms. Shaw, it looks like your balance isn't enough to cover the upcoming expenses," a young nurse informed me in a low voice.

I lay on the hospital bed, feeling the chill of the room and smelling the antiseptic in the air.

"Just use whatever money is left as you see fit. That's all I have."

I didn't want to call Cole Alastair again, even though in his eyes, I only married him for his money.

'How did we end up like this?'

I remember it wasn't always like this.

Back then, he was just a Z-list actor, lucky to land a few roles as an extra in a month.

But I had a steady job as an office clerk back then, making about $500 a month.

I confidently puffed out my chest and told him I'd support him.

And I really did spend my entire $500 monthly salary on our expenses.

But my meager salary couldn't handle any unexpected changes in our lives.

I remember one autumn, I got sick for a few days, which made us fall behind on rent. The landlord kicked us out.

In Riverfall, it always drizzles in the autumn, and of course, it was drizzling nonstop that day.

We huddled together under an umbrella in the autumn rain. It shielded our upper bodies, but the water dripping and splashing around our feet soaked the cuffs of our pants.

It didn't feel dramatic back then, nor did it feel humiliatingly destitute. All I felt was hope for the future.

'Come on! My husband is going to be a superstar!'

I told him I had a friend I could borrow money from, someone who would definitely lend it to me. I asked him to wait for me at an internet cafe.

'What friends did I have back then?'

I went to sell my blood.

Soon after, I came back to him with $100, my face pale. I forced a wide grin.

"Cole, we have money now!"

We found a shabby room in a shared apartment for $75 a month. The landlord must have seen how pathetic we looked, because he didn't ask for a security deposit.

The paint on the walls was peeling, and it was covered in random stickers. The autumn wind blowing in felt bitingly cold.

But back then, our love was stronger than gold. Sleeping in each other's arms on a full-sized bed felt like it was all worth it.

Later on, we moved into a huge villa.

A single bedroom was bigger than that entire shared apartment.

The house was always the perfect temperature and lavishly decorated, but I always felt cold.

Colder even than this hospital room.

Memories flashed through my mind one after another.

My phone started ringing.

I didn't want to look at it, and I didn't want to answer.

"Your phone is ringing." The Attending Physician, who hadn't left yet, held the phone out to me.

I felt a little helpless.

I had no choice but to take it.

The caller ID showed an 11-digit number.

It was Cole Alastair's number. I had deleted him from my contacts a long time ago.

But I still had the number memorized.

I didn't want to answer, so I hung up.

He called back immediately.

Exasperated, I lightly swiped the screen and answered the call.

As soon as the call connected, his voice, thick with grievance, came through.

"Soph, I think I'm lost... I can't find my way home. Can you come get me, please?"

His hoarse voice held a sob, like a lost and helpless child.