Chapter 9 Who Would Micah Choose?

• Fiona’s POV
• The world tumbles around me, my heart racing as I plummet towards what I believe would possibly be my final moments. Fear clenches my chest, and terror washes over me in waves. Despair grips my soul as I close my eyes, bracing for the inevitable.
• But then, something miraculous happens. Just as I tightly shut my eyes and surrender to the darkness, a pair of strong hands embrace me, breaking my fall. My eyes snap open, and to my astonishment, it is Micah.
• My cold, beautiful husband.
• He has chosen to save me. The shock of it all leaves me speechless for a moment.
• My heart races with a newfound intensity as I look up at him. His touch feels achingly familiar, and in that moment, I realize just how safe I feel in his arms. The chaos around us fades into insignificance as I focus on the contours of his jaw, the subtle quirk of his lips, and the depth of his eyes.
• Micah's usually icy gaze holds an undecipherable emotion. Am I crazy to imagine that he holds me with a touch of desperation? It is a contradiction to the man who has hurt me so much in the past few days- a contradiction that stirs a small hope within me.
• "Micah?" I whisper, my voice filled with uncertainty and uncontrollable longing.
• With tender care, he lowers me to the ground and fixes his eyes upon me, his fingers maintaining their firm grip, as though they are reluctant to let me go.
• "I've got you, Fiona. Hold on."
• I stare up at him, my heart pounding, and that glimmer of hope begins to blossom into something more. Maybe, just maybe, there is still a chance to salvage our crumbling marriage. Perhaps, deep down, Micah still harbors some love for me after the three wonderful years we have spent together.
• Before I can say anything more to him, a figure hurtles toward us. It is Rowena, and she is crying her eyes out. She practically throws herself into Micah's arms, pushing me away from him.
• "I knew you'd come to save me, Micah!" She declares in between dramatic sobs.
• Micah's response is a mixture of duty and something else, something I dare not name. "Of course, it's my responsibility, because…" His voice trails off, and my heart twists with anticipation.
• But I didn't wait to hear the second half of his sentence. I can't bear to witness the exchange of affection between Micah and Rowena. Instead, I turn my head away, my emotions too raw to endure their closeness.
• I berate myself silently for being so foolish, for clinging to the stupid notion that Micah might still love me. His presence here is for Rowena, not me. I’m merely a bystander, saved in the process of rescuing her.
• As I try to collect my thoughts, I notice that the bracelet I have worn for over two years, a cherished birthday gift from Micah’s brother's wife, lay broken on the ground. It has been thrown out during my fall, and the sight of it shatters my heart a little.
• Strangely enough, the area around the broken bracelet has taken on a deep black color. I move to study it closer but have to stop due to the sudden commotion behind me.
• “Sir, unfortunately, there are no kidnappers left alive for us to interrogate.” One of Micah’s soldiers tells him with a sheepish expression.
• Apparently, the kidnappers, in their desperate bid to escape, have met their end in a tragic accident while being chased. When I hear the news, I turn my gaze back to Rowena. She and Micah have already moved apart, and Micah is questioning her about the reason for her abduction. Rowena seems to be unaware, claiming ignorance, but I can't help but sense a hint of relief in her demeanor.
• Does she truly have no idea why she has been targeted?
• Before I can delve deeper into my suspicions, a soldier arrives, returning my cell phone that the kidnappers had taken earlier. To my astonishment, the screen lights up with several missed call notifications, all from my father's caregiver, indicating her persistent attempts to reach me.
• My heart races as I frantically dial her number, my mind overcome with worry for my father. The phone rings several times before she finally answers, her voice quivering with concern. "Fiona, is that you?"
• "Yes, it's me," I reply, my voice trembling. "What's happened? Why have you been calling so urgently?"
• There is a pause, and I can hear the caregiver take a deep breath before she speaks. "I'm sorry to alarm you, but your father has had some ... issues. It would be best if you could come as soon as possible.”
• She doesn’t say anything more and dread settles like a heavy stone in my chest. "I'm on my way," I say quickly, my voice laced with anxiety.
• I hang up the phone and turn to face Micah, my mind a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. "Micah, I need to go to the sanatorium. Something is wrong with my father."
• Micah's gaze softens, and for a moment, the tension between us seems to ease.
• "Of course, Fiona. I'll take you there."
• But before I can accept his offer, something inside me hardens. I can't allow myself to rely on Micah any longer, not after everything that has transpired between us.
• I shake my head and say firmly, "No need for that, you can stay with Rowena. Please ask one of your soldiers to take me."
• Micah's face closes off, and a shadow passes over his expression. He nods slowly, his eyes revealing a hint of disappointment as he gestures to one of the soldiers. Without a word, the soldier steps forward, ready to escort me to the sanatorium.
• ____________________
• I enter the sanatorium with my heart pounding, my footsteps echoing down the corridor as I rush towards my father's room. The urgency of the situation weighs heavily on me, and my anxiety grows with each passing second. The sterile, white-washed walls seem to close in around me, and I can't shake the fear that grips my soul.
• Finally, I reach the door to my father's room and push it open, my eyes scanning the room with trepidation. There, lying in the hospital bed, is my father, looking pale and frail.
• "Daddy?" I call out, my voice trembling as I approach his bedside. "It's me, Fiona. I'm here."
• My father's eyes flutter open, and he lets out a weak, pitiful moan. "Fiona, my dear... Is that you?"
• I can't help but gasp at the sight before me. My father is putting on a performance that can rival any Oscar-winning actor. He clutches his chest dramatically and lets out another exaggerated groan.
• "Oh, my poor, ailing heart," he declares, his voice filled with melodrama. "I fear it may give out at any moment."
• I stare at him, my initial panic giving way to confusion. My father’s gestures seem to be quite exaggerated. His caregiver, Miss Thompson, stands nearby, her expression carefully blank. It almost feels like something is amiss.
• "Daddy, what's going on? What’s happened to you?" I ask, my brow furrowing as I try to make sense of the bizarre scene before me.
• My father lets out another loud sigh and turns his attention to me. "Fiona, my sweet daughter, it's been far too long since I last saw Micah. When will he come to visit me with you?"
• The mention of Micah catches me off guard. It completely takes my mind off any questions I am about to ask.
• "Micah?" I stammer. "Daddy, I..."
• But before I can finish my sentence, my father lets out another dramatic groan, as if he is in great pain even though he looks fine from the outside.
• "Daddy, what is going on here?" I demand, worried.
• "Oh, dear Fiona," my father says in a voice that is almost theatrical, "I just miss Micah so much. It's been ages since he last visited."
• I can't help but feel torn. I know that my father is fond of Micah and I can't bring myself to tell him about my recent request for a divorce. The thought of breaking his heart in his current state is too much to bear.
• Considering my father's condition, I make a decision to keep the truth to myself, at least for now. My father's eager eyes lock onto mine, his expression hopeful.
• "Fiona, my dear, promise me you'll bring Micah with you next time you visit."
• I hesitate for a moment, torn between my father's wish and the complex reality of my relationship with Micah.
• Eventually, I can't resist my father's pleading gaze, and I nod.
• "I promise, Daddy. I'll bring Micah along to see you next time."
• Just as I say the words, I shoot a quick question to any higher power who is listening:
• How in the world will I convince Micah to pretend that we are still very much in love, and come with me to see my father?
• There are no answers.