Chapter 7 Dead Marriage

• Laura's POV.
• I was standing by the window, watching as the sun moved lazily over the sky. Its possessive nature brought a smile to my face. It was strange, yet beautiful.
• The colours that filled the clouds helped to numb the pain that went through my heart and body.
• Another day passed, and I was still recuperating in the hospital. My body felt better, but I knew something was terribly wrong with my sides.
• But that didn't matter.
• My mind was still focused on the movements of the sun when I heard the door open and I turned slightly to find a male doctor walking in.
• My brows furrowed as I recognized his familiar dark eyes. He was the one that had treated me, at the abandoned pack house!
• I folded my arms and even offered him a small smile. "You also work here?"
• He smiled back with a small nod. "Yes, Luna Laura, I do. But let's talk about you, how are you feeling today?"
• He moved to the table at the far end of my bed and picked the blue file that contained my report.
• "I feel much better, thank you." I lied.
• My sides were still hurting now and then; it was faint, but I couldn't ignore it. It was there and it was nowhere near fine.
• His dark eyes dilated, almost like he could see through my lies.
• My cheeks burned with embarrassment but I maintained my smile, hoping that his change in expression was something else.
• "Okay, if you say so." He let out a sigh and began to scribble things in the file.
• My brows furrowed and I watched him cautiously. My heart picked a strange rhythm and I suddenly didn't feel comfortable around him.
• Almost like he was going to scold me.
• "I heard your conversation with your friend yesterday. I was supposed to do my rounds but— I didn't want to interrupt your reunion—"
• He stopped and looked me in the eyes.
• "Why didn't you tell her about your sickness?" He asked.
• The smile I had morphed up slowly dropped. Panic clutched my heart and I stared back at him with wide eyes.
• "Please, don't tell anyone about it. I'm begging you." I lowered my tone. "I don't want to bother anyone. If they knew I was dying, they would worry too much."
• His eyes softened and he shook his head. "Don't you think they need to know?"
• "I think it would be better this way. Let me just enjoy my last days in peace." I whispered, my knees already trembling.
• He sighed deeply and scribbled on the file once more.
• "You are a very strong woman, Luna Laura. I don't know a lot of young women your age who can take this and not break down. I've seen grown men cry when I break news like this to them but you are different."
• I offered him a tight lipped smile, my heart drowning in self pity, triggered by his words.
• If he knew what I had been through, he would know why I didn't even care anymore. Death was supposed to be a luxury for me...
• "If you need any help with anything, feel free to tell me. I will help you," he told me as he finally closed the file.
• But the determination in his eyes, caused a stir deep down my heart.
• Why was he helping a stranger like me?
• "I can't accept it. I—it is too much for you—"
• He waved his hand, cutting off my statement with a warm smile.
• "It's more than being a doctor. I will help you because you are also family; even when you divorce my cousin, I will help you."
• "Family? Wh—what do you mean?" I questioned. I failed to notice the word "cousin" uttered in his sentences.
• "I'm Blade, Julian's distant cousin," he introduced himself and my mouth dropped.
• "How? How come no one ever told me about you? Where have you been?" I was unable to stop myself from spilling the questions in my head.
• Blade shrugged his shoulder. "I prefer to stay in the shadows. It's easier this way. Besides, I'm a distant relative, not his brother."
• Now that I looked at him, he had some of Julian's fixtures even if it were little. Fine hair, tall and big. It was there.
• I blinked several times and smiled— this time it was real.
• "Thanks, Blade. I appreciate what you have done for me."
• Blade nodded. "I am done with my report. I will see you later." With that he left the room.
• I stood there watching the door and trying to understand why he was in the shadows when his family practically had everything.
• My thoughts were soon interrupted once again as my mother walked into the hospital room. As her worried eyes met mine, she rushed towards me and wrapped me in a tight hug.
• "Oh, Laura! How are you? I came here as soon as I could."
• I freed myself out of her hold and forced a small smile.
• "I am fine."
• She rubbed her hands, her eyes moving everywhere but on me.
• "Laura, I'm very sorry. I apologise for everything. I didn't know that Sarah was the one causing problems for your marriage—"
• Her hands held mine and I felt the surge of emotions as they coursed through her.
• "Listen, I will talk to her so that she won't interfere with your marriage again. I will try to convince her to stop."
• Her intentions were kind but it was too late now.
• "It doesn't matter. I don't need you to talk to her," I whispered, "they already have a child and Julian loves her. It's best that I leave."
• A gasp escaped her lips and I saw the tears, but she was quick to wipe them before they dropped.
• But before she could speak, I moved away from her. I walked to the table and poured myself a glass of water.
• I wasn't sure I needed her pity, I've been without her for so long that I might have forgotten what a mother's love was— maybe I didn't even need it.
• "Laura, please, I understand how you feel. Let me help you."
• My heart tightened as her words hit me like a slap. Briskly I turned to her and flashed her a bitter smile.
• "My marriage has been dead for a long time. Sarah was his first love. She has always been." My hands tightened around the cup and I nodded at it, as if it spoke to me.
• "Besides, Julian and I have agreed to a divorce. I just have to wait till the Goddess Festival so we can have a proper rejection ceremony, and I will be gone."
• Despite the pain in my heart, I flashed her a bright smile and nodded again.
• She was more horrified by my face, than what I said as she watched me with wide eyes.
• It took a long time but in the end, she blinked and I saw the resignation in them before she spoke again.
• "Laura, how about you stay at my place? You can't stay in Julian's house again," she said, shaking her head.
• I raised my brows, a part of my heart wishing she had shown this much love a long time ago.
• "I have already decided to stay at Mack's place."
• Her perfectly carved brows furrowed and she took the cup from me in "Who's Mack?" She asked. "Is Mack a boy?"
• "No, Mack is a female friend. You would know if you actually stayed with me longer," I retorted.
• She looked away instantly. But I saw it. She was hurt by my words. I felt terrible afterward; it was funny I still cared about her feelings after everything.
• "What about your father?" She suddenly asked. "How is the treatment going? And you never told me how much we would be needing."
• "It's already settled," I said. "You don't have to worry anymore."
• "That too?" She raised her brows so high that I thought it would meet with her hairline. "Laura, I'm trying to really help. I mean it."
• "I already settled it with Julian. It's part of our divorce agreement. I got him to agree to treat father," I said.
• She looked at me, feeling dejected that I had refused any help from her.
• I sighed. "Don't worry. I have everything under control. I will surely tell you if I need anything." I assured her.
• Her face brightened up. She went to her bag and brought out a card and a bag of fruits, which she placed on the table beside me. She happily handed me the card.
• "That's my contact, you can reach me there, any time" she said.
• I smiled at her and hugged her. The smell of perfumed hair oil filled my nostrils, and I inhaled deeply. Her warmth felt reassuring.
• "Alright dear, I will be going now. I have something to pick up in the market. Don't forget to call me, and the fruit is for you. You must be lacking some natural sugar because you are pale. Bye, love!" She waved at me as she walked out of the room.
• "Bye." I waved back.
• I stared at the bag of fruits and it stared back at me. I barely had the appetite to eat anything. I would just keep it for later.
• I was discharged from the hospital that afternoon. Mack waited for me in the parking lot and honked her horn when she saw me.
• I smiled and quickly walked to the car and she helped me settle.
• "You will fucking love the human world! It's so peaceful. Humans are wonderful creatures. You will forget about Julian in no time, he has no power there." Mack rambled with enthusiasm as she started the car.
• I smiled at her comments but my mind was in a different place. I kept thinking about my dad.
• —I thought of the Ways I could prove his innocence in the little time I had.
• Mack continues. "So there's this human boy, and I was thinking of seeing him tomorrow—"
• "Mackenzie?" I suddenly interrupted as the perfect idea came to my mind.
• She stopped talking and raised her brows. "Yeah?"
• "Let's go to our old pack," I told her.
• Blood physically left Mack’s face. "What?”