Christopher and I were standing outside her ward. Julia’s sob echoed across the room. She really doted on Monica. To be honest, I was so envious of how she was getting love from an elder. It seemed that I didn’t have that kind of luck. Most elders never really liked me.
After a while, Julia pushed the door open and walked out of the ward. Then, she said to Christopher, “Chris, Monica wants to see you. Go in and talk to her.”
Christopher glanced at me. I nodded at him. “Just go. She isn’t emotionally stable now. Only you could calm her down.”
Christopher held my hand. He wanted me to go to the ward with him but I quickly stopped him. This was the worst time for me to go in. I was the last person Monica wanted to see.
“Go ahead. I’ll wait for you outside. Let’s go home together after this. Okay?” I smiled and gave him an encouraging look.
Christopher let out a sigh and patted my head gently. Then, he turned around and walked into the ward. A heavy silence fell over the corridor.
Suddenly, Julia started the conversation, “I’ve been treating Monica like my own daughter. Therefore, I don’t want anything bad to happen to her. Do you understand?”
“I know!” I nodded.
“No, you don’t! You won’t understand. If Monica is obsessed with someone or something, she could be extremely stubborn and insane.” Julia took a deep breath and wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief. “I hope you can stop meeting Chris for these two days. Think of it as a plea to you from a mother. Ms. Tanner, can you promise me?”
At that moment, I really should have said yes. But Christopher was in the ward. We were only separated by a door. He could see us clearly through that door. I didn’t want to let him down. I would never ever disappoint him for the rest of my life. Therefore, I shook my head and answered, “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I have to let you down.”
“Do you really have to drive Monica to death?” Seeing the determined look on my face, Julia’s expression turned grim. “I’ve always thought that you’re someone who is understanding. But I’m so disappointed with your behavior today. Ms. Tanner, even if you have Chris’ protection, do you think you could be part of the Lane family if I don’t agree?”
I gave her a helpless and wry smile as I pointed at Christopher. “Mrs. Lane, the man in the ward is my husband. You want me to give up on him and push him to another woman with my own hand. Do you know how cruel it is to him?”
“I‘ve made it clear that I won’t approve this marriage!” Julia paused for a few seconds. After that, she berated, “Yvonne, I won’t let you hurt Monica again.”
“Mrs. Lane, I respect you because you’re Christopher’s mother. However, I won’t admit to what I have not done.” I stared right into Julia’s cold eyes and enunciated each word slowly. “Life is so precious to me. I’ve struggled on the edge of death again and again. I’m grateful for being alive today. I’m so thankful to God for giving me an opportunity to be with Christopher.”
I took a glance at Sabrina and smiled. “When I came back from the deserted island, I was so afraid to face you. I once tried to back away from you. Then, my friend told me that nothing scares me if I have nothing to fear—not even death. What is there to be afraid of? It’s just that simple. I’m willing to die for Christopher. Hence, why should I back down?”
“Are you threatening me? Who do you think you are? You’re not Monica. It won’t bother me at all if you’re dead.” Julia scoffed and looked at me with disdain.
“Mrs. Lane, please don’t get me wrong. I’m aware of how precious life is. I would never act foolishly and take my own life. It just breaks my heart to see Christopher like that. Since you’re his mother, can you please put yourself in his shoes and be a little more considerate? His wish means a lot to me,” I said as I placed my hands on my chest, with a sincere look that no one had ever seen before.
“After all, you just want me to fulfill your wishes. Shut up!” Julia shouted.
“No. I will support Chris’ choice unconditionally. I will definitely not give up if he holds onto our love. Mrs. Lane, I believe you can understand how I feel especially when you were going against all odds to be with Mr. Lane back then.”
