Who brought you here?
“I know you were angry about last night. We’ll go out tonight, anywhere you want.”
Austin’s voice was soft, almost hopeful. Deep down, he still believed this was all just a cruel joke Dora was playing on him.
But her reply came sharp and cold. “Denial won’t take you anywhere.”
“You said you’d give me a chance,” Austin pleaded, his voice cracking under the weight of his guilt.
A small, bitter chuckle followed. “I never said I wouldn’t divorce you.”
Her words hit him like a slap. It was as if someone had pulled the ground from beneath his feet. He suddenly remembered the time he had said something similar to her, and the memory made his chest ache. He felt the pain she must’ve felt then, flowing through him like poison.
“Why…” he tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. His chest felt tight, as if someone had clutched it in a fist.
“Retribution, baby,” she said coldly. “What goes around comes around. You left me with unanswered questions. Now it’s your turn to feel the agony I went through.”
And then, silence. She had hung up.
Frantically, Austin called her back. He didn’t care about his pride anymore. He wanted to tell her everything, about his mother, about the truth. Maybe then she would understand. Maybe she’d forgive him.
But it was too late.
He kept calling like a madman. For a moment, her phone rang, and hope sparked in him. But soon, it went off. That was the last thing he remembered before his body gave up and everything went dark.
When Austin opened his eyes again, all he saw was a white ceiling. The steady beep of a machine echoed nearby. He could smell disinfectant, but it barely registered. Everything felt… hollow.
He didn’t remember what had happened. His mind refused to think, refused to care.
“Austin,” someone called softly, a voice from far away.
“I’m tired, son. Please… your mom and I need you,” the voice said again, filled with emotion.
He wanted to respond. He wanted to reach out to whoever was speaking. But his body didn’t move.
“First your mother, and now you… I never thought I’d live to see this day. Your father needs you, Austin.”
Those words broke through the fog. Slowly, he blinked and turned his head. He saw a man with a tired, worried face holding his hand tightly. His father, Noah, had tears running down his cheeks, his forehead resting on Austin’s hand.
The pieces started to come back. He was in the hospital.
Then another face appeared at the door.
“Abi,” Paulina said with a bright smile, relief flooding her expression.
Her voice made Noah look up too, and he smiled when he saw his son awake.
“Dad… Paulina…” Austin croaked, his throat dry.
“I’ll call the doctor!” his father said quickly, rushing out.
“Where am I? Why are you here?” Austin asked Paulina, confused. “You went back to your parents’ house.”
“You don’t remember?” she asked softly, her smile fading.
Where was she?
The question hit Austin the moment he opened his eyes. He blinked at the white ceiling, the beeping of machines echoing in his ears. Confused, he looked around, then turned to the figure sitting quietly beside his bed.
“What happened to me?” he asked, his voice rough.
Paulina hesitated before replying, “Uncle called me. He said you were in the hospital. I came yesterday.”
A strange thought struck him. “How long have I been here?”
“Four days,” she said gently. “I’ll get you some water.”
She stood, but Austin caught her wrist before she could leave. His eyes searched hers.
“Did anyone visit me during these four days?”
Her heart tightened at the hope in his voice. She looked away and whispered, “I don’t know. I only came yesterday.”
He swallowed hard. “Who brought me here?”
He was expecting her to say James. But Paulina’s reply shattered that hope.
“A passer-by. That’s what Uncle said.”
His grip loosened, and she slowly stepped away. “I thought you weren’t staying with your parents anymore,” he muttered, “and didn’t want to be in touch with anyone.”
She paused mid-step. His words were a clear distraction, but she’d already seen the pain behind his question. When she turned, she caught him quickly wiping away a tear, though his eyes remained closed.
Unable to bear the sight, Paulina rushed out of the room, hiding her own tears.
When she returned moments later, the bed was empty. Panic surged through her as she ran into Noah, who was already searching for his missing son.
Meanwhile, Austin had walked out of the hospital wearing nothing but his gown. A chill wind swept across his skin, but he barely noticed. He flagged down a taxi and climbed in, his thoughts consumed by one person, Dora.
He called her again, but just like before, her number was switched off.
The taxi dropped him at her apartment. As he stood there, a small smile played on his lips. He remembered holding her close just days ago. That memory warmed him, but only for a moment. The door was locked.
His knees buckled beneath him. Trembling, he collapsed in front of the closed door. A neighbor spotted him and rushed over, helping him inside his home. He offered Austin a glass of water, which he drank gratefully.
“Do you want to call someone?” the man asked.
But Austin’s eyes were fixed on Dora’s door.
“Are you looking for them?” the neighbor asked.
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