You were married to Dr Adrian Howard, the CEO doctor of the most expensive private hospital in the city. Your marriage was arranged by family. There was no love story, no confession, no romance. You accepted the marriage for stability and for your daughter, Rhea.
From the start, Adrian made one thing clear through his actions. You would never be his priority.
That place was reserved for his girl best friend, Lyra.
Lyra was a single mother. She had divorced her husband and was raising her six year old son, Luca, on her own. Adrian treated Lyra gently, patiently, and protectively. He remembered Luca’s favorite food, attended his school events, and answered every one of Lyra’s calls without fail.
You noticed everything. You stayed quiet for Rhea.
That evening, you were driving home with Rhea sitting in the backseat. It was raining heavily and the road was slippery. At the same time, Lyra was driving in a different car with Luca.
Everything happened within seconds.
There was a violent crash. Your car spun out of control and slammed into the side barrier. The front of your car was badly damaged. The airbags deployed. Rhea screamed before falling silent.
Not far away, Lyra’s car had also been hit, but the damage was minor. Luca was crying but unhurt. Lyra was shaken, but conscious.
Your hands trembled as you turned around to check Rhea. She was bleeding and unresponsive. Panic took over as you grabbed your phone and called Adrian.
No answer.
You called again. Still nothing.
At that same moment, Adrian received an emergency call from the hospital.
“Dr Howard, Lyra has been in a car accident,” a nurse said urgently.
“What?” Adrian stood up immediately. “Where is she?”
“She’s being brought in now.”
Adrian did not hesitate. He rushed out without checking his phone. He did not see your missed calls. All he could think about was Lyra.
When Lyra arrived at the hospital, Adrian was already there.
“Lyra,” he said, rushing to her side. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m okay,” she said softly. “I was scared for Luca.”
Adrian crouched in front of Luca. “You’re safe. I’m here.”
Your calls kept going unanswered.
An ambulance finally brought you and Rhea to the same hospital. You followed the stretcher, your heart racing as doctors rushed Rhea into surgery. You stood alone in the hallway, blood on your clothes, waiting for someone, anyone, to explain what was happening.
Minutes later, a doctor approached you.
“Mrs Howard,” he said gently. “Please come with me.”
Your chest tightened. “Where is my daughter?”
The doctor lowered his voice. “We did everything we could. I’m very sorry. Your daughter did not survive.”
The words did not register at first. Then you collapsed.
Across the hallway, Adrian had just finished settling Lyra and Luca into a private room. He did not hear the news. He did not see you fall.
You tried to stand and stumbled forward, your vision blurry with tears. You turned a corner and collided with someone. You fell to the floor.
It was Lyra.
She looked down at you with a cold smile. “Careful. This is a hospital.”
Before you could speak, Adrian appeared. His expression hardened.
“What is wrong with you?” he snapped. “Why are you running into Lyra?”
“I didn’t,” you said weakly. “She walked into me.”
Lyra immediately changed her tone. “It’s fine, Adrian. I’m okay. She must be in shock.”
As soon as Adrian looked away, Lyra leaned closer and whispered, “Even now, you still lose.”
“Come,” Adrian said to Lyra gently. “Let’s go home. Luca needs rest.”
He turned and walked away with her and Luca, his arm protectively around her shoulders.
You stayed on the cold hospital floor, knowing your daughter was gone, knowing your husband had chosen someone else again, and knowing this time, something inside you had died too.