She raced through the hospital wards, ignoring the shouts from angry nurses. She stopped short outside Linda's door, took a deep breath to calm herself, and entered the room as quietly as she could. Maria and Samuel were already there bent over the bed, and Sophia was talking quietly to them. They went quiet as she entered and stepped away from the bed to let her approach.

She raced to the side of the bed and carefully took Linda's hand in her own. Her hand was skinny and cold, and her skin felt waxy, but she squeezed back very lightly.

​​

"Linda, I'm so happy to see you," she said. "How are you feeling? What did the doctor say?"

"I'm feeling much better," Linda croaked. "Sophia told me everything you and Sean have done for me. Thank you, Catherine."

"Don't mention it," Catherine said. "Maria, Sophia, what did the doctor say?"

"They're scheduling the biopsy on the tumor now," Maria said. "Now that she's awake, it's a lot safer for them to do the procedure."

Catherine looked down at Linda. Her face was pale and dry, and her eyes were half-closed. The bluish veins at her neck were visible through her skin, and they moved with a slow, sluggish pulse.

"I don't want—" Linda croaked.

"Shh," Sophia said. "The doctors will be here soon, just go with them and do what they say."

Linda nodded weakly and closed her eyes again. Minutes later, a knock sounded on the door, and two nurses appeared to take Linda away.

"Don't worry, it's a fast procedure," they said. "We'll have her back to you in less than an hour."

Catherine paced the room, checking her watch every 30 seconds. Sophia and Maria stared out the window together, too nervous about speaking. Samuel scuffed his shoes against the linoleum floors. Finally, the door opened, and the nurses wheeled the hospital bed back into the room.

"And?" Catherine asked.

"The doctor will discuss the results with you," the lead nurse said.

The two women ducked out of the door, leaving them alone in the room again. Sophia and Maria rushed to Linda's side—adjusting her pillows and smoothing the blankets on top of her.

Another knock sounded at the door, and the doctor entered. He was a middle-aged man with a military haircut and a soldier's posture. He glanced down at the chart in his hand and then shut the door behind him.

"Is it cancerous?" Sophia blurted.

"No," the doctor answered. "The good news is that the tumor is benign. But unfortunately, it's dangerously close to several important nerves. If the patient were to suffer another brain injury, she could be left comatose, paralyzed, or worse. The safest course of action is to remove the tumor—once the patient is fit for surgery, of course."

"Okay," Sophia said. "How soon can we schedule the surgery?"

"If she continues to improve at a steady rate, hopefully by the end of the week," the doctor said.

"No," Linda whispered.

"What?" Sophia asked.

"No, I don't want the surgery," Linda said.

"Don't be ridiculous, Mom," Sophia snapped. "You'll have the best surgeon in the city—the risk will be low. Doctor, tell her the risk will be low."

The doctor sighed, "Well, there's a risk with all surgeries, but relatively speaking, the risk will be low."

Catherine took one of Linda's hands in hers, "He's the best doctor in the city. You should listen to him—I know the surgery sounded scary, but it's your best chance of living a long and healthy life."

"No," Linda croaked.

"What's the problem?" she asked. "If you're worried about the expense, don't even think about it. Sean and I have that covered."

"It's not that," Linda said. "I don't want it."

Catherine dropped Linda's hand, feeling the heat of anger rise in her chest. "So what?" she snapped. "You want to leave Sophia alone and motherless in the world?"

"Of course not," Linda said. "But you heard the doctor, there's a risk. I don't want to slowly die in a hospital because something went wrong. I want to live my life as God intended, and if the tumor ends up killing me, I'll know it was my time to go."

The doctor cleared his throat, "You have my medical advice. Let me know when you've made a decision."

Without another word, he turned and left the room. Catherine looked at Sophia—tears shone in her friend's green eyes. Maria was also fighting back the tears, and Samuel was staring fixedly out the window.

"Linda, what are you talking about?" Catherine shouted. "Sophia loves and needs you. You know she even tolerated Tom's abuse because she didn't want to leave you alone. She hasn't left your side once in the last four days—she hardly ate or slept because of you. How can you do this to her?"

"Shh, Catherine," Maria scolded. "Don't yell."

"I'm sorry," Catherine said, taking a deep breath. "But it's how I feel."

"Is that how you feel too, Sophia?" Linda asked.

Sophia nodded, "Please don't give up, Mum."

"Oh, my dear," Linda whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"I can't live without you," Sophia whispered. "Please, Mum, be strong for me."

"Of course," Linda whispered. "I'll do it for you, Soph."

Catherine took a deep breath, "There's one more thing, Linda. Now that you're awake, you need to press charges against Tom. Sophia already has, but they can't go through with the divorce and restraining order if you don't do it too."

"I—Tom—police?" Linda asked. "Is he okay?"

"He put you in the hospital in a coma, and you ask if he's okay?" Catherine shouted. "No, he's not okay. It seems he was beaten while in the holding cell—he is suffering from multiple broken bones and other injuries."

Tears appeared in Linda's eyes, and she sniffled quietly.

"Are you really going to cry over that piece of shit?" Catherine shouted.

"He's a broken man," Linda whimpered. "He does bad things, but it's not his fault. And he's Sophia's father."

Catherine pointed at the stitches on Sophia's forehead, "Tell me, Linda, what kind of father does that to his own daughter?"

Linda slowly turned her head, and her face went pale. "No, he couldn't have," she whispered.

"He did," Sophia said, her voice rising. "And you know it isn't the first time, either. Don't make the same mistake I've watched you make my whole life. He's never going to change, Mum. And one day, he's going to kill you."

"He wouldn't," Linda said. "I'm sure he wouldn't."

"Are you delusional?" Catherine shouted. "Look at you, you're a middle-aged woman with a grown daughter, and you're acting like a stupid schoolgirl in love. He's a bad man. In fact, he's not even a man—he's an animal. You have to leave him."

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Dearest Lovies,

As the Chinese Lunar New Year is approaching, allow your humble author to share with you my tradition. You might all wonder about my nationality, I'm a proud Chinese human who can speak fluently five languages, including English, behind those few novels I've posted on this platform lies a creative and wild imagination.

So, as part of my tradition, every year, we celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year; 2021 is a year of the OX. Festive decorations and abundant foods were our way of expressing year-round gratitude. Therefore, before the 12th of this month (Friday), allow me to greet you in advance, Gong Xi Fa Cai 2021!

May this year of the OX bring abundance to our lives. On Friday, I will once again give a generous mass release as a gift.

Stay safe and spread love! You can follow me on Instagram cause I often posted a sneak preview of my running novels chapter.

Instagram Account: @annashannellin

Love lots,

Anna Shannel Lin