Life changes unexpectedly

**SOPHIE MADSON’S POV**

I didn't feel well during the night; I felt like being there wasn't the right thing to do. I told Steven's grandmother that I would return to the hospital to take some pain medication, but I was trying to find an excuse to get out of there because I didn't know what her grandson was capable of doing. As he was blinded, I didn't want to risk running into that girl anymore; the right moment for that would come later.

The driver takes me to the hospital, and I arrive there already being attended to. I was in a room, but only to take medication and relax a bit because the next day, I would leave. Sitting there, looking around the room, I remember that in a few months, I could have been giving birth with my baby in my arms at a moment like this, but reality was different. I touch my still swollen belly from the procedure and sigh; truth be told, I wanted to be strong; I wanted to accept what fate was holding for me. It's what's left for me.

The phone rings, I look at the screen, and my heart tightens. It was the hospital number where my mother was because it was specific for certain services. I shuffle and feel a sharp pain in my abdomen, then answer hurriedly.

***"Mrs. Wolker, I must inform you that your mother is in critical condition. I advise you to come to the hospital immediately."***

I freeze; now, I am about to find the bottom of the pit, or rather, I am about to meet the bottom of this pit's basement.

"Okay, I'm coming immediately."

I get up with difficulty and look at the intravenous medication in my arm. There was still a little left in place of the saline, and I was so desperate that I removed it myself, causing a little blood to come out, but I completely ignored it. I walk to the door with difficulty because the sudden movements I made intensified the pain. I discreetly leave, ignoring all discomfort and walking, hoping no one notices my departure.

When I reached the exit, I saw the driver leaning against the car, distracted; he didn't expect me to leave so quickly.

"Ma'am, let me help you!" he approaches, holding my arm.

"To the hospital where my mother is as fast as possible."

"Ma'am, I can't speed up so much given your condition," he warns.

"Don't worry about me. Just accelerate."

A worried look appears on his face, but I sit, biting my lip, groaning in pain, and then he accelerates. I held onto the car seat, enduring the pain; I would do whatever it took to be by her side.

When we arrive at the hospital, I pass through the door, and everyone looks at me as I walk with difficulty. One of the staff members comes to me with a wheelchair; I thank him because it would help more. I inform them of my intention there, and they don't hesitate to enter the area where I need to be.

When I reach her room's door, I see a medical team leaving with sad expressions. With them, I see the devices in their hands, and my heart stops; no... it can't be.

I stand up with difficulty, and the young man becomes worried.

"Ma'am, sit down. I'll take you there."

I ignore them, walking step by step, my heart crushed by tons. When everyone leaves, they notice my presence and come to me, worried.

"Let's talk, Sophie, accompany us."

"NO!"

"Please, now is not the time, given your condition. Let's talk first."

I push everyone's hands around me and walk without accepting help. When I reached the door, I saw the worst scene I could see in front of me. My mother was there, but I couldn't see her face because a white cloth covered her whole body, including her face. She passed away.

My legs weakened, the air was lacking, and everything spun. My fighter, a warrior who had been there for months through ups and downs, was gone. I would never come here again to tell her how complicated my relationship was or to help her comb her hair when she went out of the shower.

"MOMMMMMMMM!"

My scream was involuntary; it came from the depths of my soul. It escaped through my throat as if it were tearing it apart, and I walked towards the bed, throwing myself onto it and embracing the covered body.

"I wanted to say goodbye to you. Why didn't you wait for me? You would have been with me soon. Our home, mother, the balcony, the bathtub... noooo!"

"Sophie, you're not well. Let's medicate you."

"No!"

I didn't want to medicate myself; I wanted to go with them—first my son, then my mother. I had no more reasons to live, no foundation to sustain myself. Then everything started to blur, and it wasn't tears clouding my vision. I felt my body trembling and ended up fainting there on her.

__________________________

I don't know how much time has passed. I ended up fainting, and when I opened my eyes, I was in a room. The doctor who attended to my mother all these months was there, waiting attentively for an examination and explanation. When I tried to sit up and remembered my physical condition through the pain, he helped me do so.

I lower my head and feel immense anguish, but I can't cry; something is holding me back, and I can't distinguish what I'm feeling.

"I added a sedative to your medication; in the condition I know you're in, you can't go through this without medical intervention."

"No problem."

"Unfortunately, the only certainty we have in life is that one day, that day will come. As a doctor, I know well how it happens, and I feel for each patient," he consoles.

I can't say anything else; I was calm because of the medication, but at the same time, everything was swirling in my head in such a messy, confusing way that I didn't know how to handle so much happening at once.

"I know it's not the right time, but it may be important to know this as soon as possible. Before the incident, a young woman and a middle-aged man had been there. Even with visits suspended, I don't know how they managed it, but they visited your mother."

I raise my gaze, my eyes swollen and small from crying. Upon hearing that, I feel a tightness in my chest, and I start making several assumptions in my head.

"Can I access the security cameras to see if I recognize these people?"

"Yes, of course. Wait a moment."

He leaves the room, and then a guy with another wheelchair comes to me. Helping me up, I sat there while he took me to a different area of the hospital, which was probably the administrative part, and we entered a surveillance room with many cameras.

I'm directed to the numerous screens in front, and the guy in charge of this department, already informed of what it was about, points to the screen where the image I wanted to see would appear.

My eyes fixed on the screen, observing the tall, slender woman, and even with a headscarf, I would recognize Nathaly from afar; the other was the bastard I called father. If I hadn't been sedated at that moment, I would have freaked out and could have died right there, but hatred sustains me, and I now must fulfill. I knew that the justice of men was flawed, especially for her, who has a lot of money. The cause of my mother's death was a heart attack so that nothing would incriminate them.