Chapter 97
VERA'S POV
I wanted to stop by Hannah's place before heading to the hospital. I had called her phone too many times, but she didn’t pick up. So, I went straight to the hospital instead.
Her voice on the phone earlier had sounded panicked, more shaken than I'd ever heard her. That tone alone made my stomach twist and turn. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was really wrong. I felt sick, nervous, and completely unsettled.
Hannah and Oscar had never fought before, not seriously. They were the couple everyone looked up to. Always holding hands, sharing glances, making the rest of us wish for a love like theirs. So her saying they fought? It had to be real. She wouldn’t joke about something like that.
I called Dr. Halmes next. He was already expecting me. I told Max to stay back and look after the boys, Timothy and Malone. Jack had already driven himself out. I didn’t need the driver. My kids mattered more than any bodyguard Jack could assign. I knew Jack would’ve made a fuss, insisted I go with a driver, and argued until I gave in.
I was glad he left before I did. But I was still upset that he dumped our plans for the day over a damn text. I wouldn’t forgive that easily.
As I entered the hospital, I forced a smile. It almost cracked my lips. People rushed past in white coats and scrubs. A redhead at the reception desk waved at me. I waved back.
“Hello, Janie?” I smiled tight.
“Vera!” Her eyes lit up as she reached across the counter to squeeze my hand. “I didn’t think you’d ever come back to us, not when you can afford the fancy places now.”
I chuckled lightly, but there was no humor in it. She looked like she might jump the desk and hug me.
Downtown had its charm. Everyone knew everyone. Even when you didn’t want them to. And so the few people who worked at Doctor Halme’s Specialist Hospital were like family. It's not to compare to those fancy and expensive City hospitals that money has introduced me to, filled with people who only respect money.
“I didn’t know you were back,” I deflected quickly. Last time I was here, she was gone. People had whispered about her dating the sheriff’s son, way younger than her. She was divorced, had a teenage son. Her lover could’ve been her son’s friend.
“I’ve been back for a while,” she said, shrugging. Then she motioned toward the hallway. “The doctor’s waiting. You know how he gets. That man ages backward.”
I wrinkled my nose at her joke and gave her a short nod. Her face went serious as she bent back to her paperwork.
“Alright. Have a good shift,” I said, remembering the gossip in the papers.
A few weeks ago, she’d reportedly turned down a marriage proposal from that young lover and left town. No one had followed up on the story. Maybe their families had sorted it out quietly.
“Yeah,” she mumbled without looking up.
I turned and headed to Dr. Halmes’ office. The familiar smell of sanitizer and coffee made me pause at the door. When I stepped in, his warm smile deepened the wrinkles on his face. I sat down across from him, leaning slightly on the desk.
“I wasn’t expecting your call, but I’m glad you reached out,” he said. The way he said it made me nervous, like he knew something I didn’t.
“You still haven’t retired? I thought you’d be resting in your favorite chair by now,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
“Old age isn’t a disease, Vera,” he chuckled. “Besides, my wife doesn’t want me around the house too much. She says I meddle.”
I laughed, picturing his wife bossing him around the kitchen.
“She’s not wrong. Maybe you should let her live in peace and stop hiding behind your lab coat.”
He adjusted his glasses and flipped through a folder on his desk, my file. I watched his eyes skim over the pages.
“It’s like you never admit your mother’s cooking is bad until it ruins your taste buds,” he said, half-joking. Then his expression sobered.
“You already know you’re pregnant,” he began. “But I’m concerned, Vera. Especially after what happened last time.”
That memory hit hard. The argument with Monica. Jack trying to break it up. Me falling down the stairs. The miscarriage. I had run to Dr. Halmes for help when I returned, even though Jack said his doctor could handle it. I wasn’t sure if I’d been cautious or just scared.
“I’m fine,” I said firmly. “If I felt anything wrong, you’d be the first I’d call… unless I’m unconscious.”
I paused. My hand dropped to my belly.
This baby inside me, Jack’s baby again, it scared me, but I wanted to protect it with everything I had.
“I hope you mean that,” he replied, scanning my face. “Still, I want to run a few more tests. Just to be safe.”
The rest of the appointment felt more like a therapy session than a checkup. When the tests were finally done, I headed straight to Hannah’s house.
As I walked up to her porch, something felt… off.
There was no noise. No kids yelling or laughing. No footsteps. No clatter. No Oscar peeking through the front door camera and opening the door before I knocked.
The silence was wrong.
My chest tightened. I couldn’t breathe.
This wasn’t normal.
If anyone was inside, they had seen me already. I turned back toward my car to get my phone. Maybe they weren’t home.
Then the door flew open.
Hannah rushed out and straight into my arms. Her body trembled against mine.
“He left… with the kids, Vera,” she whispered. “He wants a divorce and… and… and… Oh, God!”
I froze.
Oh, God.
I held her tighter.
I felt like the worst friend ever. She had always been there for me, every time. But when she needed me most, I had been distracted by my own family drama.
I didn’t even know things had gotten this bad.
Their marriage, the one I admired so much, was falling apart. And I had no idea.
What could have changed everything so fast?
Why do people stop loving each other?
Is it really that hard to keep the promises made at the altar? Promises made with family smiling, friends cheering, and hearts full of hope.
What happens to all of that?
I didn’t have the answers. But right now, I am here. And I wasn’t going anywhere.