Chapter 2 · Sunset Love

Chapter 2

"I walked past the animal ER downstairs earlier. I heard Dr. Smith was there all night, and the surgery on Fluffy went really well," the nurse said.

She paused, then added, "The animal ER is right below our maternity ward."

I gripped the edge of the bed and slowly sat up.

"Thank you for telling me," I said to the nurse.

She looked at me, hesitating. "Would you like something to eat? Maybe some oatmeal?"

I shook my head.

My stomach felt like it was stuffed with cotton soaked in ice water. I had no appetite at all.

The nurse sighed, didn't insist, and turned to leave.

Once again, I was alone in the room.

Daylight filled the room, but the first day of Christmas was overcast, with no sun in sight.

I pulled the IV needle from the back of my hand, and blood welled up instantly, but I didn't feel any pain.

I steadied myself against the wall and walked out, step by step.

I was weak, and every step made my lower belly throb with a heavy, dragging pain.

Still, I pushed forward, stubborn as ever.

I wanted to go see for myself.

I wanted to see that dog, the one he cared about more than our baby and me put together.

I wanted to see what kind of expression Liam would have after staying up all night for it.

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped inside.

The maternity ward was on the fifth floor, and the animal ER was on the first.

Just a few dozen yards apart, but it felt like a whole world away.

When the elevator doors opened on the first floor, a wave of disinfectant and animal fur washed over me.

I saw that familiar figure at once.

Liam was standing with his back to me, outside a VIP isolation room, bending over a bit as he looked through the glass window.

He looked exhausted, his white coat wrinkled, but his profile was gentler than I'd ever seen.

I steadied myself against the wall and walked slowly toward him.

"Fluffy really scared me last night. I'm so glad you were there, Liam," came a playful voice with a hint of huskiness.

It was Ava.

She had Liam's suit jacket draped over her shoulders, her small face peeking out from under it, makeup barely visible, eyes red and puffy. She looked heartbreakingly fragile.

"It's just a little thing. You're crying so much. Anyone passing by would think I hurt you," Liam said, his voice teasing and full of affection.

"I don't care. You did hurt me." Ava pouted, giving his arm a playful punch, the gesture so natural and close. "You have to make it up to me."

"Alright, alright, I'll make it up to you." Liam laughed, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "Tell me, what do you want?"

"Hmm..." Ava tilted her head, pretending to think. "Your punishment is that you have to stay with Fluffy and me all day. No sneaking off."

"Alright, whatever you say," Liam agreed without a second thought.

I stood not far behind them, like a pathetic spectator crashing someone else's life.

Turns out, he could be gentle, just never with me.

I remembered one time when I had a fever of 102.2°F and asked him to take me to the hospital.

He'd sounded impatient on the phone. "Emma, how old are you? You need someone to hold your hand just because you have a fever? I'm at an important conference right now, I can't just leave."

Later, I found out that his so-called conference was actually him taking Ava to see the latest movie.

Ava said she was too scared to watch a movie alone.

My heart felt like it was being crushed by an invisible hand. I could hardly breathe from the pain.

I took a deep breath and walked over.

"Liam," I called out.

My voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet hallway, it carried clearly.

Liam and Ava turned to face me at the same time.

The moment Liam saw me, the tenderness on his face vanished, replaced by surprise and obvious displeasure.

"What are you doing here?" he snapped, his voice icy. "Who let you out of bed? Stop being so reckless."

Ava saw me, too. She dramatically covered her mouth. Panic flickered in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with concern.

"Oh, Emma? What are you doing here? You look so pale. Are you feeling unwell?" Ava asked, her voice dripping with concern.

As she spoke, she moved as if to help me, but her gaze lingered on the loose, empty leg of my hospital pants.

"Emma, it's Christmas. Why are you out here dressed so lightly? Did you come... to see Fluffy?" Ava said, her tone sweet but with fake concern.

"See Fluffy?" I echoed quietly, my voice barely audible.

A metallic taste welled up in my throat.

I looked at Ava's innocent, concerned face and almost wanted to laugh.

"Yeah, I'm here to see it," I said, forcing a smile as my eyes locked onto Liam. "To see the dog that's apparently more precious than my child."

Chapter 2

"I walked past the animal ER downstairs earlier. I heard Dr. Smith was there all night, and the surgery on Fluffy went really well," the nurse said.

She paused, then added, "The animal ER is right below our maternity ward."

I gripped the edge of the bed and slowly sat up.

"Thank you for telling me," I said to the nurse.

She looked at me, hesitating. "Would you like something to eat? Maybe some oatmeal?"

I shook my head.

My stomach felt like it was stuffed with cotton soaked in ice water. I had no appetite at all.

The nurse sighed, didn't insist, and turned to leave.

Once again, I was alone in the room.

Daylight filled the room, but the first day of Christmas was overcast, with no sun in sight.

I pulled the IV needle from the back of my hand, and blood welled up instantly, but I didn't feel any pain.

I steadied myself against the wall and walked out, step by step.

I was weak, and every step made my lower belly throb with a heavy, dragging pain.

Still, I pushed forward, stubborn as ever.

I wanted to go see for myself.

I wanted to see that dog, the one he cared about more than our baby and me put together.

I wanted to see what kind of expression Liam would have after staying up all night for it.

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped inside.

The maternity ward was on the fifth floor, and the animal ER was on the first.

Just a few dozen yards apart, but it felt like a whole world away.

When the elevator doors opened on the first floor, a wave of disinfectant and animal fur washed over me.

I saw that familiar figure at once.

Liam was standing with his back to me, outside a VIP isolation room, bending over a bit as he looked through the glass window.

He looked exhausted, his white coat wrinkled, but his profile was gentler than I'd ever seen.

I steadied myself against the wall and walked slowly toward him.

"Fluffy really scared me last night. I'm so glad you were there, Liam," came a playful voice with a hint of huskiness.

It was Ava.

She had Liam's suit jacket draped over her shoulders, her small face peeking out from under it, makeup barely visible, eyes red and puffy. She looked heartbreakingly fragile.

"It's just a little thing. You're crying so much. Anyone passing by would think I hurt you," Liam said, his voice teasing and full of affection.

"I don't care. You did hurt me." Ava pouted, giving his arm a playful punch, the gesture so natural and close. "You have to make it up to me."

"Alright, alright, I'll make it up to you." Liam laughed, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "Tell me, what do you want?"

"Hmm..." Ava tilted her head, pretending to think. "Your punishment is that you have to stay with Fluffy and me all day. No sneaking off."

"Alright, whatever you say," Liam agreed without a second thought.

I stood not far behind them, like a pathetic spectator crashing someone else's life.

Turns out, he could be gentle, just never with me.

I remembered one time when I had a fever of 102.2°F and asked him to take me to the hospital.

He'd sounded impatient on the phone. "Emma, how old are you? You need someone to hold your hand just because you have a fever? I'm at an important conference right now, I can't just leave."

Later, I found out that his so-called conference was actually him taking Ava to see the latest movie.

Ava said she was too scared to watch a movie alone.

My heart felt like it was being crushed by an invisible hand. I could hardly breathe from the pain.

I took a deep breath and walked over.

"Liam," I called out.

My voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet hallway, it carried clearly.

Liam and Ava turned to face me at the same time.

The moment Liam saw me, the tenderness on his face vanished, replaced by surprise and obvious displeasure.

"What are you doing here?" he snapped, his voice icy. "Who let you out of bed? Stop being so reckless."

Ava saw me, too. She dramatically covered her mouth. Panic flickered in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with concern.

"Oh, Emma? What are you doing here? You look so pale. Are you feeling unwell?" Ava asked, her voice dripping with concern.

As she spoke, she moved as if to help me, but her gaze lingered on the loose, empty leg of my hospital pants.

"Emma, it's Christmas. Why are you out here dressed so lightly? Did you come... to see Fluffy?" Ava said, her tone sweet but with fake concern.

"See Fluffy?" I echoed quietly, my voice barely audible.

A metallic taste welled up in my throat.

I looked at Ava's innocent, concerned face and almost wanted to laugh.

"Yeah, I'm here to see it," I said, forcing a smile as my eyes locked onto Liam. "To see the dog that's apparently more precious than my child."