Longing You (Book 4)

chp12

Miranda was completely shattered. She had no idea how to react or what to do. Everything was taking its toll on her, and it appeared that her life was taking a wrong turn.

The phone call she received the next day took everything to a whole new level. Miranda was at her desk when her phone rang from an unknown number. She was unsure whether she should take the call or not, but she answered it anyway.

"Hello."

"Miranda, this is Nancy. You must come to the Towns Hospital right away. Eric was involved in a car accident —" Miranda couldn't believe what she was hearing. Yes, she wanted to be away from him, but not at the cost of his life.

She rushed to the hospital and went straight to his room. Eric was lying on the bed, his head wrapped in a white bandage.

"Miranda," Nancy said as she approached her. "He is in critical condition. The doctor won't know if he would wake up or not."

Miranda sobbed as she ran towards Eric. "I am truly sorry, Eric. Please get up. You cannot abandon our daughter and me. I am sorry for saying I wanted to be away from you. I won't be able to leave without you. I promise to tell you everything and never to bring up the subject of divorce again. Please wake up, Eric. Please—"

"You promise?" He asked her, which made her wipe her eyes and hug him.

Eric struggled to sit up straight with her in his arms. Miranda was not leaving him, which made him feel warm.

"I promise, Miranda, I am fine. I am not going anywhere." He reassured her.

"I am truly sorry, Eric."

Eric had no idea how much of an impact this trick would have on Miranda.

"Miranda, I am perfectly fine. I was involved in a minor accident. I have actually been awake for an hour." Miranda let go of him and looked at him with teary eyes.

"So, all of this was an act?" She asked him, dumbfounded.

"Well, sort of. I couldn't make you see me any other way." He nervously scratched his neck.

"So, everything was a lie." She stated matter-of-factly.

"Not everything. I have had a concussion. I stumbled—" But she cut him off.

"You can never stop, Eric, can you? You didn't think the last time was enough. You just set a new standard for stooping low."

"—Miran—" But she slapped him across the face.

"If you really want to kill me, just give me poison; if that's too much for you, I will do it myself. You can do whatever you want. I am officially done with you." Miranda then exited the room and sat on a bench in the hospital corridor, started to cry.

After a few minutes, she was still as a statue when she felt little hands wiping her tears. She was surprised to see her daughter.

"Lizzy—" Miranda whispered.

"Mom, please don't cry."

Melissa couldn't believe what she was hearing. She clung to her daughter tightly. "I am so sorry for abandoning you, baby. I wish I could tell you everything."

"Perhaps when I am older, just don't leave us again." She informed her mother.

"I promise." Miranda kissed her on the cheeks.

"Dad told me everything. Please forgive him. He loves you. He acts childishly, but it's because he wants you back. He's been moping around for the past few days, you know."

"Lizzy—" Miranda let out a sigh. She didn't know how to explain to her how complicated things were. "Let us take things one step at a time." Lizzy was left with no choice but to nod her head.