Sophia’s POV
The day was busy with patients, paperwork, and check-ups, but I still felt heavy inside. As a medical student learning in different places, I had seen a lot of sadness, but nothing could get me ready for the news that Anastasia’s dad had died.
I was looking at some records when I got an emergency call that someone had passed out. When I arrived, I saw a woman with chestnut brown hair lying on the bed, and I recognized her.
I was shocked to find out that it was Anastasia. When I asked about what had happened from the present nurses, “She fainted from a panic attack because of her dad’s death,” They said.
I managed to send her mother home with a nurse before taking Anastasia to a room to rest. The realization of what it meant just dawned on me. How could someone face so much crisis? I stared at her on the bed, the beeping of the monitor mirroring how fragile she must be right now.
She was my best friend, and seeing her like that broke something inside me.
Hours passed. I kept myself busy, checking on other patients, but my mind was always with her. When I returned to the room, her eyes fluttered open, and I noticed the brief confusion that passed over her face. I moved closer, watching as she tried to piece everything together.
“Ana?” I called softly, trying not to startle her. “You’re awake.”
Her eyes met mine, still dazed. “What happened?” she murmured, her voice rough and distant.
“You fainted,” I told her quickly, not wanting to dwell on it. “It’s been a day or two. You need to take it easy.”
The memory of her father must have hit her then because I saw the pain flash in her eyes. “Mom?” she asked, her voice suddenly sharp with concern.
“She’s fine,” I reassured her. “I sent her home to rest.”
She went to ask about Blake, it saddened me to tell her that he didn’t even make a single call. Has her marriage worsened to that extent? I knew that would be a question for another time.
The doctor came in to advise Ana and she went on to make a request to him not to tell Blake about her pregnancy. I thought we agreed on telling him what happened within the course of some hours.
I didn’t have time to process the implications of that request because just then, the door opened again. Blake walked in, his presence cold and unwelcome.
“Tch.. talk of the devil…” I muttered under my breath. I shot Anastasia a quick look, letting her know I’d be back later, and left the room, my heart heavy.
As I stepped out, I couldn’t help but think about how much pain she was in-pain that Blake seemed oblivious to. But I knew Anastasia was strong. She would survive this, no matter what came her way.
I went to finish up a few tasks, trying to give Anastasia some space. When I came back, Blake was gone, and Anastasia looked like she was struggling to stay calm. Her eyes were puffy and red, but there was a strong look in them that I hadn’t noticed before.
Mike, her dad’s assistant, was in the room and looked a bit concerned. “Excuse me for interrupting, but I need to tell you something important,” he said, pausing before continuing. “Your dad’s business is almost out of money. The bankruptcy is getting serious”.
You must be joking.
They said a few things to each other before she noticed I was there.
Her reaction was a mix of shock and fury. “No… I have to take over. I need to fix this.”
I placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “Not now. You need to focus on yourself. You just lost your father. You can’t handle the company in this state.”
She looked at me with a look of urgency in her eyes. “But I need to take action. ” “I can’t just stay here. ”
I spoke more gently because I understood she was trying to take charge in a situation that had quickly gotten out of control. “I understand you want to do something, but you need to look after yourself first. ” Please, Ana, just take a break for now. “We can handle the company later. ”
She looked at me for a long time and then, even though she didn’t want to, she nodded.
“Fine… but just for now.”
Relieved, I squeezed her hand again. “Thank you. You’ve been through enough. Let me handle things for a while.”
I turned to Mr. Mike, instructing him to leave, for now, giving Anastasia the space she desperately needed. The weight of the situation was heavy on all of us, but it was clear that Anastasia needed time to grieve before taking on anything else.
Once he left, I sat beside her again. She seemed very small and delicate lying there. I could see she was very tired, and her sadness felt deep inside her.
“Sophia,” she said softly after being quiet for a while, “thank you. for being here. ”
I smiled at her sadly and moved some hair away from her face. “I’m always here to help you, Ana. ” “We’ll make it through this, alright. ”
She agreed with her head, and for a moment, it seemed like she might really trust what I was saying. But then, sadness took over her face again, and she looked away, not able to accept the difficult truth around her.
I sat there, holding her hand, wishing there was more I could do. But for now, all I could offer was my presence-and my promise that she wouldn’t have to face this alone.