Stubbornness

Beep … beep …

The shrill sound of a vital sign monitor and the smell of disinfectant pierced the ears and nose of a woman who had just opened her eyes.

"You've woken up," Callie said plainly to her friend who was laying on the bed.

Ellie, who couldn't completely open her eyes due to the throbbing ache in her head, wrinkled her brows, even more, when she heard Callie's unpleasant voice.

"Cal… what happened? What's...."

Callie scowled as she heard the question. "What's the matter? Okay! I'll tell you. You passed out because you were pregnant. Preg-nant! Can you hear me? Pregnant! And you are not telling me!"

Ellie sighed. She lifted her hand to massage her temple and cast a glance at Callie before closing her eyes again.

Finally, the secret she had been keeping was disclosed.

With her still erratic breath, Ellie attempted to put the words together.

"Cal, I—"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Callie interrupted Ellie's response with another question. "How come you didn't tell me you were pregnant, and on top of that, you were sleeping with that scumbag? You... errghh!"

Callie couldn't finish her sentence. Oh, God! She was so pissed right now.

"Are you out of your mind, Ellie Lynn?" Callie exclaimed and glared sharply at Ellie.

She was aware of Noah's treatment toward Ellie, as well as the fact that he had never presented Ellie as his wife yet was constantly seen hugging his girlfriend in public.

So Ellie's pregnancy is completely unacceptable to her. Not if it's Noah's.

"Tell me, you still love that jerk, right? Ellie, wake up! He does not love you!" Callie scolded. "He abused you!! He has no feelings for you, not even a speck! Do you hear me? He despises you, Ellie! Don't you get it yet? Huh? After all, that happened to you?"

The corners of Ellie's eyes welled up with tears again. She knew Callie was right and realized that, but ... why did she still feel the pain? Why?

Every time she heard his name or remembered him, pain always followed. Is it what love means? Pain? Bitterness?

"Cal, please. Stop." With a hoarse voice, Ellie pleaded.

"Annoyed? You deserve it!"

Ellie nod. "I know. I know. But please ... don't tell anyone about this," Ellie begged as she looked down and sobbed.

Callie's heart broke as she saw how pitifully Ellie was now. She sighed and sat back down.

"What will you do then, you know—"

"Cal, I'd want to meet Mom." Ellie cut Callie off and forced herself to sit down.

"Answer me first, El!" Callie insisted.

Ellie refused to listen. She yanked the IV needle from her hand and sat down.

"El! What are you doing?" Callie was taken aback by what Ellie did.

"I'd like to see Mom."

"You! Haish..." Callie gives in. She helps Ellie to sit up.

"Mom is alright now. She has passed the critical phase. It is you who..."

"Really?" Ellie instantly shifted her attention to Callie after hearing what she said. "She's okay now?"

"Hmm." Callie pursed her lips and nodded.

However, Ellie could tell by the expression on Callie's face that she was keeping something from her.

"Cal?"

Callie jerked her head up. Her gaze met Ellie's, who squinted suspiciously at her.

Sighing, she bit her bottom lip. "El, you know how your mother has been the last several months. It isn't simply her kidney..."

Ellie's head shook. "No. Where is Mom? Cal, where is she?"

"El, you need to rest! You've just awoken! You were unconscious all night, do you know that?"

"Cal!" Ellie snapped, causing Callie to jump in shock.

Callie tries not to be caught away by the feeling. She clenched her teeth and shifted her position sideways.

"ICU. The critical phase has passed, however..." Callie replied as she stared off into the distance. Her lips trembled, unable to speak any further.

Ellie's tears suddenly ran down her cheeks on their own. She seemed to sense what her former boss was about to say.

She rushed out of her room as soon as she shoved Callie's embrace over her shoulder.

"Ellie!"

Ellie's ears were deafened. She's quickening her pace as she makes her way to the ICU, ignoring the reoccurring pain in her stomach.

She wanted to see her mother. She has to!

Arriving at the ICU, she saw doctor Webber – the doctor who treated Diana – had come out of there.

"Doctor!" Ellie called as she approached him. "Doctor, how's my mother?"

Doctor Webber, who had just closed the ICU door, looked at Ellie with wide eyes.

"Ellie? What are you doing? You still have to rest!"

Ellie shook her head and took that senior doctor's hand.

"Doc, how's my mother? What happened to her? Please, tell me," Ellie pleaded.

Doctor Webber sighed. He helped Ellie into a chair and sat her down.

"You just woke up, Ellie, and you're about to have a child. Take care of your health first."

Ellie's abdominal discomfort suddenly became excruciating. Cold sweat began to trickle down her back and palms. It's painful!

She clenched her fists and pressed her lips together, suppressing the ache.

"Esshh…"

"El?" Doctor Webber held Ellie's shoulder and looked at her worriedly. "See? You still need to rest. You were on the verge of losing your baby yesterday. Don't be stubborn. Get some rest, Ellie."

Doctor Webber's attention switches to Callie, who stands against the wall beside them. "Would you please assist her to..."

Ellie took Doctor Webber's hand off her shoulder and held it tight as she stared intently at that middle-aged man.

"I'm alright, Doctor. So, please tell me. How is my mother?" Ellie keeps pressing that former mentor of hers about Diana. She can't be at ease unless she hears something about her mother.

"Ellie, you need to rest! You still in pain!" Callie said strongly.

Doctor Webber motioned with his hand for Callie to remain quiet. The middle-aged man inhaled deeply before looking at Ellie with gloomy eyes.

Ellie's hope disappeared as she saw the doctor's face.

"Doctor, please tell me. My mum is alright, right? Isn't that correct, Doctor?"

Ellie refused her instinct. She had expected the response, yet she still resisted it.

She fixed her gaze on the man, who was likewise staring at her without saying anything.

"Doctor, I went to see her the day after yesterday. She's gotten a lot better. How is it possible that her condition deteriorated so quickly?"

Indeed! When she last saw her mother, the latest report she read stated that her mother was doing much better. So, why does her mother's condition deteriorate so suddenly? She couldn't believe it.

"Doctor, you ... you must be wrong. A-are you sure it was Diana Lucas you are talking about? She's not, right?"