The Beginning of The End

/Annabelle's POV/

"Annabelle! Oh my God, I'm so sorry... I came as soon as I got your text. " Diane, my best friend, said as she rushed towards me, her face etched with worry as she pulled me into a tight hug.

"How's Betty? "

Tears prickled at the corner of my eyes. " I haven't heard anything yet." Diane's face fell, her brows furrowing as she guided me to a chair to sit down.

"Where's Ethan? " She inquired, her voice low.

I shrugged, avoiding eye contact. "He had an emergency "

Diane's brow furrowed. " What emergency? On your anniversary? " I cleared my throat as I shifted in my chair uncomfortably, unsure of what to reveal.

Diane wasn't a fan of Ethan as she thought of him as a total scumbag, especially as regards the way he seemed to disregard my feelings, so the last thing I wanted was to give her a reason to hate on him more.

"Penelope? " She asked, her eyes narrowing, and I suddenly felt a lump in my throat as I swallowed hard.

"That son of a bitch", she replied, her eyes turning into slits. Diane's venomous tone caused me to wince, but before she could continue her rants, Sabrina, Ethan's mum, stepped in, her presence commanding attention.

"Where is my granddaughter? " she asked, her voice tight with worry.

I stood up, trying to explain. "Sabrina, I'm so glad you are here. I texted you because I couldn't reach Ethan...."

Her hands shot up, silencing me. "I'm not here for you, Annabelle. I'm here for Betty." Her gaze pierced mine, accusation glued to her face.

I always knew Sabrina didn't like me. She never even tried to hide it, and I knew very well she wished Ethan had ended up with Penelope. She always saw me as a huge factor that blocked the connection between Ethan and Penelope.

" That's not fair." Diane started as she stepped

forward, her voice defensive, but Sabrina cut her off.

" If anything happens to my granddaughter, I'd never forgive you." She spat, her eyes blazing. I saw Diane make a move to reprimand her, but I placed my hands on her shoulder, restraining her.

"I came here for Betty, not to coddle your feelings. Don't think for a second I'm on your side, " she continued, as her voice dropped to a whisper, but its venom remained.

The waiting room fell silent, tension hanging heavily in the air. I swallowed hard, Sabrina's voice stinging like a slap.

Just then, the doctor emerged from the ICU. "Thompson family? " He asked, and my heart skipped a beat.

The doctor's sombre expression made my stomach twist, and I felt like throwing up.

Sabrina stepped forward, her eyes locked on the doctor. " How is my granddaughter, doctor? " she demanded.

The doctor's face fell. "I'm afraid we did everything we could, but...." I felt my world crumbling. "....we lost her." He finished.

A scream lodged in my throat. No, no, no. This can't be happening.

*******************************************

I slumped on the couch, surrounded by silence. The silence that had engulfed me since Betty's passing. It's been three days since her passing, and it still felt like torture.

Tears streamed down my face as I clutched her favourite toy. The small stuffed rabbit seemed to remind me of her gentle touch.

I rocked back and forth, cradling the stuffed toy like it was a fragile lifeline to my shattered world when I suddenly heard the sound of the door bursting open, which followed Ethan, Sabrina and Penelope's presence.

I glared at Ethan, my eyes burning with resentment. He'd barely crossed my path since Betty's death, and when he did, his gaze skipped over me as though I was invisible.

No acknowledgement, no apology, no comfort.

Now he stood before me, his mother, and Penelope at his side while Penelope held onto his hand as if her life depended on it; for someone who claimed to have her days numbered, she looked really good, if I might add. Her red lipstick greatly complimented the short red gown she had on.

I felt a bitter taste in my mouth. How could he?

"You have finally outdone yourself, right? You couldn't even take care of your daughter, " Sabrina spoke before I had the chance to. Her words cut deep, but I stood firm.

"You have always been a failure, Annabelle. What the hell are you even good at?" She continued. " A failure as a mother, a failure as a wife. You are worthless!" She spat.

" Mum, can we not say such things? Annabelle is already suffering enough. " Penelope stepped forward, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

Her eyes flickered to Sabrina and then to Ethan. A calculating glint in them. I felt sourness spread through my chest.

"Don't bother Penelope; I can see right through you," I said, my voice icy.

"I'm just trying to help Annabelle. We are all grieving."

"Annabelle, you are just so bitter," Ethan spoke for the first time since he got into the room, his tone cold. I felt a sting from his words like I was cut brutally with a knife.

"You had just one job, Annabelle. One job. Take care of Betty, and you couldn't even do that right." His words sliced like a razor.

" You've got to be kidding me, Ethan. You provided for us, yes. But that's all you ever did, and you stand here now and blame me for her death?"

Ethan's face reddened. "You are just deflecting from your failure. You are supposed to be a mother. A caregiver. But you failed. "

"You are right, Ethan. Annabelle's always been inadequate. " Sabrina agreed, her expression smug. Penelope's eyes darted between us with an interested gaze.

" You know what? I'm done with this. Let's get this over and done with. We both know Betty and Grandpa were the only connection between us, and now their both gone. There is no reason for us to be together ." He continued, his eyes cold and distant.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" I demanded, my heart beat pounding furiously like I was about to suffer a heart attack.

"Oh, please. I know you can be a lot of things, but don't tell me you are about to add dumb to your bucket list, " he spat out, looking at me with total disgust.

"But then, since you have chosen to act dumb. I'll help you, " he said, clenching his fist tightly. "I want a divorce! "