Selfish People

Scarlett’s point of view

My chest tightened, and my eyelids burned with tears that threatened to burst out of my eyes. If something were to happen to Asherly, how would I live with myself? How would I keep going? She came into my life unexpectedly; she came as a ray of sunshine and lit up my dark world. How would I live without her, and how would I ever face Scarlynn?

I couldn't protect her. I failed my duty as a mother. I've failed.

The tears I've been trying to hold spilled out of my eyes as I paced across the operating room. The doctors and the group of nurses rushed inside as soon as we arrived with Asherly, and they haven't come out yet.

“Pacing around will not change the situation.” I turned my attention to Asher, shooting him a glassy stare. He was way too calm; he didn't care about Asherly at all.

“This is all your fault...” I walked over to him, tension building up within me, my muscles tightening. “You forced me to go to that damned auction against my will. Had I not gone with you, Asherly wouldn't be in such a condition. I wouldn't have let anything happen to her but you!” I burst into sobs, hitting Asher’s chest with my trembling hand.

Emptiness echoed through my chest, a sharp pang piercing like someone was twisting it with a dagger, and the pain was just too unbearable.

Asher pulled me into a tight embrace. I wanted to push him away, but I didn't have the strength. I sobbed into his chest, soaking his shirt with my warm tears.

I moved out of Asher’s embrace when the sound of footsteps echoed on the tiles. I quickly turned my attention to the operating room to see two nurses rushing out.

I rushed to them. “How is my child doing? Don't you dare tell me to wait. Tell me how my daughter is doing?” My voice cracked, unable to contain my emotions.

“I'm sorry to say this, Ma'am, but your child has been in cardiac arrest for the past five minutes, and if she doesn't wake up in the next few minutes, then I'm so sorry, we won't be able to do anything. She has been in the freezer for too long for an infant. We will keep you updated; for now, please excuse me.” The nurse explained and walked away; her words echoed in my brain for longer than they should.

My knees weakened, causing me to fall on the ground, more tears welling up in my eyes, and heaviness settling on my chest.

My mind went completely blank; I couldn't think of anything. All I knew was I couldn't lose Asherly.

I just couldn't, no matter what happens. If I lose her, then I will lose my sanity, and even I was afraid of my own wrath.

I felt strong arms wrapping around me, pulling me up. It was Asher, and I didn't even have the strength to push him away.

“Pull yourself together; Asherly will be fine, nothing will happen to her.” Asher’s voice was above a whisper, giving me a glimmer of hope. I held on to his words, and I hoped she would be fine.

Asher made me sit on the bench, and he sat next to me, pulling my head into his chest. Right now my hate for him was way too little compared to my fear of losing Asherly.

“Will she be fine?” I asked, my pulse slowing with each passing second; I just wanted to hear that Asherly was going to be fine.

Asher lifted his finger, wiping away my tears. “Trust me, she will be alright. Just have faith and stop crying; you don't want her to see you crying like this, do you?” Asher’s voice was calm. I lifted my hand and wiped away my tears with my palm.

Each minute that passes feels like hundreds of years have passed, and my head pounds, my heart aching. I just wanted the doctor to come and tell me that my daughter was already here, or else hell was to break loose.

“Scarlynn, how is the baby doing?” I raised my head to see Grandma and the whole family, but my eyes landed on one particular person.

How dare she come here?

She sure has the nerve to come here after trying to kill my child.

I clenched my jaws, sending a glare to her. In less than a second, I jerked to my feet, walking towards her, and I grasped her hair, tightening my grip around it.

“How dare you come here?” My voice was low and menacing. “My daughter is in there fighting for her life all because of you and you have the nerve to come here? How dare you? Where do you get the audacity?”

“Scarlynn, I made a mistake, okay, and I've apologized. What more do you want from me?” She retorted, her voice trembling with pain due to my grip on her hair.

She didn't even regret what she did to Asherly; she was just heartless. It was just hard to believe that she had given birth to a child. How can a mother do this to a small baby?

“Scarlynn, my dear, please don't do this here. This will ruin our reputation,” Granny said, her teeth gritted.

Hot tears streamed down my face, not just any tears but angry tears. Everyone was just selfish, thinking about no one but themselves.

“Had it been your child in there, would you have cared about your so-called reputation?” My gaze was now on her, blazing with fury, my grip tightening around Miller's eyes, causing her to scream in pain.

“Dear, I understand...” I didn't let Granny finish her sentence.

“You don't understand what I'm going through so shut the hell up. If you can't support me, you'd better go back home and sleep.” I shot back, my voice shaky, hatred dripping from my tone.

“And you...” My body temperature rose, rage coursing through my veins. “You should pray that my daughter survives there, or else I'm going to cut your body parts into pieces and feed them to the lions in your watch. I will start from your fingers to your thumbs. Trust me, I mean it.” With so much force, I pushed her to the ground and she fell down, her back hitting the wall.

“Asher, please control your wife or else you won't like what I will do?” I turned my attention to Miller's husband, my gaze locking right into his.

“What will you do huh?” My face burned with nothing but rage. I couldn't control my emotions and only God knows what I will do if anything happens to my daughter…

“Don't you dare try to scare me with a dead snake, okay? You will not do anything to me and I'm not scared of you. Take your threats to someone who cares.” I stared right into his eyes, my words laced with rage.

“I'm sure you heard what my wife said...” Asher’s voice was calm but deadly. “This is not over; I'm yet to deal with your wife...”

The door to the operating room swung open, and a tight knot twisted in my stomach, dread setting in. I just hope and pray that my daughter is fine; this is my only prayer.