Dear Ophelia

Chapter One

"Your eyes are like the sun, so bright and so beautiful. I wish I could be around their warmth all the time."

The doctor's office was as cold as it normally was, that is to say freezing. People probably caught hypothermia whilst waiting in the bleak room. Once colourful posters adorned the walls, each detailing a part of the human body.

Ophelia could have sworn that when she breathed out small clouds came out her red nose.

Her father sat next to her, his frown scrawled on his face. He hated waiting. Her father's repetive foot taps made that obvious.

On her other side was her 'fiancé'. She used that word loosely as possible. She knew that Ivo didn't really care about her but he was only here to keep up appearances.

His normally silver hair was a dull grey in the low light, a splattering of freckles perfectly placed on his face. Even his jaw ticks and the clenching of his fists made him seem more perfect.

"Wow, crush much?" Ophelia sighed inwardly.

Everyone knew that this 'engagement' was an open relationship. Ivo had played with many other girls.

It hurt her more than she wanted to acknowledge.

One other thing everyone knew, she was irrevocably in love with Ivo. And he did not love her back.

Ophelia's inner monologue was cut short with the door being flung open. The twenty-something man quickly strode over to the trio. This was the guy who had been handing her bad news her whole life; Dr Halburn.

"I'm so sorry I'm late. A emergency operation ran late." He huffed out. Sitting down, he rifled through his cabinet and took out her file. The file was nothing more than a pile of coloured paper filled with every injury her body sustained in her 16 years of being alive.

Scanning the top page, he furrowed his eyebrows and worry clouded his light blue eyes.

"Come on doc, what wrong with me this time?" Ophelia chuckled, hiding her nervousness behind a bright grin.

"Maybe it would be best to just say this to you and your father." The young doctor cautioned, glancing at Ivo.

At this Ivo sat up and looked over at Ophelia's father.

The older man shook his head. "No, he needs to know."

The Halburn nodded. "Ophelia's Takotsubo cardiomyopathy that was brought on by stress of losing her mother has now been fixed. She still has to be careful because of her genetic atrial fibrillation."

Ophelia smiled. "Wooh! Father, see I told you I was fine!" She hugged him tightly, making him relax a little. She let the grip on the on the note lessen.

Even Ivo had a small grin playing on his lips.

The doctor looked slightly uncomfortable. "Unfortunately, there's more."

The girl let go of her father's shoulders and gripped his hand, her body filling with fear.

"Ophelia has heart cancer, caused by lung cancer due to metastasis - the tumour cells are carried in the by the blood to the heart. We caught it pretty late. The tumor is malignant. We would like to try to treat it but she will need a lung and heart transplant. I am sorry."

"What the fuck?" Ivo gasped.

Ophelia gripped her dad's hand tighter. Her face went pale and she could hear every strained breath she made.

"But... you said I was better." She murmured, her brown hair hid her scared face. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head and looked at the young man.

"There's still a chance right?" She breathed. "For me to have a normal life?"

Dr Halburn gave her a tight lipped smile. "Of course."

She nodded, happy with the respose. She forced the tears back and smiled. "I guess I'll be seeing more often."

The doctor chuckled. "Yes."

"Vo, you'll drop me off at every appointment, right?" Ophelia asked, making sure every word was filled with sunshine.

"Sure." Ivo mumbled, not looking her in the eye.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Ophelia looked over at her father. He had yet to say anything. "Dad? I think we should go on that cruise soon. I don't think I can wait till next year." She tried to make it sound casual but everyone could hear the underlying message.

"Yes, honey. I'll move it to your next break." He forced out, making himself look at his daughter's bright eyes.

"I'll contact you about treatment, but for now take it easy." The doctor said.

"Can I still go to school?" Ophelia asked.

"For now. But if your situation progresses, we might need to reevaluate."

She nodded and stood up. "Thanks doc. I'll probably see you soon."

As soon as they exited the room, she stopped the two males.

"Please don't tell anyone. It was hard enough with the stupid broken heart thing, I just want normality." Her lips quivered slightly.

Ivo and her father nodded solemnly.