Broken

Chapter 2

Hugh checked over and over again. He wasn't imagining this. There was a faint beating on Olivia's wrist. It was faint, but it was there.

He sat next to her, completely still, not knowing what to do with the broken woman in front of him. The broken woman he loved so much. Her head was still bleeding, the red liquid trickling down her forehead and into her hairline. He pulled her closer to his chest and took a deep breath, smelling her floral perfume and coconut shampoo. He kissed her head, in between her eyebrows, where they always kiss their children. It makes them feel safe, all of them, together. She was paler than normal, her skin was fair normally but now she was white like a sheet, the blood completely drained from her face and onto the floor below her. He felt his heart heartbreak at the sight of his beloved, his beautiful Olivia. A broken woman.

"I'll save you, Olivia. I promise you. You're not going to die Liv."

His speech was no more than a whisper, no more than a subtle few words as he looked at his broken wife. He knew that staring at her wasn't practical at this very moment he couldn't do anything but. Hugh had never seen his wife in such a state. Olivia was covered in cuts, scrapes and bruises, she was damaged goods at this very moment in time and Hugh still loved her exactly the same. Never was their relationship based on physical attraction, Hugh fell in love with her heart, her kindness and her inner beauty. So seeing her as a broken woman didn't make any less lovable to Hugh. The only thought crossing his mind was concern, concern for the woman he fell in love with every day. After holding her for what felt like an eternity, he finally settled her body down once again. Never wanting to let her go but knowing that at this moment she needed more than for him to hold her and confess his undying love. Olivia needed his help now more than ever. She needed the support of her Hugh and she needed medical attention.

He searched his pockets for his phone, finally finding it in his jacket. He grasped the device with shaky hands, his fingers not staying still for a second. As he dialled the numbers he needed most, 911. The ringing was infinite to Hugh but in reality, only a mere few seconds had passed before a voice bellowed down the end of the phone.

"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me? Are you hurt?"

A woman's voice came down the phone, she was younger than Olivia. A lot younger. Maybe early twenties. Her voice was laced with concern when Hugh was nothing but silent. Hugh looked at his wife once more, still bleeding, still hurting, still dying.

"Yes, uh, yes yes, it's not me, it's my wife. Olivia. She's hurt. She's bleeding. There's blood everywhere. She needs your help. I'm so sorry. I was meant to protect her. I'm so sorry. God, i'm so sorry." Hugh started crying, tears pouring down his face once more. As the tears rolled down his face he heard the woman on the other end of the line gently sigh.

"Okay, Sir. We're going to help your wife. Just so you know my names, Claire". Claire's words were soft, full of understanding and sympathy. "Can you provide me with your address Sir? So I can get an ambulance to your wife as soon as possible." Claire's words were reassuring but Hugh still felt sick to his stomach.

"Yes. It's Hill House, Hill Street, Atlanta. Please hurry. I can't lose her. I can't tell my babies they've lost their Mom. I can't lose her. Please hurry" Hugh begged Claire. Hugh never begged, but now he was begging. He was begging that this stranger would help his dying wife, he just needed to beg enough to save her. To save his Liv.

"Okay, Sir, the ambulance is on their way. Keep strong for her." Claire's voice was no more than a whisper now, she knew that she needed to be calm for Hugh. For the man who could be losing his wife in a matter of minutes. For the man whose heart was breaking as she spoke to him.

With Claire still on the phone, Hugh dropped the device beside Olivia. He looked at his wife once more. "You'll be okay baby, I'm going to make sure you're okay. You're going to watch our babies grow up by my side. We're going to grow old together Liv, you won't die. I'm first Liv. I've always been first. If anyone goes it has to be me, I can't do this without you, Olivia. I can't do this. I can't raise our children alone. Please stay with me. Please hold on. They're coming to Liv, they're on the way to help you. Stay with me, Olivia".