Fleeing the Nightmarish Father novel Chapter 2

She pointed towards the head nurse's office, making it clear where to go.

I didn't waste any time. I rushed over to the head nurse.

When I saw her, I called out, "Aunt Lila!"

It was Aunt Lila—Mom's old colleague.

She had visited us many times after Mom passed away.

Before she could say anything, I grabbed her arm, nearly pleading.

"Aunt Lila, please, you've got to admit my sister. She's hemorrhaging from childbirth."

"She needs surgery now!"

But Aunt Lila, usually so gentle, suddenly looked different. She pulled her arm out of my grip.

" Saafia Blooms, you actually came to our hospital? Look, just take your sister and go."

"Don't make a scene here. Your dad used to work at this hospital, a lot of people here are his colleagues."

"If you keep making trouble, your dad won't ever show his face again."

Her words hit me like a slap in the face.

It felt like everything went silent.

I could barely hear my own thoughts.

"Aunt Lila, what are you talking about? My sister is really in labor."

"If you just come outside, you'll see."

I grabbed her hand and started walking toward the door.

If she just looked at my sister for a second, she'd know I was telling the truth.

" Saafia , I've got a lot to do, I don't have time to play around with you here."

"Your dad just called me, said he's taking your aunt on a belated honeymoon."

"You and your sister didn't want them to go, so you're pulling this prank?"

Aunt Lila's voice grew stricter, her tone serious, " Saafia , I know you don't like your stepmom, but she raised both of you, and it hasn't been easy for her."

"I heard she's got depression. You can't treat her like this."

"The hospital's not the place for you two to be pulling stunts. Get your sister and go home."

I was close to breaking down listening to this.

If Dad were here, I'd be cursing him out.

I never thought he would be this ruthless.

Knowing that my sister was being transferred for surgery and needed to be admitted, he used his connections to keep us locked out.

But now wasn't the time to argue about that.

I took a deep breath and said to Aunt Lila, "Aunt Lila, you're misunderstanding."

"My sister's really in trouble. She's bleeding heavily."

Aunt Lila immediately stood up and we left the office.

In the hallway, two of the hospital staff were arguing with a patient's family.

Apparently, one of the patients had bumped into the other's arm, and it escalated into a shouting match.

Aunt Lila quickly intervened, separating them and calming everyone down before sending them back to their rooms.

Once that was settled, she walked straight towards me.

I rushed forward.

"Aunt Lila, can you admit my sister now?"

Aunt Lila raised her hand and slapped me across the face.

My cheek burned with pain, and I stared at her in disbelief.

"How could you hit me?"

"What's wrong with that?" Aunt Lila snapped.

"I'm your elder. Don't you feel ashamed, causing such a scene here?"

"Maybe that's what happens when you don't have a mother to teach you right from wrong."

"You don't have a mom to raise you…"

I'd heard that phrase so many times growing up.

But never had it stung so much.