The door opened with a click. Laura slowly looked up. Gordon walked in holding a file. His steps were calm. The cold look on his face made Laura grip the blanket on her lap tightly.
For a moment Laura and Gordon didn't speak. The silence between them felt heavy.
Gordon stopped in front of Laura's bed. Pulled out some papers. The sound of the papers seemed sharp in the room. He held them out to Laura.
"Here are the divorce papers, " Gordon said in a voice. "Sign them. Our marriage ends today."
Laura looked at the papers. Her face stayed still. Inside something twisted. This was it. The end. Three years of marriage to Gordon.
Laura's hand moved slowly as she took the papers from Gordon. Her fingers brushed him for a second. She pulled away quickly.
Gordon watched Laura closely. His jaw tightened. "It's not too late to change your mind, " he said.
Laura's eyes met Gordon's. His voice dropped lower. "Won't you regret it?"
For one second the room was quiet. Laura could hear a machine beeping outside. Then a bitter smile touched her lips.
"Regret?" Laura repeated softly. She looked down at the papers. Laughed coldly.
"The only thing I regret is these three years of marriage to you Gordon."
Laura's fingers crumpled the edge of the document. "It was a nightmare with you Gordon."
Laura's eyes turned red. She forced back tears. "I'm just glad it's finally over, " she said about her marriage to Gordon.
The words hung in the air. Gordon's face darkened. His eyes narrowed.
Not this time. Not anymore.
Gordon took a step closer to Laura. "Then stick to your promise " he said coldly.
Laura's back stiffened. She placed the papers on the bed beside her. Lifted her chin. "I will, " she said to Gordon.
Her voice was calm. Her hands trembled. She looked at Gordon for a moment. When she spoke again her voice turned softer.
"Gordon..." she said. Gordon said nothing. Laura swallowed hard. "I'm grateful, " she said to Gordon.
The words surprised Gordon. His brows pulled together. Laura's eyes dropped to her hands.
"Three years ago... You saved my life " Laura said, a memory flashing through her mind. "After we got married I loved you very much. I really did."
Laura's lips trembled. "I tried to be a good wife to you. I endured everything. Your coldness. Your cruelty. Your silence."
Laura's eyes lifted to Gordon again. "Now..." Her hand moved to touch her eyes. A tear ran down her cheek.
"I am going to give my corneas to Allison, " Laura said, her voice breaking. After that "I am done with you."
Laura took a breath, her chest rising unevenly. "I want nothing to do with you anymore, " she said to Gordon.
The room fell silent. Gordon stood frozen. Laura's words seemed to hit him
Gordon's fingers curled into fists. His eyes stayed on Laura's face. Laura looked back at him. It was different now.
No pleading. No softness. No desperate love. Only distance.
Inside something in Gordon tightened. Laura had turned her back on him.
The reflection hit Gordon stronger than he thought I would be.
Laura took up the pen from the side of the table. Without another word she signed the papers.
Her handwriting shook. The final stroke of her name felt like cutting the thread tying her and Gordon together.
Laura placed the papers back in Gordon's hands. "It's over, " she said to Gordon.
Gordon watched at the signature. His chest felt heavy somehow. His face remained cold.
Without another word Gordon walked out. The door shut behind him.
Laura stared at it for a time. Then her shoulders dropped. Her body trembled silently as the tears flowed down her cheeks.
This time they were tears of release.
At that time in another part of the city the door to an office burst open.
Paul walked in quickly, breathing hard. Nickson looked up sharply from behind his desk.
"Well?" Nickson asked, standing up fast.
Paul nodded. "We found her, " he said.
Nickson's whole body froze. His fingers pressing firmly against the corner of the table.
Paul proceeded, "The lady who we have been looking for. Her full name is Laura Miller."
Nickson's breathing turned shallow. For a moment something flashed across his face. Shock. Relief. Fear.
"She's in the hospital now, " Paul added.
Nickson grabbed his coat immediately. "Cancel all my meetings, " he said.
His voice was sharp and urgent. Paul nodded quickly. Nickson was already moving toward the door.
"We're going to the hospital, " Nickson said.
Back at the hospital the doctor stepped into Laura's room.
Laura had changed into a blue surgery gown. The thin fabric made her feel cold. Exposed.
The doctor checked the chart in his hands. "Please wait in the surgery room while we prepare everything, Mrs. Miller, " he said.
Laura's face changed instantly. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the bed. She looked up at the doctor.
" You can call me Laura, " she said.
The doctor blinked. Laura held his gaze. "Not Miss Miller, " she said.
The words carried pain. The doctor nodded. "Alright Laura " he said.
The doctor gestured toward the room ahead. A nurse helped Laura into the surgery waiting room.
The room was small and painfully white. White walls. White lights. White sheets. It made Laura's heart beat faster.
The nurse left after helping Laura sit down. The door clicked shut. Laura sat alone on the bed.
Her hands lay on her lap trembling badly. Her breathing grew uneven. Soon. Everything would be soon.
Laura closed her eyes for a moment trying to relax the storm inside her burning chest. Then…
The door suddenly opened. Laura's eyes opened with a rush. A tall man wearing in black walked inside.
Laura's body froze at the same time. She had never seen him before. The man's face was tough and did not have any expression.
Laura's fingers grabbed the bed sheet. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice trembled.
The man did not say anything. He took a step toward Laura. Fear shot through her body like ice.
Laura quickly pushed herself off the bed. "Help!" she yelled.
Laura ran toward the door. The man held her arm roughly. Laura cried out. She tried to get off him, using all her energy.
"Leave me alone!" Laura said. Her nails were scratching into the man's skin as she tried to pull out.
For one moment Laura broke free. She stumbled toward the door, her bare feet slapping hard against the floor.
Her hand reached for the handle… The door suddenly burst open. Two more men stepped inside.
Laura froze. Her face turned pale. No. No, no no. Her breathing became wild.
Laura turned to run. One of the men lunged forward. His hand clamped around her shoulder.
Laura screamed again. "Help me! Somebody help me!" Her voice cracked with terror.
The first man grabbed both Laura's wrists. He pinned them painfully behind her back. Laura struggled wildly.
Laura's body twisted. Her legs kicked. Her tears swirled in her vision. "Let me go!" she cried.
One of the men's faces angried with frustration. "I told you to shut up, " he said.
Before Laura could react… The man lifted his leg. He kicked Laura hard in the stomach.
A painful cry came from Laura's throat. Pain fumed through her body. Laura's eyes widely opened.
The force threw Laura backward. Her body shut down as she struggled to breathe for air, both hands moving quickly to her stomach.
She was seeing the room rotating. Laura's knees were on the floor hitting hard. Her breath refused to come.
Laura's mouth was open. She did not even make a single sound.
Laura's whole body started to tremble.
The men walked closer to Laura.
Laura lay there feeling helpless.
She looked at the men.
Laura cried hard that everything was a blur.
The fear and pain that Laura felt defined her.