Sometimes, when people do not want to dwell on painful memories, they choose to block the miserable past from their memories. And that was the case with Molly. She had finally realized that love was a game of torture and those who loved their partners more than themselves would lose the game.
The sun was shining down on Burano Island, and the water around was sparkling like diamonds. Palm trees stirred in the soft Pacific breeze. The melodious violin and the cozy weather were so intoxicating that Molly sat on a cane chair, laid her hands on her swollen belly and stared at Spark.
Spark was standing in front of Molly and playing classical songs on his violin. Her eyes were feeling heavy after a while, so she closed them slowly and listened to the beautiful music.
All of a sudden, a man's figure came into her mind. She couldn't see his face. He had a violin case in one hand and held her hand with the other. They were in a park together. She was sitting on a bench, while he was playing the violin in front of her.
Molly's lips curled upwards. On seeing her smile, Spark also flashed his row of perfect teeth. He loved to see Molly smile, even though he knew that she wasn't smiling because of him.
Spark looked away and continued to play the tune — The Summer Breeze. But soon, the pictures in Molly's mind changed. In a world of ice and snow, a man grabbed her hand, but she could hardly breathe this time.
Molly breathed rapidly, clenching her fists. She shook her head in an attempt to shake away the unpleasant pictures, but failed.
She struggled hard to free herself, but the man held her more tightly. She was so scared that she wanted to run away from him, but he said in a low, cold voice, "Molly Xia, you can't just intrude into my life and then leave as you please."
Molly's face paled. The man was approaching closer. He said in a fierce tone, "Don't ever try to leave me, not in this life! Molly Xia, I won't let you leave. You'd better listen to me.
You'll stay here all your life.
I won't allow you to leave.
Ever!"
Molly trembled, not able to recognize the man. "Don't! Go away! Don't!" she yelled.
"Mol? Mol? Wake up, Mol! Are you okay?"
Molly heard Spark's anxious voice, and she quickly opened her eyes. Before she could say anything, she was gripped by a sharp pain in her abdomen. Her face twitched, and she had no time to think about the man in her dream.
"Ouch! That hurts!" Molly cried, covering her belly with both her hands.
Startled, Spark asked, "What's going on? Where does it hurt? Mol? Where?"
"Ughhh!"
Molly cried out in pain and she looked miserable. Something warm flowed down her legs.
"Oh my god! She's in labor!" Manny yelled hysterically as he rushed towards them after hearing her cries.
Throwing away his violin, Spark picked Molly up and ran towards the hospital on the island, which was not too far from them.
"Argh! It hurts... I can't do this." She yelled as sweat dribbled down her face. Her eyes became empty as she heard the man's voice in her mind again. 'You will never be able to leave!' She was suffering from both physical and mental torture.
Spark, on the one hand, wanted to rush to the hospital as fast as he could. On the other hand, he was afraid that he would hurt Molly if he ran too fast. By the time they arrived at the hospital, his shirt was soaked in sweat and he was gasping for air. The staff swiftly put Molly on a stretcher and pushed it towards the delivery room.
Spark followed them, but was stopped at the entrance of the labor room. "I'm sorry, Sir. You are not allowed to enter the delivery room," a nurse said and then entered the delivery room with the other assistants.
The door was shut on Spark's face. Staring at the door, he clenched his fists with a worried expression on his face.
Manny had an oversized body and he looked more exhausted than Spark. "Spark, Molly is gonna be okay, right? I mean, she cares so much about her baby. They are both gonna be safe for sure!" Manny convinced himself.
Spark cast a glance at Manny and nodded. But deep inside, he was still worried about her.
Time passed slowly. Manny and Spark had never witnessed a delivery before and didn't know anything about it. Their faces soured at the heart-wrenching cries coming from within the room from time to time, which hit them like sharp knives ripping into their souls.
Spark's heart broke into pieces every time he heard her cry. He checked his watch for the umpteenth time. Half an hour! An hour! Two hours! Three hours...
Spark waited for her delivery news, restless as an ant on a hot pan. "Manny, why isn't she out yet?" he asked.
"Well..." Another scream came from within the room and Manny's face convulsed. "She'll be okay! Believe me!"
Spark was too nervous to hear what Manny was saying. He was desperate to know what was going on inside the delivery room, but the door was shut. After a while, a nurse came out, and Spark immediately stopped her and asked, "May I enter the delivery room?"
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