Emma

The long hours in the hospital was brutal, especially for Henry. The doctor did not leave my side for over two hours. I personally hate doctors, they always get more money in their pockets when there's something wrong with you. Plus, Henry jumps every time the doctor frowns when he continues to look over the my x–ray.

The doctor looked over the stack of papers on the clip board. "Well, Miss Swan our business here is finished. But I must ask you just a few questions and prescribe you something to reduce the swelling for your stomach."

I nodded. 'I'l l do anything. JUST TAKE ME HOME!'

The doctor removed his spectacles, and placed it in his left breast pocket. "Would you be so kind to tell me what you ate from the following day?"

I sat up a little straight. "Um, well the usual I guess. I always eat the leftovers I pack from the diner. But um...I sometimes stick with gum and just let the sugar fill me up. It works like a charm."

The doctor nodded. "Do you ever eat when you return home from work?"

"Of course." Not. Like I'm ever going to say that in front of my son. There's always risks to accept being in a position where I am; a mother, a waitress, a maid, a hypocrite.'

The doctor lowered his clip board. "Alright that would be all. Henry, how about you go and buy something to eat with Jimmy."

Henry nodded, he got up from the chair and left with Jimmy. The doctor came up to me a little closer. "Miss Swan, please tell me exactly what you ate from the following day. I could tell you are unable to tell me the truth due to your son's presence. But please let that slide and tell me. It's the only way I can help you."

"Alright."

"But before you do, tell me why you can't eat some other times."

I lowered my head. I'm just speechless, unable to say another word. I am fully aware that this is a doctor I'm talking to, but he's also going to be involved and look at the challenges I have been trying to cover for years. "...I do eat in the morning with Henry, if he is awake. But I eat sometimes if my stomach is in a mood. My stomach started hurting a few months ago...I let it all out of my system when I can't take it anymore..."

I don't know if its just nerves, or its too awkward to tell my condition to a total stranger, but tears immediately started to fall.

The doctor placed a hand on my shoulder. "Miss Swan, I assure you I will do everything I can to stop the aching of your stomach. The only thing that caused this condition is a lack of rest. Do you over work? I don't mean to be rude, but I could see the discoloration of your naked eyes and the black spots beneath them, there's still some sign of recovered bruises, and it seems like you are suffering from muscle weakness."

I brushed away the tears quickly. "...I do over work. I do admit I work 24/7."

"How many hours do you sleep?"

"Honestly, two to three hours...I'm able to keep my head up from chewing a few pieces of gum."

The doctor took a seat beside me. "Miss Swan, I will prescribe you some antibiotics to help your stomach. But I strongly advise you to reduce your hours of labor and get some rest."

"You don't understand, I really cannot -"

The doctor lifted his hand to silence me. "Before you say you can't, you must understand how this affects you and your son. If you don't take care of yourself, it is a close chance you can die. This is not just an opinion or a theory. You can die. Right now, you are unable to digest your food properly and your bones will be fragile due to a eating disorder."

"I'm aware of that, doctor. But Henry is all I got, and I got something planned for us. I just need a little more time to go through this."

~ Jimmy took me and Henry home in a cab. Henry leaned against my shoulder and fell asleep.

"Make sure you take your prescription each and every day."

I nodded. "I will. I already discussed that with the doctor."

Jimmy removed his huge owl eyes spectacles. "Emma, I don't know the experience of what you go through everyday. However, I see you and your problems very visibly. You must start taking care of yourself for now, and think about getting another job."

"Jimmy that's not possible, I am capable of handling my health and my son."

Jimmy shook his head instantly. "Stop lying to me, Emma. It's okay to say that you need help. Right now you need someone to balance your problems. Fortunately, I'm the who could do that for you."

As much as I like Jimmy in person, I need him to butt him out or my plans will be ruined. My relationship with both Killian and Jefferson are already reaching to the next level. I can't let anything, including anyone to get in my way to block my opportunity to save my son's future.

"Jimmy...I hate to say this, but I can't hold it in anymore. I don't need your help. Regardless of the blood and sweat I shed every day, I will risk all of it with no help. I know you understand others' situations, but you are really tempting me to shut you up in a heartbeat. Thank you for helping me and son. Then again, I can't thank you for trying to be involved in my personal life."

Jimmy opened his lips to speak. But I spoke quickly in time. "Driver, stop the car."

The driver pulled over by the nearby subway. Jimmy grabbed my arm to protest. "Emma, please."

I ignored him, and lowered my eyes on Henry as I unbuckled his seat belt. Henry groaned when I lifted him up to my arms. Jimmy got out of the car as I stepped outside. I just walked away without turning my head to say goodbye. Thankfully, Jimmy didn't follow me. I feel terribly guilty of how I treated him. But at the same time, the only way for the two of us to live is to block all stops on our way...But it just seems to get more difficult to hide my secrets from Jefferson and Killian.