3

I slowly opened my eyes groggily to find myself in a hospital bed, surrounded by the beeping of machines and the sterile smell of antiseptic. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, forcing me to lie back down.

Panic set in as u realized I was alone in the room.I tried to call out for help but my voice was hoarse and barely audible. I was desperate to get someone's attention but my body felt heavy and unresponsive.

Then suddenly as I was about loosing all hope of seeing any company, I noticed Jared and Victoria standing outside my room and talking in hushed tones.

I felt a surge of anger and hurt but I tried to remain calm, listening in on their conversation.

"Be patient, Victoria," Jared said, his voice low. "I've already prepared the divorce papers. Once Esmeralda has her premature stillbirth, we can move forward with our plans."

I felt like I'd been punched again in the gut. Premature stillbirth? Divorce papers? I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I stared instinctively at my belly to confirm if the bump was still there. There were no pains except from the occasional Braxton Hicks contractions.

Victoria's voice was barely audible, but I caught a few words. "I don't know, Jared...I'm scared...what if she finds out?"

Jared's response was reassuring. "Don't worry, Victoria. I've got everything under control. Esmeralda will never suspect a thing. And even if she does, what would she be able to do? She'll agree with every of my decisions because she's too scared of being alone"

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, and I turned away, unable to listen anymore.

"Just be patient with me Victoria. I will divorce her and wed you soon" his voice continued to assure her.

" I'm not sure. What if you don't want to do so anymore?" Victoria's doubting voice came next.

"Why do you think that would be possible? She's old and not sexy. She smells sweaty all the time too. Do you think her body even arouses me anymore? She looks as if she's fit to be my mother as it stands"

" But you're still married to her and even got her pregnant"

I couldn't take what I was hearing anymore and forced myself to stand up from the bed I laid on even though the pain I felt as I did so hurt like hell.

I took off the monitor that had been connected to my fingers and was ready to make my way out of the room before I felt a sharp pain on my legs. The were shaking and unable to carry the weight of my body.

I thought it was because of the new reality I was finding hard to believe and settle in but alas it was not, I was helpless and couldn't stop it as my legs gave way beneath me and I fell to the floor with a scream.

The sound of my scream attracted the attention of the hospital staff and soon, nurses and doctors came rushing into my room. That was all I could recall before I felt as if I was loosing my consciousness.

"Code blue!!" I had heard one of the nurses shout. "We need to get her back to bed! Stat!"

I felt a rush of activity around me as the medical staff scrambled to respond to my emergency. I was lifted back and unto my bed and oxygen was administered to me.

The lady I supposed to be my obstetrician rushed into the room with worry laced all over her voice.

"Esmeralda, can you hear me?" Her tone sounded so concerned and she rigorously shaked my shoulder.

I tried to respond but there were no words that escaped my lips. Even my eyes could not open for me to give her a response using the movement of my eyelids.

I could feel and hear things around me but I noticed that I could not move my body freely or easily like I usually do.

"We need to get her into surgery, now" I heard the voice instruct. "We can't delay any longer"

"I need to speak with you about your wife's condition. She's experiencing severe complications due to the fall she had earlier sir"

" What kind of complications?" I heard Jared's voice loud and clear.

They were discussing my condition and the risks associated with my pregnancy.

"The fall caused a placental abruption which means the placenta has separated from the uterus. This is reducing blood flow and oxygen to the baby"

" We're doing everything we can, but the baby is experiencing fetal distress. We need to deliver the baby immediately via emergency cesarean section"

My heart ached as I heard her say that. Was I going to lose my baby? Was he going to be the tenth stillbirth I'll have in the twelfth year of my marriage?

I felt tears rolling down my eyes but I couldn't even lift my fingers to clean them. They rolled freely and I doubt anyone noticed.

"I don't know...I don't want her to have surgery. I want my child to be born naturally. My mother did so with me too" Jared's voice came with the unmistakeable lack of empathy nor emotions.

I couldn't believe my ears when I heard him mutter those words. Didn't he hear the doctor say that I needed an emergency caesarean section? Why was he being adamant and insisting I gave birth naturally?

"As your wife's doctor, I strongly advise you to consent to the emergency cesarean section. We need to act now to save both your wife's and the baby's lives" the doctor's voice continued trying to persuade him.

"I'm telling you, Doctor, she's fine," Jared said, and his voice was firm and calm. "She just needs to push the baby out naturally. Nothing will go wrong"

"Your wife's condition is critical sir .She's experiencing severe preeclampsia, and the baby is in distress. We need to perform an emergency cesarean section to ensure the safety of both your wife and the baby."

Jared crossed his arms, his face set in a stubborn expression. "I refuse to sign the papers. She's going to be fine. No child of mine will be born through a C-section."

"Mr. Jared, I understand that you're concerned about your beliefs, but refusing to sign the papers for a cesarean section is putting both your wife's and the baby's lives at risk. We're talking about a potentially life-threatening situation here."

I could tell it was the Doctor's last time trying to persuade him to give his consent for the surgery, and she had met with a rejection this time as well.

I wanted to speak. To open my eyes and give my permission for her to perform the surgery but nothing, I could feel none of my organs responding and couldn't even call the attention of the staff to my plight.

The medical staff tried to reason with him, explaining the risks of not having a C-section, but Jared was still adamant.

"She'll be fine," he had replied them. "She just needs to push the baby out naturally."

His words cut deep into my heart, tilting at the axis. I never knew he was like this. I never knew one day he would be like this.