CHAPTER 6

The sound of the echocardiogram machine filled the hospital room, rhythmic beeps punctuating the heavy silence. Daphne struggled to open her eyes, her eyelids feeling impossibly heavy. As she blinked, the bright light streaming through the hospital's windows assaulted her senses, making her wince. Everything felt surreal,her body was sore, her mind disoriented, and the sterile smell of antiseptic stung her nose.

Slowly, the memories of the night before came flooding back,the fight with Leo, being thrown out, the pain in her stomach. Panic seized her chest, and her hand instinctively flew to her belly. Her fingers pressed against the soft curve, desperate for some sign, some reassurance.

A voice broke through her confusion. "You're awake," a calm but concerned voice said from beside her. Daphne turned her head slowly, squinting through the harsh light to see a nurse standing at her bedside, clipboard in hand. "You've been through quite an ordeal."

Her heart raced. “My baby,” Daphne whispered, her voice hoarse and trembling. “Is my baby okay?”

The nurse hesitated, her expression softening with empathy. “The doctor will be in to talk to you soon, but for now, try to stay calm. You’re in good hands.” She reached out and gently adjusted Daphne's IV, giving  a weak but reassuring smile.

Daphne's breath caught in her throat as tears welled in her eyes. She was tired—tired of the pain, the fear, the constant uncertainty that seemed to shadow every corner of her life. Staring up at the hospital ceiling, her thoughts drifted to how it had all unravelled so quickly. She had never imagined this for herself being trapped in a cycle of abuse, hiding her exhaustion behind forced smiles, and now lying in a hospital bed, uncertain of her baby’s fate.

A hollow feeling settled in her chest as she thought of everything she had sacrificed. Her freedom. Her dreams. The peace she once had before Leo. But now, it wasn’t just about her anymore. She wasn’t just fighting for herself; she was fighting for her child, the life growing inside her. **Was it worth it to keep holding on?**

The ceiling above blurred as her eyes filled with tears again, but this time, a spark of something different flickered within her resolve. She had been broken down before, but this was different. This time, she wasn’t going to let the pain swallow her whole, not again. She couldn't let Leo's grip on her life continue to suffocate her future .

Her hand rested on her belly, a silent promise to the little one she carried. **For you, I will find a way out.**

She heard a knock on the door and her thoughts disappeared for a while. It was the doctor “Good morning, how do you feel today?”, “Much better doctor” Daphne replied.” you are lucky to be here, your situation as at yesterday was nothing to write home about, it appears you have Hypoglycemia which was what made you collapse but luckily you were brought in on time” the doctor said.

“But who brought me in?” Daphne asked in a state of confusion. “Well, that is not to be disclosed as he or she insisted on keeping them anonymous.” Anonymous?" she repeated, her brow creasing in confusion. "I don't understand."

The doctor offered a sympathetic smile, his voice steady but kind. "Whoever brought you in did so just in time. Your blood sugar levels were dangerously low, and hypoglycemia can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy. You're fortunate they found you when they did."

Daphne nodded slowly, trying to make sense of it all. Hypoglycemia,it explained the weakness, the dizziness, and why she had passed out. But the idea of someone finding her and helping her when she was most vulnerable unsettled her.

Her thoughts drifted back to Leo, to the anger and violence she had faced just before everything went black. It couldn’t have been him, she thought with a bitter edge. He wouldn't have helped her. If anything, he would've left her there.

“Well, you’re stable now," the doctor continued, his voice calm and reassuring. "We’ll give you some medications to help regulate your blood sugar levels and prevent any future episodes during the rest of your pregnancy. It’s important to monitor your diet and make sure you’re getting enough nutrients. But for now, try to get some rest. You’ve been through a lot, and we’ll have you discharged by this evening if everything continues to look good.”

Daphne felt a weight lift off her shoulders. The fear that had gripped her since waking up eased a little. "Thank you so much, doctor," she said, her voice soft but filled with gratitude. The words barely seemed enough to convey the immense relief she felt.

The doctor smiled warmly, giving her a slight nod. “Take care of yourself. You’re going to be just fine, and so is your baby.” He turned toward the door, the steady rhythm of his footsteps easing her nerves a little more. As he reached the door, it creaked open softly, the sound breaking the stillness of the room.

Daphne watched him leave, the gentle click of the door closing behind him echoing in the quiet. She let out a deep breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, sinking back into the hospital bed, her body still heavy with exhaustion. For a moment, the sterile smell of the room, the beeping machines, and the weight of her thoughts faded into the background. All she could focus on was the knowledge that she and her baby were safe for now.

But as the silence settled in again, her thoughts returned to the mystery that gnawed at her. **Who brought me here?** The idea of someone finding her in the middle of such chaos, in her darkest moment, stirred an unsettling mix of gratitude and confusion. She couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn’t Leo.If anything, he was the reason she had ended up like this in the first place.

Daphne’s gaze drifted toward the window, the sunlight streaming through the blinds casting long shadows across the room. The question circled in her mind over and over: **Who had saved her? And why did they want to stay anonymous?**

Tired as she was, sleep felt impossible now. Something had changed, and she could sense it. Today, lying in this hospital bed, she knew she had to make a decision,not just about her health or her pregnancy, but about her life. She couldn’t keep going the way she had been, trapped in a cycle of fear and pain. This moment, as terrifying as it was, had opened her eyes. She needed to take control. For herself. For her baby.

Engrossed in her thoughts, she became unaware of her surroundings, her mind wandering far from the present moment. Slowly, without even noticing, her eyelids grew heavy, and before she realised it, she had slipped into the quiet embrace of sleep.

By the time evening had fallen, Daphne was already up, moving around her room with a sense of quiet determination. The day had slipped by, and now she focused on the task of preparing for her discharge, carefully gathering her belongings and making sure everything was in order before she could finally leave the hospital behind. Each movement carried a mix of relief and nervousness.

She had hoped that Leo wouldn’t be at home, she couldn’t deal with whatever drama he would try to bring up.Daphne was finally ready she grabbed her bag and headed towards the exit and slowly closed the door behind her.

“Ready to go huh” It was the nurse that had attended to her earlier.” Oh yes I am”. “Alright then, you take care of yourself” she said with a smile on her face.”thank you” Daphne said as she passed through the reception and made her way towards the exit.

As Daphne stood outside the hospital doors, the cool evening air wrapped around her, refreshing after the sterile chill of the hospital room. The bright lights from the entrance cast a glow on her face, but beyond that halo of light, the world felt dark and uncertain. She took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill her lungs, grounding herself as she prepared to step back into her life.

Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. There was a calm resolve in her now, a quiet strength that had been missing for so long. Daphne knew that going back meant facing Leo, facing the memories and fears she’d carried for too long. 

Daphne raised her arm to wave down the taxi that had just let out a passenger. The cab slowed to a stop in front of her, its engine humming softly in the quiet evening. She leaned forward, her hand on her lower back for support as she carefully opened the back door. Gently, she lowered herself into the seat, one hand resting protectively over her belly.

As she settled in, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of relief and nervous anticipation. This simple action—getting into a cab alone—felt like the first taste of freedom she’d allowed herself in a long time. She gave the driver her address, her voice barely above a whisper as she realized the weight of where she was headed.

Her fingers brushed over her belly absentmindedly, grounding herself as the cab pulled away from the hospital. The streetlights streaked past the window, illuminating her face in flashes as she stared into the distance, her mind running over the life she was about to return to.

She finally arrived at her destination, Daphne slowly got off from the cab and paid the driver “Thank you she said while handing him the money”. “Here goes nothing," she said in a low tone that no one could have heard. She got to her door step, memories of last night kept flooding her mind but she tried to brush it off at least till she got through the door.

Daphne knocked softly, her heart beating faster with each second of silence. She knew better than to be too loud; any misstep around Leo could set him off. But as the quiet lingered, she felt a twinge of confusion as there was no response 

She reached out, twisting the doorknob, only to find it locked. Surprised, she took a step back, clutching her bag as she sifted through its contents, searching for her keys. Her fingers grazed over her phone, wallet, and a few crumpled receipts before finally closing around the cool metal of her keychain. 

As she slid the key into the lock, a strange feeling washed over her. She hesitated for a moment, staring at the door, wondering if this was a sign. She proceeded to twist the keys and the door clicked open. Daphne heaved a sigh of relief.

She walked into the house and made sure to lock the door behind her. It had been quite a day as she headed into the room and began to undress—she has not had a change of clothes since yesterday which made her feel quite uncomfortable.

Daphne stepped into the shower and hung her towel nearby, her fingers lingering on the fabric for a moment before she let it go. She reached up, releasing her long hair from its clip, letting it cascade down her shoulders and back. As she turned on the water, a stream of warmth enveloped her, easing away the stiffness and tension that had settled into her muscles.

Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to surrender to the sensation of the water as it flowed down her skin, washing away the remnants of the hospital stay, the lingering ache from that night’s turmoil, and the anxiety she’d carried for so long. Here, beneath the gentle cascade, she felt a rare moment of peace.

For a few brief minutes, she allowed herself to feel weightless, free of the constant worry, free of Leo'sshadow over her life. She pressed her hand to her belly, a soft smile tugging at her lips. **This was her moment, her sanctuary.** And she knew she needed more moments like this, for both herself and the little one who would soon be here. 

As she stood there, breathing deeply, Daphne felt a renewed determination well up within her.