Chapter 3

Octavia squinted, her eyes slowly adjusting her surroundings as a heavy throbbing pulsated through her head. With a groan, she fluttered her eyelids open, revealing a stark white ceiling above her. Confusion crossed her face as she struggled to comprehend her surroundings, until the familiar voice of her friend, Jade, broke through the haze.

"Oh my goodness, thank goodness you're awake," Jade said, her voice laced with relief as she approached Octavia.

As Octavia turned her gaze toward Jade, the reality of her situation began to sink in: she was in a hospital ward.

"J-Jade," she murmured, confusion evident in her voice. "What’s going on? How did I end up here? My head is pounding." With a grimace, she carefully lifted herself to a sitting position, leaning against the headboard in an attempt to gather her thoughts.

"We need to hurry, Octavia. We don't have much time," Jade insisted urgently, grasping her hand and locking eyes with her.

Octavia's brows knitted together in bewilderment as she couldn't comprehend her words. "What do you mean? What time? What’s happening? Where are we going?" She bombarded Jade with questions, her mind racing to piece together how she had ended up in the hospital.

Jade's frantic tone pulled Octavia from her thoughts. "It's Carl, Octavia. He’s about to arrest you for attempting to harm the woman carrying his child."

The weight of Jade's words hit Octavia like a thunderbolt. "What?" She exclaimed in shock.

Ignoring her reaction, Jade urged her again. "We have to leave, Octavia. You've been unconscious since last night. For all we know, he could be on his way here with the police right now. We must hurry..."

"What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything!" Octavia shot back, annoyance flashing in her eyes. A memory of the blow from Carl that had knocked her unconscious flooded her mind, prompting her to ask, "How did you find me, Jade?"

Jade hesitated, her voice thick with sympathy as she replied, "You’re fortunate you called me earlier, Octavia."

Still dazed, Octavia waited for Jade to continue.

"I found you..." Jade's voice trembled as she fought back the tears welling in her eyes. "I found you lying unconscious in a pool of blood outside Carl's mansion, last night..." She said, swallowing hard.

"What?" Octavia's heart raced, shock coursing through her.

"I’m so sorry, Octavia..."

Painful tears welled in Octavia's eyes as disbelief and despair washed over her. "That’s impossible. Carl wouldn’t do that to me..." she protested, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I’m so sorry, Octavia..."

"You’re lying, Jade. He wouldn’t betray me like that. He loves me..."

"He doesn’t, Octavia. He sees you as the murderer of his child. I’m sorry, but you need to let go... He's an asshole."

"No, no," Octavia sobbed, her heart constricting with anguish as she struggled to breathe.

Jade's tone was soft as she tried to sympathize with her. "I understand, Octavia, but we need to leave now unless you want to be jailed for a crime you didn’t commit."

"She framed me! That bitch set me up! I didn’t do it!" Octavia cried, her voice heavy with grief.

"I know, my love. It’s going to be alright," Jade said, wrapping her arms around Octavia and gently patting her back. "You’ll be okay..."

Their moment of sorrow was interrupted as Doctor Franklin, who had treated Octavia the night before, entered the room with some documents in his hand.

They broke their embrace as they noticed his presence.

"Doctor Franklin," Jade greeted, turning to him while Octavia remained silent, lost in thought, a torrent of tears still streaming down her cheeks.

"Miss Jade," he acknowledged with a nod before addressing Octavia, who still remained silent. "Miss Davis."

Octavia sniffled at the sound of her name, slowly turning her tear-streaked face toward the doctor.

"How are you feeling?" he inquired.

Octavia responded with a brief nod, her gaze dropping once again.

The doctor continued, "I’m pleased to see you’re recovering speedily. Thanks to Miss Jade, we managed to stop the bleeding before it worsened. Fortunately, your injuries didn’t affect your babies; they’re doing fine. I’ll have your medications..."

"Wait! Hold up," Jade interjected, shock evident on her face, mirrored by Octavia's sudden attention to the doctor.

"Is there a problem, Miss Jade?" Doctor Franklin asked innocently.

Octavia was left speechless as Jade took charge of the inquiry of what they had just heard. Octavia had thought she was the one who misheard initially, but seeing Jade's similar reaction had her thinking otherwise.

Jade continued. "Yes, there is, Doctor. You mentioned something about babies... what are you talking about? What did you mean by that?" She questioned with furrowed brows.

The doctor’s expression shifted to confusion as he nodded, affirming his statement. "I did. Oh, I’m sorry. I assumed you were already aware of your pregnancy..."

Jade interrupted. "Yes, we were aware she was pregnant, but it was confirmed a week ago that she had a miscarriage..."

Doctor Franklin shook his head in disbelief. "No, that’s incorrect. This young woman is still pregnant with twins..."

"Twins??" Octavia exclaimed, finally regaining her voice. She looked between bewildered Jade and the doctor. "What are you saying, Doctor? Am I really still pregnant? How is that possible?"

"If you’d like, I can arrange for a scan to confirm," he offered, seeing they wouldn't believe him.

"We would like that!" Jade replied eagerly. "Please, let’s do that right away."

"Very well then. I’ll get my assistant and be back shortly," The doctor said before exiting the room, leaving them in a whirlwind of confusion.

Once they were alone, Octavia turned to Jade, her face etched with anxiety. "What’s happening, Jade? How am I still pregnant? Could it be true?"

"I have no idea either, my love. We’ll have to wait for the doctor to explain," Jade reassured her. "Everything will be okay, Octavia. Relax."

Nodding slowly, Octavia felt her heart race as they awaited the doctor’s return. A few minutes later, he finally arrived with a nurse, and the scan was conducted immediately.

As they examined Octavia’s belly, the screen displayed two tiny figures, nestled comfortably within her.

Octavia covered her mouth in disbelief, tears streaming down her cheeks as she processed the sight of her babies.

"I hope you can see for yourself, Miss Davis. Your babies are perfectly healthy. You never had a miscarriage. Congratulations..."

Octavia sobbed quietly, her eyes glued to the screen.

"We’re still having a baby—no, babies! This is unbelievable, Octavia!" Jade exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

In stark contrast, Octavia remained silent, her mind racing as she grappled with the reality of her situation. This was a miracle. Despite everything, she was still pregnant. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she wrapped her arms around her belly, realizing this could be the key to winning back Carl’s love.