CHAPTER 006

AVA'S POV

I regained consciousness in a hospital bed feeling dazed and confused.

The room was well-lit, and the clean scent of disinfectant overwhelmed my senses, almost suffocating me.

My pulse quickened as the accident flashed back into my memory, vivid and harsh.

The baby was my first concern.

Fear took hold of me as I touched my belly, dreading the worst.

“Hey, easy there,” came a familiar voice breaking through my racing thoughts.

It was Sally sitting beside my bed. Her presence gave me a bit of comfort, but I got more anxious when I remembered I hadn't told her about my pregnancy.

The weight of keeping this secret felt like a big rock was stuck in my throat.

She saw the fear in my eyes and helped me lie back down on the bed, putting her hand on my arm.

“Don't worry. The baby is fine," she said in a calm and reassuring voice, but I could tell she was worried too.

Her words brought me relief but also made me feel guilty. I hadn't planned to reveal my pregnancy like this to her, especially not under such dire circumstances.

Sally looked at me, concern etched on her face, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Why didn't you let me know you were pregnant?" she asked softly, her voice laced with a mix of hurt and confusion.

I gulped, feeling the weight of my hidden truth pressing down on me.

"I didn't want to burden anyone, I thought I could manage myself, and… I wasn't sure if the baby would make it," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper as I averted my gaze, unable to meet her eyes.

I could feel the shame creeping in, the realization that I had kept such an important part of my life a secret from someone who cared for me.

She let out a sigh, disappointment flickering across her features but she was trying to grasp the situation.

"You should have told me," she murmured, her voice soft but firm like a gentle reprimand that cut deeper than I expected.

"Where's Jason? He ought to be here with you."

A knot formed in my throat at the mention of his name.

Jason!

His name alone brought a rush of conflicting emotions within me – anger, sadness, and a deep sense of betrayal.

I remembered the days that followed Laura's departure, how Jason had become more loving and attentive towards me, trying to make up for the neglect and pain.

His gestures, the dinners, the laughter, and the tender moments had given me a glimmer of hope that maybe we could rekindle our relationship.

But knowing that Jason was with Laura while I and his unborn child were on the brink of death made me realize that our relationship was built on shaky ground.

Jason's affection felt like a desperate attempt to hold on to a semblance of control, not genuine love or commitment.

I know that staying with him would only bring me more heartache and instability, and a part of me whispered that maybe it was time to let go.

Divorce.

The word lingered in my mind, but it wasn’t something I could decide so easily.

"Jason… he's not here,” I said, my voice laced with sadness.

“Sally,” I continued hesitantly, my voice trembling, “I don’t know if I can keep going like this with Jason.”

Her eyes softened as she leaned closer. “What are you saying, Ava?”

“I… I’ve been thinking about divorce,” I confessed, though the words felt foreign leaving my lips. “But I’m not sure. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to walk away or if it’s even the right decision for the baby.”

“What?” Sally's eyes widened in shock, disbelief washing over her face.

“What went wrong?”

"Our relationship has struggled for some time, and I'm tired of the constant neglect and heartache."

Sally reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. “Ava, whatever you decide, I’m here for you. If you want to fight for your marriage, I’ll support you. And if you decide you’re better off without him, I’ll stand by you every step of the way.”

Her words were like a lifeline, helping me stay calm amid the storm of emotions raging inside.

I nodded, tears blurring my vision. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

Sally gave me a small, reassuring smile. “You don’t have to figure everything out right now. Just focus on getting better, for yourself and the baby.”

Before I could respond, her phone suddenly rang.

She was a little annoyed by the interruption and wanted to hang up the phone.

“It's okay, just answer it,” I said

“Sorry dear, it must be work.”

She picked up and her expression suddenly changed, to one of concern and urgency.

When she hung up, I said, “You can go, babe, don't worry about me, I'll be fine.”

“Thanks, babe, I'll be back soon.”

She kissed my forehead and left in a hurry leaving me all alone with my thoughts.

****

"Please save her!"

"Wait outside! Only if you wait outside can the doctor treat your wife better!"

I heard a commotion and couldn't help but come out to see what was going on.

As soon as I walked into the corridor, I saw a tall man being driven out of the emergency room by the nurse.

My heart raced as I recognized that familiar handsome face, my brain was buzzing with confusion, as I stood there stunned.

Jason’s suit was wrinkled, and there was blood on his cuffs. It was an awkward sight because he is usually neatly dressed.

He waited outside with an impatient look, and his heart and eyes were filled with worry for the woman in the emergency room.

I had never seen him like this, like a trapped beast, raw and vulnerable.

I didn’t know what happened to me, maybe I wanted to grasp the last glimmer of hope.

I took out my mobile phone and dialed his number. If he told me everything truthfully, it might not be too bad.

From where I stood I saw his hesitation to pick up, he finally answered after the third ring.

He didn't even let me speak and immediately said, “Hey babe, I'm sorry but I can't talk at the moment. I'm dealing with an emergency at the company. Let's talk later when I get back.”

After he finished speaking he hung up the phone on my ears without letting me utter a word.

The betrayal stung like a slap across my face and I couldn't hold back the tears in my eyes from pouring down.

I don't know how long it took, it felt like an eternity.

The nurse in the emergency room came out and called out.

"Is Laura's husband here?"

Jason strode closer, "Yes! I'm here."

The short answer was like a dagger cutting my heart twisting deeper with every passing second.

Not far away, he asked anxiously, "How is her condition? Is it serious?" His voice cracked and I could see the fear etched on his face, a reflection of the turmoil within me.

"She lost so much blood, what do you think? But fortunately, you brought her in just in time, she's fine now."

After the nurse finished speaking, as if she was afraid that he would be worried, she added: "The baby in her womb is fine too."