Chapter Four

Tasha's POV

The world around me was dark, heavy, as if I were submerged deep underwater. A sharp, distant beeping cut through the fog, pulling me up from the depths of unconsciousness. I groaned softly, my chest aching with every shallow breath I took.

Where am I?

The sterile scent of disinfectant hit me first, followed by the soft hum of machines. Slowly, I forced my eyes open, the harsh fluorescent lights above me blurring into focus. The white walls, the medical equipment, the stiff sheets under my fingers—it all came rushing back. I was in a hospital.

I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my chest made me wince.

A woman in a white coat stood at the foot of the bed, checking my chart. Her blonde hair was pulled back neatly, and her sharp gaze softened when she noticed I was awake. “you’re awake,” she said in a calm, professional voice. “I’m Dr. Walsh. How are you feeling Ms..?”

I swallowed, my throat dry. “Tasha, tired… what happened?”

“You collapsed on the street,” Dr. Walsh explained gently, placing the clipboard on the edge of the bed. “A man saw you and called for help. You’ve been under significant stress, and it seems your body couldn’t take any more.”

I closed my eyes, flashes of the argument I had with Stanley, the overwhelming pressure of everything I’d been dealing with lately flooding back to me. The collapse on the street… the phone call. My breath hitched at the memory, but before I could dwell on it further, the doctor’s voice pulled me back.

“The man who found you, Robbin, stayed with you until the paramedics arrived,” Dr. Walsh said, her voice steady but kind. “He’s been waiting outside since you were brought in.”

“Robbin?” I repeated, confusion setting in. I didn’t know anyone named Robbin. Before I could ask more, the door creaked open, and a man stepped in.

He was tall, with messy brown hair that brushed against his forehead, and his clothes were casual, like he hadn’t expected to be here. His eyes locked onto mine as he entered the room, carrying a quiet intensity.

“That’s me,” he said with a half-smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He stepped closer, hands in his pockets. “I found you unconscious.”

I blinked, trying to recall his face, but everything from the moment I collapsed felt like a blur. “You… you helped me?”

Robbin nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at me. “Yeah, I was passing by when I saw you on the ground. You were unconscious, so I called an ambulance and stayed with you until they got there.”

The gratitude in my chest was overwhelming. I didn’t know this man, yet he’d stopped to help me. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Robbin waved it off, though there was something genuine in his expression. “Don’t mention it. I just did what anyone else would do.”

“Not everyone,” Dr. Walsh interjected kindly, giving Robbin a grateful nod before turning back to me. “You’re lucky he found you when he did. You’re severely dehydrated, and your body was under too much stress. We’re keeping you here overnight for observation.”

I swallowed hard, the reality of the situation sinking in. I had collapsed, collapsed from stress. It all felt surreal.

Robbin shifted awkwardly on his feet, as if unsure of whether to stay or leave now that I was awake. “I didn’t mean to intrude, I just… wanted to make sure you were okay,” he said, his voice quieter now, almost hesitant.

“No, it’s fine,” I said quickly. “I’m really grateful. I don’t even know how to thank you.”

He shrugged, offering another small smile. “You don’t have to. Right now we just have to make sure you're okay, okay?”

There was a brief silence between us, and I found myself studying him more closely. There was something about his presence that felt oddly reassuring, even though we were practically strangers.

Dr. Walsh gave me a nod and said, “Ms. Tasha, I’ll leave you to rest. If you need anything, just press the call button.”

As she left the room, I turned my attention back to Robbin. "do you know anyone you can call?" he asked

"No " My voice like a whisper. "I don't have anyone"

Robbin's expression softened as I answered, his brow furrowing slightly. He shifted in his seat, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. For a moment, he just looked at me, like he was trying to figure something out.

"No one?" he asked gently, his voice low, but there was no judgment in it, only concern.

I shook my head, feeling a knot tighten in my chest. "Not really. It's... complicated."

He didn't push for details, and I was grateful for that. Instead, he sat back, his gaze still on me. "Then I’ll stay. At least until you’re discharged."

I blinked, surprised. "You don't have to. You've already done so much."

Robbin shrugged casually. "It's no trouble. Besides, it doesn’t feel right leaving you alone in here." His eyes met mine again, and for a brief moment, there was something in his gaze, something kind.

I didn’t know what to say. Part of me wanted to protest, to tell him I didn’t need anyone, but the truth was, I didn’t want to be alone. Not right now. And there was something calming about Robbin’s presence, even though we were practically strangers.

“Why?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Why what?” he replied, leaning back in the chair, though his eyes never left mine.

“Why are you being so kind to me? You don’t even know me.”

He was silent for a moment, as if considering his response. Then, with a faint smile, he said, “Maybe it’s because I know what it feels like to be alone when you need someone. I guess I don’t want you to feel that way.”

His words hit me harder than I expected, stirring something deep within me. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. Instead, I just nodded, feeling a strange warmth settle in my chest.

“Thank you,” I whispered, and this time, I meant it more than ever.

Robbin gave me a small nod, his expression softening even further. “Get some rest. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

As I lay there, the hum of the machines filling the silence, my mind started racing with everything that had happened in the past few months. The weight of it all settled heavily on my chest, making it hard to breathe again.

Robbin had no idea.

He didn’t know about the pregnancy. How could he? No one knew. I had barely come to terms with it myself. I hadn't told Daniel before we divorced. I couldn’t. Everything between us had crumbled too quickly, one argument after another until there was nothing left but coldness and resentment.

Daniel didn’t even know I was pregnant when we signed the divorce papers. And now, here I was, alone, with a baby growing inside me. The baby he’d never know about.

I glanced at Robbin, still sitting in the chair beside me, his eyes now fixed on the floor, deep in thought. Only if he knew the full story, he might have walked away instead of staying.

The guilt clawed at me as I bit my lip, trying to push the thoughts away. How much longer could I keep pretending I had things under control when I didn’t? How long could I hide this pregnancy from everyone, including myself?

I closed my eyes, trying to rest, but sleep wouldn't come. The weight of the past months, of Daniel’s betrayal, the lies, the divorce, and now this secret growing inside me, it all pressed down on me like a tidal wave threatening to drown me.

Just as I began to drift off into a restless slumber, I heard Robbin’s voice softly break the silence.

“Tasha... are you sure you’re okay?” His voice was hesitant, as if he could sense there was something more, something I wasn’t telling him.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep my eyes closed. I couldn’t face him right now. Not with everything racing through my mind.

“I’m fine,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, hoping he’d let it go. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t keep running from the truth.

And just as I thought I could bury it all a little longer, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen, making my eyes fly open. I gasped, clutching my stomach as fear gripped me.

Robbin was immediately on his feet, alarm flashing in his eyes. “Tasha, what’s wrong?”