Sixty Eight

CHAPTER 68

The sun had just risen, slowly illuminating the hospital room through the gaps in the curtains. Antonio, who had finally fallen asleep in his chair after a long night, was awakened by a soft knock on the door. Cassandra, too, appeared to be stirring, blinking slowly to adjust to the morning light.

A doctor entered, carrying a clipboard in his hand. His smile was warm, but his eyes carried the seriousness typical of a professional. “Good morning,” he greeted gently, aware that he had woken up the two occupants of the room.

Antonio quickly rose from his chair, while Cassandra tried to sit up more comfortably. The doctor observed them briefly before his smile widened. “Mr. Antonio, I must say, it’s rare to see someone as devoted to their patient as you are. It’s truly remarkable.”

Cassandra glanced at Antonio, and for the first time, she felt genuinely moved. The care he had shown since she was admitted warmed her heart. Antonio simply nodded politely but said nothing, his focus returning to the doctor.

“Cassandra,” the doctor continued, “we need to perform a few additional tests today, including a urine test. This is to ensure nothing was missed in our previous diagnosis.”

Cassandra nodded, even though her body still felt weak. The doctor called for a nurse who had been waiting outside to assist. Antonio swiftly moved to help Cassandra out of bed, gently holding her arm.

“Take it slow,” he said softly, ensuring every step Cassandra took was steady. “I’ll be here when you’re done.”

The nurse took over as Cassandra left the room. Antonio returned to his chair, his eyes fixed on the door. He waited patiently, though his mind began to fill with various possibilities about the test results.

A few minutes later, Cassandra returned to her room, accompanied by the nurse who helped her back to bed. Antonio immediately stood to ensure she was all right. Once Cassandra was comfortably settled, the same doctor entered again, this time with a small, knowing smile.

“What are the results?” Antonio asked immediately, his tone as direct and firm as ever.

The doctor glanced at the notes in his hand before looking at Cassandra with a meaningful expression. “I have good news for

you both,” he said, smiling.

Cassandra and Antonio exchanged puzzled glances. “What do you mean?” Cassandra asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity.

The doctor stepped closer, holding the clipboard in one hand. “Congratulations, Miss Cassandra. You’re pregnant.”

The room fell silent. Cassandra stared at the doctor with wide eyes, while Antonio appeared frozen, his expression unreadable. Several seconds passed before Cassandra finally spoke.

“P-Pregnant?” she stammered, barely able to believe what she had just heard.

The doctor nodded. “That’s correct. Both the urine test and lab results confirm that you’re expecting. This is very good news, though, of course, it means you’ll need more rest and careful attention to your health during the pregnancy.”

Cassandra was at a loss for words. She turned to Antonio, searching for a reaction from him. Antonio remained silent, his eyes fixed on Cassandra as if he were processing the news they had just received.

“Mr. Antonio, Miss Cassandra,” the doctor continued, “I understand this may come as a surprise, but this also means that Cassandra’s health condition now needs to be a top priority. Her blood pressure must be monitored closely, and her nutritional intake needs to be improved.”

Antonio finally nodded slowly. “We’ll make sure she gets everything she needs,” he said, his tone calmer but still filled with determination.

The doctor smiled, satisfied. “Excellent. I’ll leave some guidelines here for you to review. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me or the on-duty nurse.” After handing over the notes, the doctor and nurse left the room, giving the two time to process the news.

Cassandra leaned back against her pillow, her hands instinctively resting on her stomach. Her gaze remained fixed on Antonio, who was now standing near the window with his back to her. The silence between them felt heavy, but Cassandra knew they both needed time to process everything.

“Antonio,” Cassandra finally called out, her voice barely above a whisper.

He turned, his sharp gaze returning. “Yes?”

“What are you thinking?” she asked, trying to decipher what was going through his mind.

Antonio approached her, his steps calm but purposeful. He sat down in the chair beside her bed, taking her hand gently in his. “I’m thinking that this is my responsibility,” he said seriously. “And I’m not going to run from it.”

Cassandra blinked, unsure how to respond. “But… you don’t have to feel burdened. I don’t want this to be something you see as…”

Antonio cut her off softly. “Cassandra, I don’t see this as a burden. I just want to ensure that you and this child have the best. I promise to protect you both, no matter what.”

His words softened Cassandra’s heart. She never imagined Antonio, a man who always seemed cold and calculated, could speak with such sincerity. She squeezed his hand as a silent gesture of gratitude.

The rest of the day was spent in a calmer atmosphere. Antonio arranged for specialized meals for expectant mothers to be delivered to the hospital. He also instructed Ben to ensure that all of Cassandra’s needs during her recovery were met without delay.

By evening, Cassandra felt better, though her mind was still filled with questions about the future. Antonio remained by her side, meticulously reading the guidelines left by the doctor. Occasionally, he asked Cassandra how she was feeling, showing an extraordinary level of care.

Before going to sleep, Cassandra looked at Antonio, who was still engrossed in the notes in his chair. “Antonio,” she said softly, “thank you.”

He looked up, raising an eyebrow slightly. “For what?”

“For everything. For being here. For caring,” Cassandra said, her smile genuine.

Antonio regarded her for a few seconds before replying. “You don’t need to thank me. I’m doing this because I want to. Now, get some rest. You need it.”

Cassandra nodded gently and closed her eyes. That night, for the first time in days, she felt truly at peace. Antonio remained in his chair, keeping watch as always. In his heart, he had already made a decision: no matter what happened, he would protect Cassandra and their child with everything he had.