Chapter 05~ Save My Baby!

CLARA

The blinding white light of the hospital room made my head pound as I slowly opened my eyes. My body felt heavy, and my limbs refused to cooperate. The events of last night rushed back, leaving a sinking feeling in my stomach.

Before I could sit up, my uncle’s angry voice filled the room. He was pacing, muttering to himself, his face covered with anger.

“You’ve ruined everything!” he spat, spinning around to face me. “Pregnant? You’re pregnant?”

I didn’t respond. My throat was dry, and my heart was pounding so fast.

“For all the years I’ve put up with you, this is how you repay me? You’ve destroyed everything!” His voice grew louder as he stepped closer to the bed.

“What are you talking about?” I managed to croak, my voice barely audible.

"What am I talking about, huh?" He leaned over me, I could perceive the smell of alcohol reeking from his breath. “I'm talking about this bastard in your womb. You're getting it out as soon as possible."

"Uncle Mark..." Before I could even speak my mind, he yelled, interrupting me.

"Shut up!" He foamed. "Just shut up, okay?!" He paced around, like he was thinking of what to say. Worse, what to do.

He stopped pacing, approaching my side again. “He likes choir girls like you. My debt will be cleared if you agree to be his… company.”

My eyes flew open.

“The loan shark,” he hissed. “He was willing to clear my debt in exchange for you. Do you understand what I’m saying, Clara? You were my way out.”

I froze, feeling goosebumps surface on my skin. I don't know who this man he spoke of was, but the horror of his words sank in, and I couldn't help but shiver. “You… you were going to sell me?”

"Whatever you call it, I don't fucking care." He snapped. "For all the years we've trained you, it's time you repay me. It's time you play your own role as a family."

I shook my head, at this point, tears had already filled my eyes as I stared at the man I used to call my uncle. He seriously wants to sell me? And worse, he wants to kill an innocent child for his selfish gain?

"You're wicked, Uncle Mark." I shook my head. "I thought you had a little decency, but I was wrong. Are you even listening to yourself?!" I yelled.

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me." He warned, pointing his first finger at me.

"I will, Uncle!" I yelled, regardless of his warning. "I have every right to. You want me to carry your cross, and now you want to kill an innocent child for your selfish gain! Can you for once be a human?"

"Now you shut up, young lady." He growled. "You fucking shut up or you'll beat the consequences."

"I'm not letting you hurt my baby," I insisted. "I'm not letting you control my life anymore."

"Well, you don't have a choice." He snarled, dragging my wrist and forcefully pulling me out of the bed.

When the door creaked open, I turned my head, upon seeing Aunt Maggie, I felt a leap of hope. Since she was the one who understood me at least, she'd definitely save me out of this mess.

As she walked in, the smell of wine filled the air. Her eyes were heavy, and her hair was a mess, but at that moment, none of that mattered.

“Aunt Maggie!” I cried out, tears streaming down my face. “Please, call the police. Uncle is trying to—”

My words were cut off as my uncle’s hand tightened around my arm. “Don’t start, Clara. Maggie isn’t going to help you. She knows what needs to be done.”

I stared at her, not wanting to believe her. “Auntie, please! You can’t let him do this to me. You’re all I have!”

For a moment, I thought I saw something in her eyes—guilt, hesitation, maybe even a sign of love. But it vanished as quickly as it came. Her lips quivered as she looked at my uncle and then at me.

“It’s for the best, Clara,” she slurred, avoiding my gaze. “You’ve caused enough trouble already.”

My heart shattered. “What? No, no, you can’t mean that. I’ve done everything for you! I sold my eggs so you could get money for rehab. I sacrificed everything for you!”

The way she ignored me, shifting her gaze to Uncle Mark felt like I wasn't talking to her but myself. “And I’ll go back to rehab when this is over. Your uncle promised.”

Her words hit me like a slap. I felt betrayed. This was the woman I had trusted, the woman I had sacrificed for. I am carrying this child because of her, and now she is going to regard me as trash? Now, she was handing me over to be destroyed.

“Promised? He lies, Aunt Maggie! He’s using you, just like he’s trying to use me!”

But she didn’t respond. Instead, my uncle thrust a clipboard into her hands. “Sign it,” he demanded.

I froze, watching in disbelief as her hand moved to the pen. “No! Don’t you dare! Aunt Maggie, don’t do this!”

She looked at me one last time, tears pooling in her bloodshot eyes. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, before scribbling her name at the bottom of the form.

A cold, bitter laugh escaped my uncle’s mouth. “There. Now it’s official.”

“No!” I screamed, thrashing against his hold. “How could you do this to me? How could you betray me like this?”

Then the door burst open, and Lucaa stormed in. “Let her go,” she yelled angrily.

Uncle Mark sneered, shoving me aside. “Who do you think you are, boy? This isn’t your business.”

“It is now,” Lucaa said, stepping between us. “You’re not laying another hand on her.”

My uncle’s face twisted in rage. Without warning, he lunged at Lucaa, his fist connecting with her jaw like she was a man. Lucaa staggered but didn’t fall, standing her ground.

I mentally wondered how she was able to survive the hit without falling to the ground.

“Get out of here, or I’ll make sure you regret it,” my uncle spat.

Lucaa wiped blood from her lip, before returning her gaze at him. “Over my dead body.”

But then my aunt stepped in, pointing her finger at Lucaa. “Young lady, you better leave or I’ll call the police on you! You’re trespassing, and I’ll make sure they throw you in jail!”

The threat made Lucaa hesitate, then her eyes shifted to me. “Clara, I’m not leaving you,” she said softly.

Tears welled in my eyes. “Lucaa, don’t. Please, don’t get hurt because of me.”

My uncle took advantage of the moment, punching her again and sending her to the ground. She grunted in pain, and I screamed, struggling harder against my uncle’s grip.

“Stop it!” I yelled. “Please, stop. Leave her alone!”

I was more concerned about Lucaa that I didn't realise my Uncle's hand halfway to my face until I felt a sharp pain land on my cheeks. My ears buzzed like it was going to explode, and I almost lost my vision.

I couldn't react, I was still trying to get over the pain. However, Uncle Mark turned to the doctor with a look of satisfaction. "Clara is alright," he faked a smile. "I demand that the surgery be performed immediately."

"No. No." I shook my head. "Please don't. Please..."

Just then… I remembered the cross.

I reached into my pocket, pulling it up. I stretched it to my uncle. “This cross—it must be worth a lot of money. If you pawn it, you’ll have enough to pay off your debts. Just let me go!”

He snatched the necklace from my hand, examining it with a sneer. “This? It’s garbage. A fake piece of junk. You really think this is worth something?”

He laughed cruelly before tossing it across the room. The sound of it hitting the floor made my heart shatter. What now? How can I possibly escape this man?

“No!” I cried, reaching for it, but he yanked me back.

“You’re pathetic,” he spat. “Cheap jewellery can easily fool you.”

He angrily pulled out his belt from his waist, and he used it to hold my right hand against the bed handle.

"Now, I want you to be quiet. Understood?" He shushed. "Doctor, do what you have to do."

While I struggled to let go, the doctor injected a sedative in me. The feeling clouded me, causing me to grow instantly weak. I could no longer struggle nor scream.

I felt hopeless. Powerless, and helpless. I could only close my eyes in tears, silently wishing a miracle would somehow—anyhow happen.

At that moment, the door suddenly kicked open, drawing everyone's attention. I could barely see clearly due to the effect of the drug, but I could tell whoever it was that entered wasn't any ordinary man.

“Let her go.” Came a deep voice. Then his scent struck me. It was familiar, just enough for me to know who it was.

Mateo.