Chapter 78
No one knows what will come first – tomorrow or an unexpected tragedy.
I stared at the ultrasound results, hoping for a miracle.”
z = F
The report read: [No fetal heartbeat, recommended termination of pregnancy.]
It was as if I had been struck by a thunderbolt on a clear day, yet I felt no pain.
Gripping the obstetrician’s hand, I trembled uncontrollably.”
“Doctor, could it be a misdiagnosis? I felt the baby move before. It’s just been less frequent these days. Can’t you check again? I’ve been eating and sleeping well. How could my baby not have a heartbeat? Please, I only have him…”
As I spoke, tears streamed down my face.”
With trembling hands, I dialed Eric’s number again, but no one answered, as usual.
Alone, I visited several hospitals, undergoing multiple ultrasounds, only to receive the same result.”
My baby was gone.
He left me quietly, without a sound.
The doctor suggested induction, warning that prolonging the situation would harm my body.”
I still held onto a sliver of hope–what if, by some miracle, he was born alive?!
The surgery required a family member’s signature, so I called Eric. A gentle female voice informed me his phone was off.”
Of course, he and Jane were on a flight, heading to their seaside paradise.}
I discussed with the doctor, eventually signing the consent form myself, taking full responsibility for the outcome.
Lying on the cold operating table, I prayed desperately for a miracle.
Even a single breath, just something to show he was alive. I was willing to do anything, as long as my baby survived.
For a fleeting moment, I thought, if my baby didn’t make it, what was the point of me living?”
Maybe I should just stay on this operating table and go with him.”
But miracles don’t happen in this world.”
My baby’s face was pale. He had been gone for some time.<
Looking back, I realized the baby’s movements had indeed decreased after I fell into the water.
But at the time, all the tests came back normal.”
The hospital’s final conclusion: [Umbilical cord strangulation and twisting.]}
Doctors and nurses tried to console me. “Stay strong, take care of yourself. These things happen often, babies in the womb move unpredictably.”
I didn’t hear them. My mind was filled with one thought, “my baby is gone, why am I still alive?“}
I had never cried so much in my entire life…”
The pillowcase was soaked, then dried, then soaked again.§
Was my mother in as much pain when she gave birth to me?”
The stitches hurt when they tore the wound open. Pressing on the lochia hurt. Even going to the bathroom hurt.
I thought I had endured all the pain love could bring, but there was more–much more.
I pulled out my phone, ready to message my mother, but I saw Jane’s latest post on her social media.
“Doing what people do at the beach!“”
Nine pictures in a grid – the beach, the sand, her in a bikini, and a loving gaze from Eric.
What an ironic world!!
While the mother of his child lay in the hospital, half–dead from grief, the father was living it up with another woman.! How disgusting.
That night, to my surprise, Eric called.”
His voice was low. “Gloria, you should have come with us. The sea is beautiful.“”
I hadn’t heard him call me that in a long time. He used to call me Gloria so sweetly when we were dating.”
“Gloria, what do you want to eat?”
“Gloria, what do you like?“%
“Gloria is so beautiful. You are mine alone.”W
But after we got married, everything changed.
Jane sobbed, “Eric, I feel like I’m losing you. We’ve been together for so many years. You won’t leave me, will you?”
12:33 PM d
Before the wedding, we had agreed that Jane would stay in the old house while we bought a new one with a loan.
But because of that one sentence, we sold the old house and moved in together.”
D
Eric’s exact words were, “Jane has had a hard time all these years. She didn’t get married or have kids to take care of me. She’s lonely living alone. Plus, she’s our housekeeper–she can take care of us if she moves in.”
How considerate of him.”
On the phone, Eric went on about how wonderful the beach was. His implication was clear. It’s too late to regret now.”
I sneered, “As long as you’re happy.“”
Eric lost his temper. “Gloria Smith, don’t push your luck.“”
Jane’s coy voice interrupted. “Eric, come take a shower. We got sand all over us.”
I hung up the phone. A dog can’t stop eating shit.
Who’s really pushing their luck here?!
33
