Eloise, is it the knife in your stomach that hurts more, or the gaping wound in your heart?
In a haze, I heard a voice calling me. Slowly, I opened my eyes and realized I was in the emergency room.
"Ms. Cromwell," a familiar voice said softly—it was the young nurse from before, looking downcast.
"Can you contact any other family members?" she asked, her voice low and hesitant. "We've tried calling your husband, but he hasn’t answered. The surgery requires a family member’s signature..."
A sharp pain shot through my chest, but not from my injuries. Colin was probably too busy fussing over Siena to even think of me right now. Why would he bother answering?
"I’ll sign it myself," I murmured, forcing the words out. My hand trembled as I scribbled my name on the paper. Just as I thought I might pass out from the pain, I overheard the nurses talking nearby.
"It’s so unfair, isn’t it? That pregnant woman with the last name West—her husband treats her like a queen," one said in disbelief.
"And here this poor woman is, barely clinging to life, and we can’t even find her family."
Afraid that I might feel worse hearing this, the young nurse quickly interrupted them, her voice thick with emotion. "Stop talking! She can hear you."
But I wasn’t angry; in fact, I found it oddly amusing. If only they knew the 'good husband' they were praising had left his wife to bleed out while rushing to care for another woman—I wonder what they would think.
But none of that mattered now. All I cared about was saving my baby.
As the anesthesia started to take effect, I struggled to stay awake. My eyes found the nurse’s, and with the last bit of strength I had, I whispered, “My baby...”
But before I could finish, darkness overtook me.
...
I didn't know how much time had passed, but when I woke up, my ears were filled with frantic voices. Doctors surrounded me, bright operating room lights glaring down on my pale face.
"The patient is losing too much blood, and the baby’s heartbeat is gone! Call Dr. Levine from obstetrics—now!"
My right hand was still gripped tightly by the young nurse, who whispered, trying to calm me, “It’s going to be okay. Dr. Levine is an expert. She’ll save your baby.”
Her voice trembled, betraying her worry. I nodded weakly, holding on to the hope that my child could still survive.