Chapter Five
Ava’s POV
The first thing that seeped through my fogged brain when I woke up was the realization that I wasn’t in the hotel room. I didn’t need anyone to tell me, nor did I need to open my eyes to confirm where I was. The familiar sterile scent of antiseptic and drugs told me everything. I was in a hospital. Which meant Phoenix had come to my rescue when I called..
A sigh slipped past my slightly parted lips as my eyes flickered open, a small, silent thank you to God for another breath of life. I lay still for a while, my gaze sweeping the all–too–familiar surroundings, from the stark white walls to the annoying beeping of the heart monitor, and the too–bright fluorescent lights. The hospital management should consider painting the walls pink or orange, anything to make the room less dead. Then, like a haunting nightmare, the memory of what had led to my unconsciousness crashed back into my mind. How could I forget when my bones felt heavy, my body sore with the lingering residue of pain? I couldn’t recall what happened after I called Phoenix because I had blacked out almost immediately after she picked up. A shiver ran through me. I had never felt anything like that before, not the pain, not the terrifying helplessness of losing control over my own body.
Since the surgery, I’d experienced fatigue and nausea, sometimes even full–blown weakness. But this? This was different. Was it stress? Probably. Kyle had always ensured I avoided stress, becoming even more protective after we lost our first baby. The thought of him and the loss of our child sent a pang through my chest, so sharp and suffocating that I had to force myself to exhale, in a bid to relieve the tightness building. up in my chest.
However, the discomfort bit at me, pulling me deeper into its suffocating embrace. I attempted to sit up, in a bid to push it away, but I barely managed to push myself halfway before the bathroom door swung open, revealing a disheveled Phoenix. Her head was slightly bowed, her fingers absentmindedly running through her hair, smoothing and tugging at it in frustration. Until now, I hadn’t realized someone was in the room with me. I had assumed she’d left for work. But judging by the state of her wild hair and her exhausted expression, she had stayed the night.
A sudden urge to cry rose in my chest, and I shifted as if physically moving would stop the feeling. However, my movement must have caught her attention because her head snapped up, her hands still tangled in her
hair.
“Oh my God, Ava! You’re awake!” she
I winced at the volume..
l but screamed, rushing toward me.
“You almost scared me to death, girl! What the hell happened? Why were you in a goddamn hotel in the middle of the night?”
Before I could answer, the door creaked open again, revealing a white–haired doctor with two nurses flanking
him.
“Oh, you’re awake,” the doctor said, stepping further into the room with an easy smile. His eyes flicked briefly to Phoenix in silent acknowledgment before turning to me. But I didn’t return the smile. I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries or forced politeness. I simply stared at him, blankly as he stopped beside my bed, the nurses standing a few steps away at the foot.
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“I’m glad to see you conscious,” he added, likely noticing I wasn’t going to reply. “How do you feel?” His brow lifted slightly as he poised his pen over the chart in his hand, peering down at me under his glasses.
I shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position. “Fine, I guess.”
And it was true. The pain from yesterday was gone, replaced by a strange tingling sensation under my stomach, a reminder that what happened wasn’t a nightmare but a real, terrifying occurrence.
“That’s good to hear.” He said. There was a brief pause before he cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. His eyes flicked to my chart before returning to me. “We ran a series of tests while you were unconscious,” he said, and immediately, my heart started pounding.
Tests?
At Kyle’s family hospital, multiple tests wouldn’t have been necessary. They already had my medical records. But here? They knew nothing about me.
The doctor exhaled slightly before continuing. “The results came back, and there’s something important we
need to discuss.”
My stomach twisted painfully and I swallowed hard.
Important. That word was never a good sign.
Am I dying? Is my health deteriorating? Has my body finally decided to give up on me?
The silence after his words felt suffocating. The weight of it pressed down on my chest, making it hard to
breathe.
“You’re pregnant.”
A loud squeak shattered the silence, followed by the sharp scrape of a chair against the floor.
I froze. My head snapped up so fast that I felt dizzy for a moment.
Pregnant?
I wanted to say the word, to ask if I hadn’t misheard him, but it felt like something was lodged in my throat, strangling the sound before it could escape.
“It’s early,” the doctor continued, oblivious to the havoc he had just wreaked on my mind. “But the tests are clear.” He paused, then softened his tone. “I know this might come as a shock, especially given your medical
history.
Shock didn’t even begin to cover it.
Pregnant. Me?
I hadn’t considered the possibility. After my miscarriage, I stopped using contraceptives, but I never got pregnant again. It was as if my body had already made its decision to deny me the one thing I wanted the most. And now, when my life had crumbled to pieces, it was giving me this? How come?
The doctor’s voice pulled me back. “I know this is a lot to take in,” He said, noting the panic in my eyes. “But we need to talk about the risks. With your history of kidney donation and your weakened immune system, this is a high–risk pregnancy.”
The weight of his words pressed down on me. But I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t say a thing even if I wanted
- to.
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Charter Five
“This pregnancy will put immense strain on your remaining kidney. We’ll need to monitor your kidney function closely throughout your pregnancy period”
I could barely nod as my mind spun like a fast wheel.
“There’s also a higher likelihood of developing preeclampsia,” he continued. “High blood pressure,” he explained like I couldn’t tell what that meant. “Your kidney function could be further compromised by high blood pressure, which could affect both you and the baby.”
He paused, giving me a moment to process, but my brain refused to focus on anything other than t
word.
Pregnant.
that one
Part of it was because I’ve gone through the lecture before when I was insistent on conceiving and another part was because I was purely shocked beyond words.
“Additionally.” The doctor continued, “You’re at a higher risk of infections due to your weakened immune system. Even minor infections could pose serious risks to you and the baby.”
I swallowed hard, my throat dry, my mind racing as the doctor continued to pursue his words.
“You may
ay also develop gestational diabetes,” he added. “It is manageable, but it adds another layer of
complexity.”
Complex.
That’s exactly what this was. It was like unexpected things were being thrown at my face without a care. First, my husband’s betrayal. Now, this? If fate thinks this is some kind of joke, then it needs to come up with a better one because this is just absurd.
How could it choose now, of all times, to bless me with the one thing I’ve wanted? The very thing that could have saved my marriage, only after everything had fallen apart? Why? How could fate be so cruel?
“Mrs. Banks?” The doctor’s voice brought me back. His eyes were kind but serious. “I want to be clear. This will not be easy. There’s a risk of preterm labor, possible kidney failure, and even blood clots. The physical demands of pregnancy will push your body to its limits.”
My pulse quickened, and my stomach tightened painfully with pure terror. I had always been determined to carry a child, even when my personal doctor listed all the possible dangers. But hearing them again, especially now, knowing I wouldn’t have my husband’s shoulder to lean on, felt like the weight of the world was crushing me, suffocating me. And that infuriated me. I had been so dependent on Kyle, so sure of his presence, that the thought of raising a child without him felt like a death trap.
The realization pissed me off.
“I understand,” I whispered, my voice trembling. But despite the fear, a new determination burned in my chest. “But I need to do this. I need to try.”
Because I refused to let a man who had abandoned me be the reason I gave up on my child.
The doctor exhaled, studying me. “I know you’re strong, but I need you to fully understand the risks. You’ll require frequent check–ups more often than usual.” My stomach tightened at his words, but I refused to let
my determination wave coordinate with an obstetrician if you choose to continue your care at this
hospital, ensuring a full team monitors both your health and the baby’s. If not, I will prepare a referral to a
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hospital of your choice.”
I nodded, a mix of fear and determination in my eyes. “Okay. Thank you, doctor.”
The doctor gave me a concerned look but nodded. “Alright, I’ll give you some time to think about your decision,” he said gently. “But please remember how important it is to listen to your body. If anything feels off, seek help immediately.”
With a final look of concern, he and the nurses exited, leaving me with my thoughts.
And well, with Phoenix.
I didn’t dare meet her gaze. If I did, I might broak.
Taking a deep breath, I clenched my hands together as if my life depended on it.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it through, but one thing was certain, I wasn’t going to give up on this
pregnancy.
Not when the fear of doing it alone without Kyle was so overwhelming. I needed to prove to myself that I could survive without him. That the void left by my parent’s death and the loneliness that followed could be filled by me and my child alone.
The oddluna
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