The Turning Point

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE - A GOODBYE TO SOMEONE I DIDN'T KNOW

Heloyse

A throbbing pain cut through my head like sharp blades when I opened my eyes. The brightness hit me hard, forcing me to close them again. My whole body pulsed with pain, and my throat felt like it was on fire.
"Water..."
A hand held mine firmly.
"Oh my God! You're awake, dear. I'll call the doctor."
"Water... please..."
My voice was hoarse, almost a whisper. Cielo rushed to get a glass and helped me drink in small sips. The cool liquid slid down my throat, relieving the burning sensation.
"What happened?" I asked, with effort.
Cielo hesitated.
"Don't you remember, dear?"
I tried to pull the scattered images in my mind.
"More or less... I remember the fight... my nose... Will? Where is he?"
"Calm down! Don't talk so much. I'll call the doctor."
When the doctor arrived, he examined me carefully, his expression serious.
Even after the medication, the pain remained unbearable. My whole body throbbed, and a sharp cramp tightened my belly, making me want to curl up.
"It's normal to feel pain," he said, making some notes on the clipboard. "You suffered a considerable trauma. The impact caused a cut on your head, which required six stitches. You also fractured the ring finger of your left hand, which is why it's immobilized. Your nose suffered a contusion and some veins ruptured, which caused the bleeding. You will need to keep the gauze on for at least 48 hours to contain the swelling. In addition, there are bruises all over your body, and recovery will take a few days."
He paused before continuing.
"I also want you to be aware of any symptoms such as severe dizziness, vomiting, or blurred vision. Any signs of worsening need to be reported immediately. And finally, I suggest absolute rest."
Then, he looked at Cielo.
"I'd like to speak with her alone."
Cielo gave me a worried look before leaving the room.
As soon as the door closed, the doctor lowered the clipboard and looked at me.
"Did you know you were pregnant, miss?"
The air seemed to disappear from my lungs.
My mind spun.
I had suspected... but with everything that happened, I forgot.
"I..." my voice failed. "I had suspected... but... did something happen?"
The doctor sighed, adopting a more careful tone.
"Your pregnancy was very recent. It couldn't be confirmed by ultrasound yet, but it appeared in your blood tests."
My heart raced.
"What do you mean, 'was'?"
A heavy silence settled before he answered.
"The shock, the impact of the accident, and the extreme stress contributed to the interruption of the pregnancy. Your body started a natural expulsion process. We will still monitor, but it is likely that a curettage procedure will not be necessary."
And while the doctor explained all the procedures, exams, and care, his words became a distant noise, muffled by the pain that spread through my chest. I could only think about how much I wanted that child. How much, without even realizing it, he was already part of me.
He was a piece of him in me. Something ours.
If one day everything ended, if fate separated us, I would still have that unbreakable bond, that living memory that would make me feel him close, even in the distance. But now... now I had nothing.
I lost him before I even had him.
And I said goodbye to someone I never met, but already loved more than anything in the world.
His words sounded like deafening thunder.
My chest was tight.
I lost my baby.
I didn't even have time to imagine his little face, to feel his presence grow inside me. I didn't have time to wish, to plan, to love more than I already loved.
I lost him before I even had him.
A cold, devastating pain took over me.
"Please..." my voice came out in a broken whisper. "I don't want anyone to know. Not now."
The doctor nodded, respecting my request.
Shortly after, he called Cielo back and explained about my rest, omitting the part that was tearing my soul apart.
"How are you feeling, dear?" she asked, holding my hand with affection.
"Like a car ran over me," I murmured.
She gave a sad smile.
"I'm glad to hear you talk. You gave us a huge scare."
I tried to smile, but couldn't.
"Cielo... where is Will?"
"At the farm."
"Can you let him know I'm awake?"
"I already did."
"And... when is he coming?"
Cielo squeezed my hand and smiled.
"Soon."
I was alone after she left.
And that's when everything fell apart.
The tears came uncontrollably.
I cried in silence. I cried from pain, from sadness, from an emptiness that seemed like it would never be filled.
My hand slid to my belly.
And there, there was only nothing.