Death of a Bachelor

#8 Deep trouble

Simone’s eyes wandered around the familiar room, taking in every detail. It wasn’t like the typical hospital room she was used to. This one was different—classier, more spacious, and with a warmth that seemed out of place in a medical setting. The walls were painted in soft, soothing colors rather than the stark, clinical white she had come to associate with hospitals where make you more weaker. Her gaze was drawn to the paintings and picture frames hanging on the walls, each one meticulously chosen to add a touch of life and color.

She had woken up early that morning and rushed to the hospital just to escape from her two friends. She was fed up with them always treating her like a child. Simone squeezed her hand and took a deep breath. Across from her sat an old woman, Dr. Bennet, who stared deeply into her eyes as if trying to read her thoughts. Dr. Bennet had been Simone’s doctor for the past two years since she had moved to Paris. In that time, she had become the one person Simone trusted completely, even though she never smiled, was incredibly secretive, and was overly serious about everything, her seriousness almost intimidating, but Simone appreciated that. There was no sugarcoating with Dr. Bennet—just the truth, plain and simple.

Anxiety tightening in her chest as she watched the doctor twirl a pen between her fingers. Dr. Bennet took a deep breath, a small sign of hesitation, before opening the folder she held, which contained the results of Simone’s latest checkup.

“How are you feeling?” Dr. Bennet asked, her voice calm and measured.

Simone crossed her arms over her chest and shrugged slightly. She didn’t want to talk about her feelings, it seemed pointless. But Dr. Bennet wasn’t one to let things go easily.

“Dear, tell me how you feel" Dr. Bennet repeated, her tone gentle but firm.

“N-Nervous and scared" Simone finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She quickly looked away, focusing on the painting behind Dr. Bennet’s desk "I didn’t sleep well last night”

Dr. Bennet nodded, her eyes scanning the results in front of her, but Simone could tell she was listening carefully. After a moment, the doctor looked up, her expression softening just a fraction. “Thankfully, the cancer hasn’t returned. The results are perfect—zero percent” she said, pointing to the report.

The words washed over Simone like a wave of relief, and she closed her eyes, feeling the tension start to melt away. It was the news she had been praying for, the outcome she had hardly dared to hope for. “You are completely fine and healthy” Dr. Bennet continued, flipping through the pages in the folder. Simone let out a shaky breath, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards in a small, relieved smile.

But then Dr. Bennet’s voice broke through her thoughts, drawing her back to the present “When was your last period?” the doctor asked

Simone blinked, caught off guard by the question. “L-last January... but my periods have always been irregular" she stammered, suddenly feeling exposed.

“It’s been two months, Simone” Dr. Bennet said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at Simone over the top of her glasses. “Are you aware that…?” Simone’s heart skipped a beat, her pulse quickening as she waited anxiously for the doctor to continue “It says here that you are positive"

“Positive for what?” Simone asked, a frown creasing her forehead “COVID?”

Dr. Bennet shook her head slowly, rubbing her forehead as if the conversation was causing her a headache "You’re pregnant" she said flatly, the words landing like a bombshell.

Simone’s mouth dropped open in shock. “W-what?” she stammered, a nervous laugh bubbling up before she could stop it. It was absurd—completely impossible