Married to the Devil

Alternate Ending 1

As the rain poured outside, Pooh sat in the dimly lit hospital room beside Pavel's still form. The machines beeped softly, the only sound breaking the heavy silence that hung over them. Pooh gently cradled their baby in his arms, rocking back and forth, trying to soothe the little one who had been unsettled all evening.

"It's okay, little one," Pooh murmured softly, his voice wavering with exhaustion and grief. "Daddy's here. Daddy's here."

The baby whimpered, tears streaming down his cheeks, mirroring Pooh's own sorrow. Pooh wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to be strong for his child. He looked at Pavel lying in the hospital bed, so pale and fragile, tubes and wires connected to his motionless body.

"Daddy wishes Mommy could be here with us," Pooh whispered to the baby, his voice cracking. "She loved you so much, just like Daddy does."

The baby squirmed in his arms, his cries growing louder. Pooh gently laid him down in the crib beside Pavel's bed, hoping the sound of his voice and the sight of their child might stir something in Pavel, bring him back to them.

"Look, Pavel," Pooh said softly, tears streaming down his face as he reached out to touch Pavel's cold hand. "Look at our beautiful baby. He needs you. We need you."

But Pavel remained still, his chest barely rising and falling with the help of the machines.

Pooh sat back in the chair, his heart breaking anew as he stared at the wedding photo that had fallen to the floor. He picked it up carefully, tracing the smiling faces captured in happier times.

"Do you remember this day, Pavel?" Pooh whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "You were so beautiful. We were so happy."

..........

( the next day)

A sudden crash of thunder outside made the baby cry out in fear, startling Pooh. He quickly gathered the baby back into his arms, trying to comfort him while holding onto the precious memories of Pavel.

"It's just a storm, little one," Pooh said softly, trying to reassure both himself and the baby. "Mommy used to love storms. She'd hold us close and tell us everything would be okay."

But as the rain continued to lash against the windows, Pooh's phone rang, breaking the fragile peace of the moment. He hesitated for a moment, clutching the baby tightly, before answering.

The voice on the other end confirmed Pooh's worst fear.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Pooh," the doctor's voice said gently through the phone. "Pavel has stopped breathing. He's gone."

Pooh's heart shattered into a million pieces. Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably as he held onto the baby, feeling the weight of Pavel's absence like a physical ache.

"No..." Pooh choked out, his voice barely audible over the baby's cries and the storm outside. "Pavel..."

He collapsed into the floor as , the wedding photo slipping on the table to the floor signalling Pavel's death. The baby's cries echoed through the room, a heartbreaking reminder of the loss they both felt.

"Daddy's here, baby," Pooh whispered hoarsely, his voice thick with grief. "But Mommy... Mommy's gone."

As Pooh held their child close, rocking him gently, their apartment room seemed emptier than ever before. 

And in that moment, Pooh knew their lives would never be the same.