The first person that came to Madeline's mind was Beatrice. Admist the intense pain she was able to grab a hold of her phone and somehow managed to dial her number. She was lucky to have had her contact number the second day she visited the clinic for the tests.
“Hello? Madeline...” The call connected.
“...please help me... Am..in pain...” Madeline could barely speak as she clutched her belly tightly. Her back leaning against the doorframe of her bedroom door. “Madeline! What happened?” Beatrice was agitated over the phone. “Please...help me. M-my...baby,” Madeline bit her lip. Her worry for her baby seemed to be real and she didn't want to loose her baby. She wouldn't be able to look at herself in the mirror if she took her own baby's life.
“Where do you live? Please can you tell me Madeline!” Madeline continued to bit her lip more and more to reduce the pain but it only got worse. She was becoming frantic and her vision was already getting blurred. “...C-close to.... twelve s-street d-downtown. Dr-apes building...” She couldn't bear the pain anymore. Her head was already spinning and all she could think of was her baby and the trail of blood around her before she passed out.
Madeline woke up to find herself lying on a hospital bed with a drip attached from her left hand towards a drip bag on a stand by her bedside. The smell of fresh air scented in the room and it didn't feel like a hospital. Madeline wondered how she got here and could only recall worrying about her baby before everything went black. Her eyes popped out and she looked down to touch her belly. The image of the blood trail around her back home was enough to shake her to the core. She was worried if she lost her baby.
It wasn't like she could feel anything but Madeline hoped she would as she continued to caress her baby with a drop of tear escaping her eyes. She didn't know for how long she was unconscious but the immense pain wasn't there anymore. She seemed fine but the worry for her baby didn't go away. She still wondered if she was still pregnant.
The door opened and a male doctor along with Beatrice walked in. Beatrice had a warm smile and was quick to walk ahead of the doctor to stand beside Madeline. “Am so glad you're awake dear.” And, Madeline tightly held Beatrice's hands. “Is my baby okay Beatrice? Oh please tell me my baby is fine.” This made Beatrice to smile and covered her hand with hers. “The baby is fine. You were bleeding but what happened?”
Madeline wiped her tears and didn't know how to say she was foolish in taking some unknown pill just to get rid of her own baby. The mere thought made her churn and cover her face in shame. “I...took some abortion pills.” She managed to say and Beatrice didn't seem surprised. “That was a risk you took Madeline. Especially without a doctor's prescription. Not only the baby but you also put your own body in danger.”
“Your baby is perfectly fine but she's right. That was a risk you took.” Madeline turned to look at the male doctor who was quick to introduce himself. “Doctor Esperza. A pleasure Ms Collins.” Madeline smiled as a response and Beatrice said, “He's my good friend from medical School and he helped me bring you here. I was so worried when you called Madeline.”
“Am so sorry and thank you doctor for your help. I...hope there's no complications because of my stupidity?” Madeline couldn't seem to stop worrying about her unborn baby. “Don't worry Ms Collins. There's no complications. Everything's fine and the baby is placed perfectly. Although I'll need to monitor you closely for a couple of days.” Esperza said and Madeline was quick to decline. “I can't stay here. I wouldn't be able to afford...”
“Don't worry Madeline. Everything's been taking care of. Esperza is my good friend.” Beatrice cut her off. But Madeline felt it was wrong to accept such kindness. “No...this is wrong. I can't accept... I've always been independent and payed for my own expenses. I refuse to accept.” She declined and turned to Esperza. “Thank you doctor and I promise to pay what I owe you.” Madeline reached out to remove the drip from her hand when Beatrice stopped her.
“You don't have to go through this alone Madeline. More hands are better than just one.”
“And who said I was alone. I have my boyfriend with me.” Madeline said confidently but deep within her resolve wasn't as strong as her words. “Madeline...” Beatrice started but Madeline said. “I'll talk to him. He's coming back to New York sometime this week. I'll make him understand. He...he gets me. Am sure he'll understand.”
“Am sorry to say this but Kane's in Manhattan.” Madeline shot her eyes up in surprise. “No...he hasn't. H-he would have come home. I know he would.” Even though Madeline was saying this, somewhere it seemed more like she wanted to believe what she was saying. There was no way Kane could go this far just because he was upset. He loved her. They had been together for over three years and never kept secrets from each other. If Kane was back in Manhattan then he would have told her. He would already be home even though he was very upset.
“.. That's not true. You must have been mistaken. Kane's out of town...for a business project.” The more Madeline assured herself the more she felt that Kane was being so distant. Now that she wanted to keep her baby she didn't know how to go about with Kane. But one thing was for sure. She had him. He loved her. She could convince him.
“I know it's hard to accept but I've known Kane for more than a year now and I can't see him on the streets and not recognize him. Madeline...” Beatrice wanted Madeline to calm down and not stress out. “Where did you see him and when?” Madeline asked.
“I thought you knew he was back in town. I was meeting with a patient in Soho and saw him...inside a car with...a woman.” Beatrice held Madeline's hand. She didn't want to get ahead of herself in what she was telling Madeline. This could all be a misunderstanding.
“Another woman? And in Soho. But...Kane can't afford to even step a foot in Soho. That's an expensive neighborhood. Am sure you're mistaken.”
“Please calm down Ms Collins. You shouldn't stress out especially after what you went through. And, I suggest you are consitent for your appointments. You are free to go but don't take stress and worry. Please excuse me.” Esperza walked out.
“But it's not possible Beatrice. There's no way Kane is in New York and in Soho right now. H-he would have come home.” For some reason her heart was restless at the thought of Beatrice speaking the truth. Kane had been ignoring her calls and messages. Not once had he called her since he left and now she was more anxious than ever. If Kane wasn't in her life then she couldn't do anything.
“After hearing this, you have to be ready for when you see him. And, please remember that you're not alone in this Madeline. It seems Kane's made his decision about this.” Madeline didn't like Beatrice's words holding some bitter truth in them.
YOU ARE READING
His Second Chance
Romance"True love bears all, endures all and triumphs!" "Let me go! I don't want to talk to you." I hissed and tried to get my arm out of his strong hold. I knew only looking into his green emerald eyes would make things worse. It would force me to recolle...
