Anastasia's eyes fluttered open to the harsh glare of fluorescent lights, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling her nostrils. The soft beeping of a heart monitor punctuated the silence, reminding her that she was no longer in the comfort of her home. A wave of disorientation washed over her as she tried to sit up, only to be met with a jolt of pain that shot through her abdomen.
"Ahh!" she gasped, instinctively clutching her stomach, a fresh wave of panic gripping her as memories of the previous night flooded back. The argument, Elijah's anger, the blood... She felt a swell of dread, but she forced her eyes to focus on the room around her. She was in a hospital bed, IV fluids dripping into her arm, the sounds of muted conversations echoing in the corridor outside her room.
"Anastasia?" a gentle voice called from the door. She turned her head, spotting a nurse walking in, her expression soft but professional. "You're awake! How are you feeling?"
"I... I don't know," she replied, her voice hoarse. "What happened?"
"You experienced some complications, but you're stable now," the nurse explained, adjusting the IV bag. "You'll need to take it easy. The doctor will be in shortly to discuss everything."
"Where's Elijah?" she asked, her heart racing at the thought of him. The anger and fear she had felt before fading back into the forefront of her mind. She didn't want to see him. Not now.
"He's in the waiting area," the nurse said, watching her closely. "Do you want me to call him in?"
"No!" Anastasia snapped, feeling a surge of panic wash over her. "I... I need to talk to the doctor first."
The nurse nodded, sensing her distress. "Alright, I'll let the doctor know you're awake. Just breathe, okay?"
As the nurse stepped out, Anastasia took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She felt a mix of emotions swirling within her—anger at Elijah, fear for her baby, and a gnawing dread that he would burst in any moment and shatter whatever fragile sense of peace she was trying to build. She needed to keep her secret safe.
Moments later, the door opened again, and a doctor walked in, his demeanor professional yet warm. "Good morning, Anastasia. I'm Dr. Lawson. How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. "Can you just tell me what's going on?"
Dr. Lawson exchanged a glance with her, sensing the tension in the room. "You had a bit of a scare, but the baby is alive. You experienced some stress-related complications, which we're monitoring closely, but everything appears stable right now."
Relief washed over her, but it was quickly overshadowed by the fear of Elijah finding out. "Can you... can you keep that from him? I mean, I want to know how the baby is, but I don't want him to know yet. Please."
The doctor raised an eyebrow, surprised by her request. "That's unusual, but I need to understand your reasoning. Why do you want to keep this information from him?"
Anastasia took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she weighed her words. "He can be... controlling. I'm worried about how he'll react if he finds out I'm still pregnant. He might think it gives him even more control over me."
Dr. Lawson nodded, understanding the delicate situation. "I see. It's crucial that you feel safe. I can tell him that the situation is delicate without disclosing everything. But I can't lie about the baby's status if he asks directly."
"Just tell him the baby didn't make it," she pleaded, a knot forming in her stomach. "I can't handle his anger right now. I need some space."
The doctor hesitated but ultimately nodded. "I'll do my best to handle the conversation delicately. Your health and well-being are our priority."
YOU ARE READING
Legacy of Healing
RomanceIn this captivating tale of love, control, and survival, Legacy of Healing takes readers on a gripping journey through the emotional and psychological turmoil of Anastasia, a woman torn between the promise of love and the darkness it can harbor. Ana...