A Woman's Empire

XL

CHAPTER FORTY

Antonio slowly entered the bedroom. His eyes ran over Audrielle's petite body that lied still in bed. The curtains were still closed. They hadn't been open for three days. Her suitcases were left wide open on the floor, piles of unfolded clothes scattered around the room. There was a box of empty tissues on the edge of the bed and Antonio saw the untouched glass of water that he had given Audrielle the night before.

Poor Audrielle, he thought. Leo was too selfish and stubborn to see the damage he had caused. Not only on Audrielle but also the business too. Leo barely went into the city office anymore to work and when he did, a glass of some sort of alcohol accompanied him every time. No matter how many times Antonio tried to persuade or encourage Leo to actually do some work that would benefit the business, he would somehow find a way to bring Audrielle's name into the argument.

Audrielle rolled around in her bed and squinted at the flooding daylight that bellowed into her dark bedroom while Antonio stood in the doorway. Her eyes stung and started to tear up because she hadn't seen daylight since she arrived back.

"Good morning." Antonio mumbled with a small, sad smile.

Audrielle didn't reply. She just lied in bed and stared at Antonio's tall figure. Everywhere in her body ached. Her head felt like it was going to explode. Her lungs felt tired and bruised. As if someone had punched them black and blue. Although her stomach would rumble in hunger, she couldn't stand the thought of food. Her lips were dry and cracked due to dehydration but because her body felt so fragile, she was afraid to reach over for the glass of water on the nightstand.

When Antonio walked further into the room, he reached over for the glass of water and looked back at Audrielle. She wasn't looking good at all.

"Audrielle, you need to at least try and take a sip of water. You're hurting yourself and your baby."

At the mention of the baby, Audrielle's eyes watered. She knew she was sick and not eating was not only going to slowly kill her, but also her baby. But this was also Leo's baby. And if he didn't care about the baby, then maybe Audrielle shouldn't either. Quickly, Audrielle was falling down the winding rabbit hole of depression.

"I-I'm f-fine..." She croaked out, her voice hoarse and barely a whisper.

"No, you're not." Antonio argued. Audrielle just shrugged her shoulders. She couldn't bother trying to prove to Antonio that she was fine, when deep down, she knew she wasn't.

With the glass of water in his hand, Antonio sat down on the bed next to Audrielle. "Here, have a tiny bit of water." Slowly, he leaned over her frail body and carefully brought the glass to her chapped lips. Barely opening her mouth, Antonio tipped the glass slightly, the cool and refreshing liquid moisturising her lips.

Audrielle invited the taste of water. The refreshing feel of it on her tongue and down her throat. She wanted more, needed more. Snatching the glass out of Antonio's hands, she gulped down the water. Some of it dribbled down her chin and her neck but she didn't seem to care. Antonio chuckled and took the empty cup out of her hands and set it beside them.

"T-Thanks." Audrielle muttered and closed her eyes.

"A doctor is downstairs waiting for you. I asked if he could come in and make sure you and the baby are healthy." Antonio mentioned. Audrielle didn't turn it into an argument just because she felt too tired. With help from Antonio, Audrielle made it out of her room but only to see a tall, gorgeous blonde girl walk out of what once used to be Leo and Audrielle's room. The mysterious woman turned around and caught eyes with Audrielle's sad ones. And then it clicked.

The blonde, shoulder length hair. The glowing tan skin and the long, supermodel like legs. The beauty spot just above her lip. It was Lucy. Leo's so called "childhood best friend" Lucy. Audrielle remembered briefly meeting her on their honeymoon but it was clear that Lucy was more than just a friend. Audrielle had to look up at the ceiling to stop the tears from falling. She didn't need to be reminded that her husband was cheating on her.

Antonio just cleared his throat and guided her downstairs so she didn't have to see Lucy. When they walked into the small doctors surgery, the doctor was quick to do scans and tests. He ran his hands all over her body, asking her constantly if where he was applying pressure. Antonio was by Audrielle's side the entire time, holding her hand for reassurance.

"Ma'am, you are dehydrated and are malnourished. Do you know the damage that can cause to not only you but your baby?" Audrielle just shrugged her shoulders. She was tired and wanted to go back to the safety of her bed.

The doctor then went through the complications that could be caused such as blood clots, premature birth or even a miscarriage. And suddenly Audrielle felt so guilty. She didn't want to kill something so innocent even though her body just ached for the pain to stop. The doctor had then decided that it would be best if Audrielle stayed the night in the surgery area. That way she could be monitored by nurses if anything went bad and they could help her become healthy again and not risk losing the baby. They connected Audrielle to an IV which helped rehydrate her.

As Audrielle lied in the hospital bed with a bunch of needles and wires connected to her, she started to dose off, her eyes becoming heavy. A door opened but Audrielle was too tired to open her eyes to see who it was. Thinking it was just a nurse, Audrielle let sleep consume her when she suddenly felt someone gently hold her hand.

The smell of his cologne was strong and filled the room. Still holding onto her hand, he dragged a chair over and sat down right next to her. Leo stared at her face. Her eyelashes kissed underneath her eyes. Her lips were pouted and cracked and somewhere deep down inside of Leo, he felt guilty as he knew this was all his fault.

Bringing her hand up to his lips, he gently kissed her hand which awakened her. Her eyes fluttered open and Leo melted away at the sight of her honey pot orbs.

"I didn't mean to wake you." Leo mumbled.

"It's fine."

There was an awkward silence between the two when Audrielle started to sob. Quickly, Leo stood up and started to wipe her tears away, cooing meaningless promises to her.

"I'm leaving in two days." Audrielle said, staring coldly into Leo's eyes. His eyes darkened and his jaw tensed. He didn't want Audrielle to flee again, she just came back! Plus, she was carrying a baby, Audrielle needed protection from the cruel world.

"N-no no. You can't."

"I can and I will. You can't stop me."

"Where are you going to stay? With my mother again?" Leo suddenly snapped, his anger washing over him.

"No, actually. I am visiting my own parents since I haven't seen them for what? A year?" Audrielle muttered, fed up with Leo's anger.

"Well then I'm coming." Leo shrugged, sitting back down in the chair.

"I'm going by myself."

"Like hell you are! Need I remind you that you are pregnant? With my child? I will be coming to protect the both of you."

"Well then if you really want me to have this baby then you will stay the hell away from me for the next eight months!"

Leo was surprised. Eight entire months? Audrielle was delusional.

"Fuck you Audrielle." Leo spat, abruptly standing up before making his way for the door.

"I'll see you in eight months when I've given birth to this baby. From now on Leo, stay the hell away from me."