Chapter 116 What About the Baby? Is It Safe?
Jessica lay on the emergency table, everything already prepared. The overhead light, large and glaring, shone down with a blinding intensity. Yet, she did not close her eyes. Not only did she keep them open, but she also widened them as much as possible.
Was she afraid? Of course, she was terrified, her entire body cold and trembling. But the more she felt this way, the more awake she would be, to remember this pain clearly and distinctly.
In the operating room, a crowd had gathered, obstetric professors, obstetricians, various nurses, and the anesthetist. Blood still flowed from beneath her, and her lower abdomen ached with spasms.
"Dr. Thompson, please, save this child. I can't lose it," Jessica pleaded fervently, looking at the kind-faced Dr. Thompson.
"Young lady, don't worry. I will do my utmost. Now, listen to me and don't think about anything," he reassured her.
Jessica answered, "Alright."
Soon the anesthesia took effect, but it was only local, so Jessica remained conscious throughout.
Although she lost sensation in her lower body, she could clearly see basins of bloody water being carried out, and the nurses bustling around, their faces all showing signs of anxiety.
Before long, even the gauze and cotton balls used to stop the bleeding were stained a deep red. The scene was terrifying, but she did not cry. She only trembled, desperately comforting herself, "Jessica, you must be strong. Don't be afraid. Only if you are strong will the baby be alright. Baby, you must hang in there too. Believe that Mommy and you will get through this."
She clenched her fists, frantically encouraging herself, trying to muster her strength. A blood bag was already attached to her arm. She looked up and clearly saw the blood slowly flowing into her body, but even so, it couldn't keep up with the blood loss from below.
She was so tired, so weary. Exhaustion and drowsiness overwhelmed her as her body's strength was gradually depleted. She had been holding on with all her might, but now, she was too tired, too drained to continue.
"Baby, I'm sorry. Mommy is so sorry," she murmured, tears of pain streaming from the corners of her eyes. Unable to hold on any longer, she closed her eyes and sank into an endless darkness.
She didn't know how long she had slept. When she woke again, she was in a hospital bed, her body weak and devoid of strength. The room was large, fully equipped, but Jessica felt it was too empty, devoid of any warmth.
She looked up and saw the crystal chandelier above her. Because it was nighttime, the chandelier emitted a white glow. Jessica stared at it and suddenly murmured, "This light is so glaring, just like the light in the emergency room."
She was speaking, but her eyes seemed unfocused, as if her soul had left her, drained of all vitality.
"If you don't like it, I'll have it replaced." Hearing the voice, Jessica turned her head.
When she saw Vincent's familiar, handsome face, she managed a faint smile. "It's alright, I didn't mean it. Thank you for bringing me to the hospital, and thank you for saving me. I'm really sorry, I owe you a life saving favor," she said.
Vincent stepped forward, gently tucking her disheveled hair behind her ear, comforting her, "Then get well soon. I'm still waiting for you to treat me to coffee. The last one was really good, I've been thinking about it."
Hearing this, a spark of light appeared in Jessica's previously lifeless eyes, but it quickly faded again. Get well? But could she really get well again?
Her hope, her strength, the most vital part of her life was gone. She might never recover.
Although she hadn't asked Vincent whether the doctors had saved the baby, she felt it in her bones that the baby was gone the moment she woke up and touched her belly. She hadn't been able to save him. Despite all her efforts and the energy she had expended, it was all in vain. The baby had left; the baby didn't want her anymore.
She wanted to cry but held it back with all her might.
"Vincent, I want to ask you a question," Jessica finally spoke up.
Even though she knew everything was already decided, even though she knew she shouldn't deceive herself, she still wanted to cling to a sliver of hope. Even if it was just a tiny bit, she wanted to ask.
Vincent looked at the pale and weak Jessica lying on the bed, his heart filled with words he wanted to say, words of comfort.
He knew exactly what Jessica wanted to ask, but the answer was not something she could bear. He wanted to say, 'Jessica, don't think about it. Take it easy and rest up. Jessica, don't be sad. There will be more babies in the future. Your health is the most important thing.'
But when he was about to say, he found his throat dry, so heavy that he couldn't utter a single word. Didn't she already know these things? Was this what she wanted to hear? No, definitely not.
"Alright." Vincent finally replied, trying to keep his voice as calm and steady as possible.
"Is the baby really gone?" Jessica choked as she asked. She had always told herself to be strong, but when she finally asked this question, she realized just how difficult it was.
"Is the baby no longer here?" This time, Jessica used all the strength she had left, her voice trembling as she finished the question.
After asking, she was almost completely exhausted. Yet, even so, she clung to the last bit of hope, looking at Vincent with anticipation.
Vincent opened his lips, each word he spoke weighed heavily. "I'm sorry, Jessica. I couldn't give you the answer you wanted."
Upon hearing this, Jessica could no longer hold back her tears, which fell in large drops.
"I understand," she said, her head hanging low. She had known all along, but this moment marked the final blow to her hopes.
"I want to be alone for a while, is that okay?" After a long silence, Jessica spoke.
Though Vincent worried about her state, he knew what she needed most, so he nodded. "Alright, I'll be right outside. Call me if you need anything."
Jessica said, "Okay, thank you."
In the room, once Vincent left, Jessica could no longer control herself and burst into tears. She trembled all over from sorrow and cried hard, gasping for breath between sobs.
Jessica muttered, "Baby, I'm sorry. Mommy couldn't protect you. Baby, are you blaming me? Blaming me for failing to protect you? I blames myself too. I'm sorry, it's all Mommy's fault."
Alone, Jessica let go of all her inhibitions and cried for a long, long time. Eventually, she cried herself into unconsciousness, but fortunately, Vincent found her in time.
When she woke again, it was already daylight. Bright sunlight streamed through the window. Jessica hadn't fully opened her eyes yet, only seeing a blurry figure.
She parted her lips and softly called, "Vincent."
At that moment, Gabriel suddenly turned around to look at Jessica.
