Chapter 24

The incidents left Alessio nervous with his mother; he made it clear that she was not allowed to approach his house. Now, as difficult as it was, Alessio carried Isabella everywhere, even to the most dangerous places.
Isabella was witnessing some of Alessio's activities in the world of crime. He didn't want his wife to see, but he found it safer for Isabella to be by his side so he could protect her.
Her belly was already large, and Isa frequently felt unwell. The urge to go to the bathroom was constant, as if her bladder were leaking. She searched for a bathroom in the large, damp, empty warehouse.
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the dark warehouse corridor. Alessio, a man of imposing stature dressed in a dark suit, walked with determination, followed by his loyal henchmen. The atmosphere was imbued with the tension of an impending criminal operation.
Alessio stopped in front of his men, casting a serious look as cigarette smoke danced around them. The leader gestured with his hands, detailing meticulous plans for the next heist. His somber face conveyed the seriousness of the situation.
— Giuseppe, you'll stand guard at the entrance. No surprises, understood? — Alessio commanded, fixing his gaze on the robust henchman who nodded firmly. — Bella, are you okay? — he asked upon seeing Isabella standing in the hallway, observing the operation.
— I need to use the bathroom, is there one around here? — Isa revealed, shyly.
— Of course, come with me. Giuseppe, keep organizing the plans, I'll be right back, — Alessio directed.
— Sure, boss. I'll keep an eye out for any strange movements, — Giuseppe replied confidently.
Meanwhile, Isabella felt a different discomfort. She tried to stay calm, but a pain made her clutch her belly and gasp. Concerned, Alessio noticed his wife's expression of discomfort.
— Bella, are you feeling okay?Alessio asked, worried.
— It hurts here, — Isa commented, pointing to her pelvis.
— Let's go to the hospital, — Alessio ordered.
— It must be nothing. It could just be because my bladder is full. I'll empty it, and everything will be fine, okay? — Isa winked at her man and entered the filthy bathroom, with no toilet seat and no sink.
Alessio waited outside, listening for any signs of distress from his wife, and occasionally knocking to check if everything was okay. When Isa emerged from the bathroom, she had a worried expression, which also worried Alessio.
As the men moved frantically, Isabella was now sitting in a chair in the office, breathing deeply to control the pain.
— It'll be okay, Bella. Giuseppe, I can't join you in the operation. I'll take my wife to the hospital. Can you handle everything? — Alessio entrusted his eldest and most trusted henchman with the task of collecting overdue payments from a drug dealer.
— Is everything okay, boss? — Giuseppe asked, solicitously.
— It'll be okay, don't worry,— Alessio affirmed, holding Isabella's arm and leading her to the car.
As they passed through the warehouse corridors, Isa saw an open door and unintentionally glimpsed what was happening inside.
A man was tied up with his arms raised, his face bloody, and his eyes no longer opening due to swelling. A woman with a baby in her arms and another child sitting behind her on a cement bench pleaded for her husband's life, saying how hardworking he was and that he would pay back everything he owed.
Isa tried to look away, but the scene intrigued her. The man tied to the ropes tried to say something and was interrupted by a lash, which caused blood to spurt onto the woman and child. At the exact moment she witnessed the scene, Isabella's stomach churned suddenly, and she couldn't contain herself, expelling the entirety of her lunch and breakfast.
— Isabella, my dear! Are you okay? — Alessio asked, revealing a softer side of himself. He knew what had caused his wife's stomach upset, so he hurried to remove her from that hostile environment and took her to the hospital.
The tension between the world of crime and the impending arrival of a family created an unusual contrast in Alessio's life. Upon arriving at the hospital, Isabella was promptly attended to and placed under observation. The doctors immediately ordered some tests for Isa and the baby to confirm if everything was okay.
Wearing a white coat and sporting a serious expression, a doctor entered the waiting room. His sharp gaze swept the area until he found Alessio, who immediately stood up, revealing the anxiety in his eyes.
— Mr. Alessio? — the doctor called, moving toward the concerned leader.
— How are Isabella and the baby, doctor?— Alessio nodded and preempted with the question, his voice laden with anxiety.
The doctor took a deep breath before responding, carefully choosing his words.
— I'm sorry to be the bearer of not-so-good news, Mr. Alessio, but there have been some complications in Isabella's pregnancy. She is stable, but the baby is facing some difficulties. The situation is delicate, and mommy will need to be on absolute bed rest until the baby arrives.
Alessio's demeanor instantly transformed, a look of shock and apprehension taking over his features. His heart beat faster as he tried to assimilate the bad news.
— We're doing everything in our power to prolong the pregnancy. Delivering the baby now would be risky; it's still too premature. But the placenta had a slight rupture, and mommy can't even walk around the house, Mr. Alessio. With the right care, the baby will be born on time and healthy,— the doctor added, trying to convey a sense of hope amidst adversity.
Alessio, although shaken, maintained his composure.
— Can I see her?" he inquired, seeking some solace in being by his wife's side.
— Yes, Mr. Alessio. Please, follow me,— the doctor said, guiding Alessio toward the intensive care unit, where Isabella and the baby's lives hung suspended between fragility and hope.