♥ Chapter 68 ♥

Alessio Vecchio.

Finally, we arrived at the hospital. As I hold Isabella in my arms again, my body shakes under the weight of despair and urgency. Every movement is torture, and every second is an eternity. Upon entering the hospital, my voice is a desperate scream:

'' I need a doctor now!

My voice echoes through the lobby, and in an instant that seems like an eternity, a doctor, accompanied by some nurses, appears with a stretcher. As carefully as possible, I place Isabella on the stretcher, feeling her cold, weak hands in contrast to the warmth of my own hands.

'' What happened to her? '' The doctor asks, but the hatred and frustration in my eyes are evident. Now is not the time for questions; it's time to act and save my wife.

Eric, with an expression of concern and irritation, takes responsibility.

'' She was shot and lost a lot of blood. Urgently requires treatment.

The mention that Isabella is pregnant seems like a painful reminder. 

'' She is pregnant. '' I say, almost breathless:

The doctor nods and quickly walks away, leaving me even more anxious and helpless. The room is a whirlwind of activity, but I feel as if time has stopped, and the momentary relief of knowing she is being cared for is overshadowed by the pain of not knowing if she will survive.

I start pacing, unable to calm down. The despair is palpable, almost physical, and every second without news is a cruel blow. Anxiety becomes a constant shadow that seems to consume everything around me.

Eric approaches, worried about my condition.

'' Alessio, try to calm down.

I turn to him, anger and despair pouring into every word.

'' Don't ask me to stay calm! My wife could die with my son! Don't ask me to stay calm!

The hours drag by slowly, every minute without an update is endless torture. Expectation turns into constant torment, and I'm trapped in anguish that seems to have no end. The fear of losing Isabella and our child is an unbearable burden, and the wait becomes an endless nightmare.

After the endless torment of hours of waiting, the doctor finally returns. His gaze, although tired, conveys a lightness that I hadn't been able to see before.

'' She'll be fine. '' He says, and the words are a balm to my tormented soul. But the doubt still consumes me.

'' And the baby? How is the baby? '' I ask in a desperate voice

The doctor smiles with genuine relief.

'' The baby is fine too. Both are fine. You can see it now. She's in room 307.

Without hesitation, I head towards the room, leaving the doctor and Eric behind. Each step is a mixture of anxiety and hope, and the weight of despair is still there, but now there is a spark of relief.

When I enter the room, the scene in front of me is a mix of pain and relief. Isabella is lying in bed, receiving a blood transfusion. Her once pale color is returning to normal, and the sight of her skin regaining the vibrancy I once knew is a testament to her recovery.

I approached with extreme caution, my eyes fixed on his face. I take her hand and bring it to my lips, a gesture filled with desperate tenderness.

Suddenly, an overwhelming feeling comes over me. My legs give out, and I collapse to my knees beside the bed, the relief, and emotion becoming too much to bear.

The tears come down again, and I cry not just from the pain and fear I felt, but from the deep relief of knowing that she is safe and that our son is okay too. The feeling of finally being free from the agony of not knowing her fate is a huge weight that lifts away, leaving only the pure joy of having the chance to remain by her side.

My chest is still tight with pain and guilt, and I struggle to calm down. I wipe the tears running down my face and sit in the armchair next to Isabella's bed, determined to wait until she wakes up. Even though I'm relieved, exhaustion prevents me from sleeping. I watch her, stroking her hand, while my thoughts revolve around her.

After a few minutes that seem like an eternity, Isabella begins to move. His eyes slowly open, and the lump in my throat is almost physical in the look of pain and weakness.

'' Alessio… '' She calls me in a voice so weak that I can barely hear it, and the sound of my name on her lips makes my heart beat wildly. Guilt and despair engulf me like a relentless storm, and I can't stay silent.

'' I'm sorry. Because of me, you went through something like this. Forgive me, my love. It's all my fault. I should have come to save you as quickly as possible. I'm sorry I put you in danger. '' My voice comes out trembling and filled with a pain that seems to consume every fiber of my being.

'' Alessio…'' She calls to me again, and the fragility in her voice is a painful scream that makes my own pain intensify.

I stare at her, the weight of guilt becoming almost unbearable, as if I'm sinking into an endless abyss. Her every tear is a blade that cuts my soul.

'' I love you… Thank you for coming to save me.'' Her declaration of love surprises me a lot. 

Her eyes fill with tears, and the pain in my heart intensifies. Seeing her cry makes me feel great despair.

'' Thank you for coming… I thought you wouldn't come. I felt so scared, Alessio. 

With tears streaming uncontrollably down my face, I lean over her and kiss her forehead tenderly.

'' I will never abandon you. I love you, Isabella. I love you so much. Furthermore, I'm crazy about you. You are my wife and the mother of my son. '' I say softly.

Her expression abruptly changes to a new despair. She seems to remember something, and the panic in her eyes drives me crazy.

'' My son! Our son! Alessio, is our son okay? ''Her voice is filled with intense fear, her despair is immense. 

'' He is well. Both are fine. '' I calmed her, holding her hands tightly, trying to convey all the certainty.

Isabella sighs, and the look of fear in her eyes begins to fade, replaced by a mixture of relief. 

Isabella sighs, and the look of fear in her eyes begins to fade, replaced by a mixture of relief. With tiredness taking over her body, she closes her eyes and falls asleep again, breathing more calmly.

Once again, I lean over her and kiss her forehead, then her cheek, feeling a wave of emotion wash over me. I lay my head on the edge of the hospital bed, watching his serene face, and tiredness finally caught up with me. After so much stress, my body gives in, and I fall asleep, still holding her hand, finally finding some peace.