Chapter 30
OBSTACLES
After being in an induced coma for close to a month, Dexz was doing all he had to do to get out of the hospital, but he felt defeated and not like himself. His body hurt in more ways than he could ever imagine, as his therapist and Pretti had him walking the hospital.
As Dexz slowly shuffled down the hallway on a walker, every step felt like an uphill battle. His body trembled from the effort, his legs felt weighed down, and his heart raced with frustration. Pretti walked beside him, her eyes filled with pride and concern.
“Baby, you're doing amazing,” Pretti whispered, her voice laced with unwavering support.
Dexz gritted his teeth, his determination warring with his despair. “I can't do this,” he muttered, his voice cracking. “I'd rather... I'd rather them niggas just killed me.”
Pretti’s grip on his arm tightened, her gaze never leaving his. “Don’t say that, Dexten! Remember why you’re doing this. Our baby needs you. I need you. Ethan needs you. You can’t give up now.”
He paused, his eyes locking onto hers, and for a moment, it was as if time stood still. When he opened his eyes, he remembered that was the first thing Pretti told him.
“We’re having a baby, Dexz.” Her words were like music to his ears.
The weight of their future hung heavily in the air between them. And then it hit him like a tidal wave–the realization that he had something to fight for, something that made the pain and the struggle worthwhile.
“You're right,” he replied dryly.
A soft smile tugged at the corners of Pretti's lips as she squeezed his arm gently. “That's the Dexz I know.”
As they continued their slow, difficult journey down the hallway, Dexz’s determination burned brighter.
He focused on each step, pushing through the pain and channeling the love and hope surrounding him.
Just as he started to gain a rhythm, a sudden jolt coursed through his body, and his legs gave out beneath him.
Pretti gasped, her eyes wide with fear as she rushed to his side. The therapist acted quickly, easing Dexz to the ground as he convulsed, his body tensing and trembling uncontrollably.
“Dexz! Oh my God, baby!” Pretti's voice cracked with panic, her hands trembling as she held onto him, her heart pounding in her chest.
The therapist knelt beside Dexz, trying to keep him safe as the seizure ran its course. And then, as suddenly as it had started, the trembling subsided, leaving Dexz pale and weak against the floor.
Pretti’s tear-filled eyes met his, her voice shaking. “Was that another seizure?”
“Yes, it looks like they are going to have to put him on medication when he leaves,” the therapist replied.
“What just happened to me?” Dexz asked, confused like he always was when he came back to his senses.
His chest heaved as he fought to catch his breath. His eyes locked onto Pretti’s with a renewed determination.
“You had a seizure, but you were doing so well before you fell. I know things are rough right now, but please don’t give up on us.”
“I won't give up. I’ma fight this for you.”
Pretti kissed his lips as tears streamed down her cheeks. She sat against the wall with him, gently lying on his chest until a nurse came with a wheelchair to get him back to the room.
“We’re in this together. It’s forever us, and never them,” she told him.
As Dexz held Pretti's gaze, he realized that he wasn't alone in this battle. With Pretti by his side and their unborn child as a beacon of hope, he found the strength to face each step of his recovery.
Unfortunately, when he got home, it wasn’t an easy road. He kept his head up as high as he could. However, revenge was still on his mind, causing most of his days to be dark.