Chapter 42
We'd arrived at the hospital a few hours earlier, and Chloe was already being examined by Monica, her obstetrician. Jullian was by my side, along with Elena, who couldn't stop staring at the door, anxious for news about her sister. When the door opened, Monica reassured us:
“She's fine, and so is the baby. She's still a little dehydrated, but the IV is helping a lot. They're both fighters,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
“When will she wake up? I know it takes time, but it's taking longer than I expected. I want to see her awake. I can't stand seeing her like this…” I said, my voice breaking.
Jullian patted my shoulder, trying to console me:
“Easy, my friend. Let her rest. She's been through hell these past few days. Take Elena home—she needs rest too. We'll take care of Chloe. If she wakes up, we'll call you right away.”
“All right. I know you're both excellent doctors. I trust you completely. I'll take Elena and come back later.”
I took the hand of the girl beside me. Her eyes were sad and teary. I knew she didn't want to go, but she needed to rest. I knelt in front of her, stroked her hair, and said:
“I'm going to take you to my apartment. You can take a shower, rest a little, and then we'll come back, okay?”
She nodded, hugged me, and smiled. I stood up and we left.
First, we stopped at the mall and I bought her a few changes of clothes, since she didn't have anything.
We headed to my place, and as soon as we arrived, I showed her the bedrooms and asked her to choose one.
She picked the best one. I set the bags on the bed and noticed her expression had already softened.
“Alex, thank you for what you're doing for us.”
Elena was still a child, but very intelligent for her age.
She looked so much like Chloe—in the way she spoke, in her mannerisms. I found myself wondering what she'd think if I adopted her.
When I looked at her, I felt that longing in my heart.
But I'd leave that subject for later, when we were all doing better.
I left the room to give her some privacy and went to the kitchen to make us something to eat. I was just finishing up the pasta when she appeared, wearing one of the outfits I'd bought.
“I made some pasta, but I don't know if you like it.”
“I love pasta, and I'm really hungry,” she said, sitting on a stool at the island. “Any news about my sister?”
“Not yet, but as soon as we finish here, I'm heading to the hospital.”
“Can I go with you?”
“I'll take you tomorrow. I called Martha, and she's going to stay here. You need to rest—you didn't rest properly after the transplant. We don't want another sick person, right?”
“Yes, that's true. I need to be well so I can help my sister take care of the baby.”
“You're a very special girl, Elena. I'm glad you're here.”
I ruffled her hair and finished eating—I needed to leave. I was heading toward the counter to wash the dishes when the intercom buzzed.
The doorman told me Martha and Arthur had arrived. I buzzed them in.
“Ah, it's good to see you're okay, Alex,” Martha said when she arrived.
“Hi, Martha. I'm fine. Just worried about Chloe.”
“Everything's going to be fine. Don't worry. She'll be here with you soon.”
“I've got everything set up. Make yourselves at home. Thanks for the help. I don't know what I'd do without you at a time like this.”
“Don't worry, Alex. Go take care of your child's mother—she's the one who needs you most right now,” Martha replied.
As Martha finished speaking, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
I pulled it out and looked at the screen—a message from Dr. Monica: “Chloe just woke up.” I didn't say a word, just grabbed the car keys and rushed out.
I made it to the hospital in minutes, desperate to see my girl.
I found my friend in the hallway, staring at me in shock.
“Holy shit! It hasn't even been ten minutes since Monica told me she sent you a message about Chloe. And you're already here! How many tickets did you rack up?” Jullian asked, eyebrows raised.
“No idea. I just want to see my wife and my child,” I replied, trying to control the tremor in my voice.
Jullian let out a brief sigh and placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Let's go, buddy. Just… try not to upset her. She doesn't need that right now.”
I crossed the hallway barely feeling my feet touch the floor, my heart hammering in my chest like it wanted to break free. I stopped in front of her door and froze, my hand hovering over the handle.
Suddenly, a wave of fear crashed over me. Fear of rejection. Fear that the pain I'd caused her would come back to haunt me. What if she didn't want to see me? What if she wouldn't forgive me?
“Alex,” Jullian murmured beside me, his voice heavy with sincerity, “you need to face this.
Go in there and ask for forgiveness. It's not just for her—it's for you too.
She might not forgive you right away. You never know.
After everything she's been through…” He paused, as if choosing his words carefully.
“She's probably still hurting. But you two have a child now, man.
You're going to have to find a way to work things out.
And let's face it, you screwed up big time!
Honestly? I'm kind of rooting for her not to forgive you right away.” He let out a loud laugh that echoed through the heavy silence.
“That's what friends are for, huh? Idiot...” I respond, forcing a smile.
I take a deep breath, trying to choke down the guilt that wraps around my throat like a tightening rope. My hand trembles as I close my eyes for a moment, searching for courage deep within. I let the air escape slowly from my lungs. It's now or never.
“What if she won't take me back?” I ask, still staring at the door, my eyes fixed on nothing.
Jullian places his hand on my shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.
“Then win her back. You two love each other, Alex. And love... sometimes all it needs is a second chance.”
I meet Jullian's eyes, and he encourages me with a slight nod.
I slide the door open and step forward, feeling my heart pounding in my chest. Chloe is reclined in the hospital bed, with Monica sitting beside her.
When our eyes meet, she stops mid-sentence, and we stay there, locked in each other's gaze, for what feels like an eternity.
Monica stands up with an understanding smile.
“I'll leave you two to talk. You need this moment alone. But if you want, I can throw him out, Chloe.” My friend smiles and looks at Chloe, waiting for a response.
I feel an almost uncontrollable urge to shove Monica off a cliff for suggesting that, but I manage to keep my composure and shoot her a dirty look.
Chloe watches me, her expression serious—a mixture of surprise and anger—and says to my friend:
“It's okay, Monica. You can go. I'll be fine.”
She passes by me, but not before whispering:
“If you do or say anything that might hurt her, I'll make sure you never meet your son, Alex.”
“Understood, ma'am. The last thing I want is to lose them.”
I walk to the armchair beside the bed, still holding Chloe's gaze. She doesn't say anything, so I pull it closer until it's touching the bed. I sit down, bracing myself for what's to come, and say, my voice trembling slightly:
“Chloe...” I pause, hoping she'll respond, but the silence persists. Her gaze remains fixed on me, cold and distant. I feel a knot form in my stomach, and my breathing falters. I'm braced for the worst, but I need to try, so I continue.
“I know you must hate me right now. And you have every right to—I'm not denying what I did. I know everything I did was terribly wrong.” My voice breaks, but I force myself to continue.
“I should have listened when you wanted to talk, but my wounded pride got in the way. The fear of...” I pause, fighting against the pain squeezing my chest. I take a deep breath, as if that could help me hold it together.
“After falling in love with you, I was terrified.
The fear of losing you consumed me. And ironically, that's exactly what I did... I pushed you away.” My hands tremble, and I feel my throat tighten, as if the weight of the words is crushing me.
“I just want one more chance to prove that my love is real.
That I can make all three of you happy. I'll accept whatever punishment you want to give me, no matter what, but please, let me try again. Let me see your smile every day, share in your joy, love you the way I did before. I promise that...”
“Shut up, Alex, please. I don't want to hear any more...”
The sound of her voice, soft as it is, cuts like a blade. In that instant, I feel my world collapse. The hope I'd been holding onto, however small, drains away completely. Her words repeat in my mind, cruel and final.
The tear I'd been fighting to hold back rolls down my face, and I try to wipe it away before she notices, but it's too late. The pride that once kept me from listening to her now leaves me trapped, unable to hide my weakness.
“At least let me... take care of you while you recover...” My voice comes out barely above a whisper, broken, desperate.
She looks at me again, her expression serious. Her next words carry the bitter certainty that I've lost what little hope remained.
“You lost that chance when you let me leave without even letting me explain, Alex.”
Emptiness washes over me, and I realize that what I feared most has actually happened: she's gone, and I'm left behind, trapped in my own regret.