THE SECRET IN HER WOMB

“Put the gun down,” Rafe warned, their hands raised as he stepped backward slowly.

“Leave here now!” Mr. Desmond ordered at Rafe, who still stood there.

“Go out,” Derek said to him.

“I can't,” Rafe muttered back to him.

“Okay then, you want to watch your boss join my father,” he said as the same lady returned.

Her face was still swollen, her eyes widening when she saw Mr. Desmond pointing his gun toward Derek.

“What are you doing, Desmond?” she asked as she approached him.

“Let him go join father and deliver my message to him,” he said, his voice trembling with rage.

He shut his eyes slowly as his finger tightened on the trigger.

For a brief second, the room fell silent as the lady ran forward and threw herself in front of Derek.

“No!! Don't!!” Rafe yelled, running, but before he could do anything, the shots went out:

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! The shots echoed as the lady fell to the ground and blood gushed out. Desmond opened his eyes to see his sister on the ground in a pool of blood.

“Nelly!!” he called running to her, shaking her body as she slowly opened her mouth.

“Forgive… them… I took… the bullet… for him… I'll join…” She paused as Rafe quickly ran to her, lifted her up, and took her into the car.

“To Elix Hospital,” Derek said to his driver.

“Please save her,” Mr. Desmond cried, running toward the car as the driver zoomed off quickly, leaving Derek and Rafe.

Derek dialed Dr. Felix’s phone number. After one ring, Felix answered the call.

“Hello Felix, please there is a gunshot patient being brought to your hospital. Please try everything possible to save her life, I'll be there shortly,” Derek said.

“Alright, we're on it,” Felix answered as the call went dead.

Derek dialed Ray’s number.

“Get to me now, 27 Palmer Street,” Derek ordered.

“Yes boss,” his voice answered, and the call ended.

“We need to wait a little while,” Derek announced as Rafe stood and lifted the gate, making it rest on the wall while securing a large portion of the entrance, but not completely.

Few minutes later, Derek’s car began approaching as it stopped in front of them. Rafe and Derek slid in as it zoomed off.

They finally arrived at the hospital and saw Desmond pacing in the waiting area in front of the ward.

“Any news?” Rafe asked him as they approached.

He shook his head, wiping tears from his eyes.

Just then a nurse came out, and Desmond rushed at her.

“How's she? Is my sister alive?” he pressed, but the nurse ignored him, running down the hall.

“Is my sister dead?” Desmond exhaled.

The nurse returned with a covered tray and went into the ward.

**Two hours later**

The door creaked open as Dr. Felix stepped out and Desmond sprang on him.

“How's my sister?” Desmond asked.

“All thanks to Mr. Derek, your sister is alive and fine, but for now she needs all the rest she can get.”

“Thank goodness!” Desmond exhaled, relief washing over him.

“Thank you so much,” Derek appreciated, extending his hand for a handshake, and Dr. Felix shook it.

“Mr. Derek, I need to see you in my office,” Dr. Felix revealed as Derek nodded.

“Right behind you,” Derek answered, following while Rafe walked behind him.

They got to Felix’s office and went in.

“Please have your seat,” Felix said, gesturing to the chairs. Derek sat while Rafe stood.

“I'm sorry about the incident that occurred at your company. I know how hard it can be, please take heart,” he began.

“Thanks,” Derek answered, forcing a smile.

“I didn't want to shatter the patient's brother, but in the end, he needs to know.” Felix paused as he tapped his glasses backward a bit. This was his usual habit, especially when about to break bad news.

“Is she fine?” Derek asked again, noticing he tapped his glasses the same way he did when he broke the news that his father didn't make it and also when he revealed a sick cancer member of his company had just a few months to live.

“The mother is fine but we lost her baby!” Felix finally revealed.

“Mother? Baby?” Derek asked, his eyes widening as he exchanged a look with Rafe, who was also surprised.

“Yes, she was two months pregnant,” Felix revealed.

“We have to tell this to her brother,” Rafe whispered to Derek.

“True, please call him here,” Derek said. Then realization struck him; this was Rafe’s first time in the hospital, and he knew how confusing the place could be.

“Do you know your way to the ward?” Derek asked.

Rafe gave a brief nod before turning and walking toward the door. He stepped out into the corridor and began searching for the ward.

The hospital was massive, with long white hallways stretching in different directions. Nurses hurried past pushing carts while patients' families sat anxiously on metal chairs.

He turned left… then right… only to realize he had reached another ward entirely.

Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair and continued searching.

After several turns through identical corridors, he finally stopped a passing nurse.

“Please do you know the ward where a lady Mr. Derek brought was admitted to?” Rafe asked, but the nurse scanned him from head to toe.

“Who are you? We don't give such vital information without proof, please leave,” she dismissed.

“Wait,” a voice called. As they turned, Rafe recognized the nurse. She was the one who had ignored Desmond earlier and later returned with a covered tray.

“He's with Mr. Derek,” she said to the nurse, who suddenly began trembling.

“Yes, Chief Nurse.”

The earlier nurse turned to Rafe. “Follow me.”

They finally arrived after a few steps, Desmond was seated.

“Hey, you need to come with me,” Rafe said to Desmond, jolting him out of his thoughts.

Quickly he stood up. “Let's go.”

“I guess I can leave now,” the nurse said, turning to leave.

“Please wait… can you please take us to Dr. Felix's office?” Rafe requested, his tone soft.

“Alright,” she answered, walking as they followed, and soon they got to the door.

“Here,” she said, pointing toward the door.

“Thank you so much,” Rafe appreciated.

“The pleasure is mine,” she said as she walked away.

Rafe opened the door and saw Derek already chatting with Felix.

Rafe walked in as he stood, and so did Desmond.

“Have your seat,” Felix offered as Desmond said quickly.

“I called you to…” He paused, tapping his glasses. “I'm sorry but we lost your sister's baby.”

Desmond's jaw tightened. “What baby?” he asked, his voice laced with confusion.

“Your sister was two months pregnant,” Felix blurted out.

“That's a lie doctor, my sister is a virgin waiting for her prince charming,” Desmond revealed as Felix met Derek's gaze, then shifted back to Desmond.

“You mean you never knew she was pregnant?” Felix asked.

“Nelly? Pregnant?!” After saying this, everywhere went black as he collapsed to the floor.