Losing Hope

Fabe tilted her head to the side, still feeling groggy. She blinks her eyes to focus on the unfamiliar place she's in.

"Where am I?" she said, holding her head.

"Miss," Layla said, checking her temperature. Fabe got a slight fever last night and was under observation due to her condition.

"Who are you?" Fabe kept blinking her eyes, becoming delirious, and couldn't recognize Layla. Then the pain hit her back to her senses.

"My baby!" she groped her bulging belly and turned to Layla, "How's my baby?"

"She is fine, Miss, but you almost lost him. Why did you follow me there?"

"I thought Bryce stay for the night, but…," Fabe's voice quivered in sadness. That Irene insults her. She purposely did that to hurt Fabe.

"Did Bryce bring me here?" Fabe remember being carried by Bryce before she fainted.

"Yes, and stayed for a while, but Madam called and asked Sir Bryce to come home because of Miss Irene."

"He didn't come back?"

"No, but he will later."

Fabe felt her whole world collapse right before her eyes. She almost lost her baby, and yet Bryce goes back to Irene.

"Is having a baby a joke to him?" she fists her hand as her belly cramps.

"Miss, stop stressing yourself, please. You get lucky this time," Lyla rubbed her belly; she might sense the cramp as the baby moved when Fabe's eyes burst into tears.

The doctor came in and advised Fabe to complete rest. Stressing herself created trauma for her baby; who knows what will happen the next time? Because of that, her morning walk was forbidden. As much as Fabe loves the morning walk, for the sake of her baby, she will bear the boredom inside her room and take the morning sunshine on the balcony.

After discovering he has a grandson, Master Rafael ordered the servant to serve the meal in Fabe's room. Lyla will watch over her around the clock.

He also warned Madam Claudia and Lady Sophie to refrain from misbehaving toward Fabe or face his wrath.

"That worthless bitch! Of all the women, why did brother marry a nobody? Such a shame! I can't imagine having a nephew from that piece of shit!" Lady Sophie whined to Madam Claudia.

"Calm down, my daughter. After the baby is born, you can do as you please. Right now, we must obey your father," Madam Claudia caressed her hair.

"Once the baby is born, Bryce will divorce her, and we will throw her on the street like trash where she belongs," Madam Claudia smiled wickedly. Lady Sophie grinned, agreeing to her mother's plan.

Another monthly check-up. Fabe asked Lyla to take her to the park. Staying inside the mansion is suffocating. Lyla knew Master Rafael wouldn't like the idea, but they could sneak for a few hours. No one will know.

Lyla told her Bryce was in London for a business trip. But she missed him so much, although Bryce never failed to send her the payment. God knows Fabe doesn't want the money but a family.

"Where is that woman?!" Master Rafael loathe impatiently. It's been three hours since Fabe's prenatal check-up, and she hasn't been home yet. He called Fabe's doctor only to find out that the session ended early since the laboratory results showed the baby was fine and healthy.

The Master demands Madam Claudia to call Fabe, but she lies and says that Fabe's phone is out of reach, which makes the Master grow furious while Lady Sophie and Madam Claudia are rejoicing secretly. In this state of Master Rafael's rage, Fabe will never get away this time.

Meanwhile, Fabe and Lyla lost track of time. They were agitated going home. Lyla told her to stay quiet once they got home and let her do the talking.

They heard Master Rafael’s scream. He demands an answer from all his servants to look for Fabe. After hearing this, Fabe rushed in and kneeled in Master Rafael's front, cowering in terror.

"You ungrateful woman! I ask you one thing to keep my grandchild safe, and you dare to disobey me!" Master Rafael dragged Fabe inside her room.

"From now on, you will never leave this house until I make sure my grandchild is safe! I set one rule, but you cannot comply! Stupid!” he ordered to lock her room.

"Master, please, let me out of here! Master, please, let me out!" Fabe beg with all her might, but no one listens.

"You, guard her! I trusted you, and you disobeyed me! If you do it again, I'll ensure your family will starve to death!" Master Rafael pointed his finger at Lyla, handed her the key, and left.

"Please, let me out, please!" Fabe twisted the knob and clobbered the door. She moved to the balcony, but it was too high. She called Bryce, but he was out of reach. Feeling hopeless, she fell asleep in tears. 

It was dinner time when the door clicked open. Fabe stooped up and saw Lyla holding a tray of food.

"I'm sorry, Miss, but the Master ordered not to let you out until your due date," Lyla found her sleeping on the floor and woke her. 

"Lyla, why are they doing this to me?" Fabe cried.

"I know, Miss. Hush now," Lyla embrace her, "You need to eat. You have to be strong. Come."

Lyla set the food on the table for Fabe.

"You must take care of your baby and yourself. On your due date, I promise to help you escape. For now, please eat."

With a heavy heart, Fabe followed Lyla. She knows she won't stand a chance against the Hamilton family in her condition right now. She thought of calling Bryce again, but what difference could he make when he didn't believe her? In her devastating situation, her baby is the right thing that only happens to her. There's no room for regrets now, but face what lies ahead, prepare herself for the worst, and learn to accept her faith.

Days passed, and being locked inside her room, loses her sanity. Bryce didn't even call or text to check on her; he was still out of the country. Her phone is her only window to the outside world. She stops posting on her social media account; she stops doing everything and loses hope.

"They will ditch me after I give birth and who knows if I can see my son again!" this thought runs through her mind continuously, and it scares her. Her growing anxiety about losing her baby is driving her crazy.

Even her next prenatal appointment was held inside her room, considering she's seven months now. Fabe stays silent as the doctor notices her affairs; she wouldn't dare to suppress the Hamilton; no one does. Being one of the most powerful families in the country, they will slander you in a snap.

Beep! Beep!

Fabe got a message from an unknown recipient. The number is from another country. She quickly opens it and drops her phone by the picture displayed on her screen. Bryce was half-naked in bed with Irene covered in a blanket up to her chest.

"I am such a fool to believe Bryce will love me!" Fabe threw all their picture frames, wailing. She clumps, pacing her room, screaming like crazy.

Lyla was perturbed and hastened to unlock the door. Fabe's feet are bleeding, stepping on the broken glasses on the floor. Fabe didn't stop wailing. Master Rafael interfered and blaster out in anger.

"What the heck?!" he hasted inside and slapped Fabe.

She felt her cheeks burn, followed by gushing blood on her thighs. Then an immense pain took over. Fabe held her breath and grasped the Master's robe, screaming in pain. Master Rafael quickly called for the driver to immediately bring her to the hospital. 

While screaming in immense pain, Fabe fainted after. 

"Miss! Miss!" Lyla shook her.