The Weight of Unspoken Truths

005

Miguel’s mind was restless at the hospital, even as he stood in the long white hallway, his thoughts were far away.

He checked his wristwatch again, it's too early for lunch or for her to be asleep, yet she had not picked up his calls.

He pulled his phone from the pocket of his coat and stared at the screen like it might answer him back, but nothing.

He dialed her number again, the phone rang once, twice, three times, yet, there was no answer.

Miguel dragged a hand through his hair in frustration.

“Hope she’s okay?” he murmured to no one in particular, his voice sounded small in the empty corridor.

He tried again, and got the same result, the ringing stopped, replaced by silence. He exhaled sharply and slipped the phone back into his pocket, only to pull it out again almost immediately. His fingers trembled as he scrolled through his call log. Isabella's name stared back at him over and over again.

Isabella had never for once left his call unanswered before

“Doctor Miguel, is everything okay with you?” a soft voice broke his thoughts.

Miguel turned sharply and saw a female nurse standing a few steps away. She held a clipboard close to her chest, her eyes studying his face like she could already see something was wrong.

Miguel forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Yes… I’m fine” he managed to say.

As he spoke, tiny beads of sweat formed on his forehead and slid slowly down the side of his face. This usually happens when he is nervous, he wipes them away with the back of his hand.

The nurse nodded slowly, she wasn't fully convinced, but she didn’t push further. She turned and walked away, her footsteps fading down the hall.

Miguel stood there for a moment, then suddenly turned and walked quickly toward his office.

Inside, he shut the door behind him and leaned against it, his heart was beating too fast. He loosened his tie, then pulled it off completely. He took off his white coat and tossed it on the chair, then removed his stethoscope and dropped it on the desk.

This was wrong, Isabella always answered him, even if she was busy, she would call back, even if she was tired, she would send him a message, but this silence felt wrong.

“I need to be sure she’s safe ” he muttered.

He grabbed his phone again and was about to dial her number when the door suddenly flung open, he looked up sharply.

The same nurse walked in, her brows pulled together in concern.

“Are you sure everything is alright, doc?” she asked again.

Miguel looked at her, then looked away. His shoulders sagged slightly, like the weight he was carrying had become too much to hide.

“No,” he said honestly.

The nurse closed the door behind her and stepped closer.

“I’ve been calling my sister ” Miguel continued, his voice strained. “She’s not taking my calls. It’s so unusual of her.”

The nurse tilted her head gently. “I see.”

She paused, then gave a small shrug. “Maybe she’s busy or something.”

Miguel let out a humorless laugh.

“She’s pregnant!” Miguel said suddenly, almost shouting, taking the nurse aback as gasped softly, her eyes widening.

“Oh.”

Miguel ran a hand over his face, pacing the room. “She’s pregnant, and she won’t answer my calls. How do you expect me to be calm?”

“Calm down, doc” the nurse said quickly, raising her hands a little. “You look terrified.”

She stepped closer, her tone softer now.

“She’s pregnant ” she repeated. “More reason she might not be taking your calls. You know pregnant women and hormones. Mood swings. Stress. Maybe she doesn’t feel like talking right now.”

Miguel stopped pacing and looked at her.

“You really think so?” he asked.

She nodded. “It happens all the time. Don’t bother yourself too much. She’ll call you back as soon as she feels better.”

For a moment, her words settled in his mind.

What if she was right? Pregnant women did have hormonal imbalances. Isabella had been going through emotional stress lately, maybe she was just tired, and maybe he was just overthinking.

“Maybe you’re right,” he said quietly, letting out a soft breath.

Even at that , a part of him still felt restless, that feeling didn’t leave, Miguel straightened his coat and picked up his stethoscope again.

“I’ll finish my shift and go home,” he said, more to himself than to the nurse.

She smiled lightly. “That’s a good idea.”

As she left the room, Miguel stood still for a few seconds, staring at his phone again before slipping it into his pocket.

He forced himself to work, but no matter how hard he tried, his mind kept drifting back to Isabella.

***

Isabella slowly opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was the light. It was too bright, stabbing into her eyes. She blinked, her head pounding like someone was hitting it from the inside.

“Where…” her voice came out weak, barely above a whisper. She looked around, her vision still blurry.

Her heart skipped when she recalled the kidnapping incident, she tried to move, but that was when she realized that her hands were tied behind the chair. She looked down and saw her legs were tied too, fastened tightly to the legs of the chair.

“No… no…” she whispered.

She struggled against the ropes, twisting her wrists, but they didn’t budge, Pain shot through her arms. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as fear wrapped around her.

“Help! Somebody help me!” she screamed 

Her voice echoed in the room, bouncing off the walls, but there was no answer, only silence.

Then the door opened, and Andrea walked in calmly, like he owned the place. He was holding a glass containing champagne.

Her eyes locked onto him, anger and fear crashing together inside her.

“Finally, you’re awake ” he said casually, taking a slow sip. Isabella glared at him with everything she had.

“You!” she yelled. “You kidnapped me!”

Andrea scoffed, shaking his head.

“Kidnapped?” he said with a small laugh. “Oh, come off it. I only brought you here to clarify something.” he said, unmoved.

Isabella hands clenched into fists behind her back.

“My brother will have your head cut off if he finds out about this ” she said through gritted teeth.

Andrea chuckled, clearly amused.

“Still running your mouth, huh?” he asked, he stepped closer and held the glass of wine toward her face.

“Care for some wine?”

Isabella turned her face sharply to the other side, refusing to look at it. Andrea raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, you don’t do wine because you’re pregnant?” he said. “Don’t worry, it’s zero alcohol.”

He laughed hysterically, the sound echoing in the room. Isabella’s heart skipped, how on earth did he find out she was pregnant?

Her lips trembled slightly, but she quickly masked it. Even if he knew she was pregnant, she would never let him know he was responsible for it.

“You’re talking nonsense ” she spat.

Andrea tilted his head. “Oh really? Am I?” he clapped his hands once, the door opened again, and a guard walked in, he handed Andrea a file.

Andrea waved his hand dismissively, and the guard left immediately. Andrea turned back to Isabella, his eyes were dark, Isabella shifted uncomfortably on the chair, as the ropes bite into her skin.

“You said you’re not pregnant ” Andrea said slowly. “But these test results show you’re two months gone… with my child.”

He threw the papers at her face, the papers fluttered down to the floor. Isabella laughed, the sound of her laughter was broken, laced with pain.

“And so what if I am pregnant?” she said. “Do you think this baby is yours?” She laughed again.

“You must be a joker to think you are the one responsible for this pregnancy. Andrea, we never had sex.”

Andrea’s face twisted in anger. “But you drugged me!” he yelled.

He stepped forward, his voice shaking.

“You drugged me and took advantage of me!” he shouted. 

“That was all your fault, Andrea!” Isabella yelled back, she lifted her chin despite the pain.

“For three freaking years ” she said, her voice trembling with emotion, “we were married and you didn’t even touch me. Not once.”

 “What would you have me do?” she asked.

Andrea stared at her, his jaw clenched.

“Look into my eyes and tell me this baby isn’t mine ” he said angrily.

“I'm sorry baby,but I have to do this, please don't be mad at mummy okay?” She said within her.

She lifted her head and met Andrea's. “The child isn’t yours,” she said firmly.

Andrea snapped. “You cheap whore!” he cursed, and In one swift movement, he lunged forward and grabbed Isabella by the hair, yanking her head back, pain exploded through her scalp.

“You’ve been cheating on me while we were still married huh?” he yelled. “You are such a bitch!”

His hand connected to her face with a slap, the sound echoed, as blood filled Isabella’s mouth, she tasted iron and smiled amidst the pain.

“Where is your conscience, Andrea?” she asked, spitting blood onto the floor. 

“You tie a pregnant woman to a chair and expect me to give you accurate answers? Unbelievable.”

Something flickered in Andrea’s eyes, guilt, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

“Guards,” Andrea called, and three armed men entered the room.

What do you think Andrea is about to do to her? Do you think Isabella made the right decision by hiding the truth?