CHAPTER 3: Leaving for good

Maria’s POV

Being unconscious was something which I had come to cherish and I didn't wish to wake up to this cruel world. I wanted to die.

I opened my eyes wearily and glanced at the white ceiling which was a stark contrast to my room.

I tried to get up and mad pain protested through me, breaking down every strength I had left.

My whole body felt numb and weak and I couldn't even lift a finger. I must have been unconscious for a long time as I glanced to my left, there was a machine beside my bed beeping.

I tried to sit up, but I couldn't; the pain was too much, and tears were brimming in my eyes.

The only thing I could remember was that Susan had pushed me and that was it, the darkness closing in on me.

I was half aware of my surroundings, and I tried to call for help, but my tongue lay limp and dry in my mouth.

I heard a door open faintly, and someone walked in, but I just couldn't make out the figure.

I felt someone touch my hands, my vision was blurry and I felt like passing out.

"Maria,” I heard a soft voice, and I looked down to find Aunt Maggie standing beside me. “You are finally awake, thank goodness”. She said, her voice breaking.

"Aunt, what happened to me?" I asked sniffing. "I can't feel my body. Did anything happen to my baby?"

I could make out her figure perfectly, and a sad expression crossed her face when she heard me ask about my child.

"Maria, you don't need this now. You need plenty of rest, and when you get better, we'll talk about this”. She said in a soothing tone.

"Please, Aunt Maggie, I need to know, did anything happen to my baby?"

"Don't worry, dear, you are in safe hands. You are in the hospital now, and you and your child are fine."

I exhaled in relief and shut my eyes momentarily trying to push out the sharp sun rays.

Aunt Maggie let go of my hand and went to the window, shutting the blinds.

"How is it now?"

"Much better." I inhaled, “Ethan." I suddenly asked. "Where is Ethan, how long have I been unconscious? Is Ethan outside and —"

But she didn't let me finish.

"I told you already that you need plenty of rest, child, one question at a time, okay?"

I managed to nod and she helped me sit up.

"You have to eat something and take your medications because they are very important,” she said, sitting on the bedside. "You also need enough strength to take care of your babies”.

I looked up at her, my eyes bulging in shock and surprise.

“Babies? I don't understand," I said in a very small voice, which was barely above a whisper. "I'm expecting just one baby”.

Aunt Maggie nodded sweetly and squeezed my hand gently.

"We all thought the same, too until the doctor suggested that we had to take the babies out because you were bleeding profusely.” She smiled again. “Congratulations."

Tears swelled up in my eyes and I quickly hugged Aunt Maggie.

"My babies, can I see them now?" I asked, with excitement laced in my voice.

"Not now, Maria dear, they are so little, premature actually, and they are in incubators. Susan’s push made you go into early labor”.

I was so happy, and I momentarily forgot about the pain I was going through.

My child. Ethan's baby, perhaps this child would bring us closer and make him love me.

"Did Ethan know about this? Did he know his babies are —"

I couldn't complete my sentence and I watched as anger flashed through Aunt Maggie's face.

"He knows, Maria." She said in a small angry voice and looked away.

"So, where is he? He is coming to the hospital right away, correct? To see his babies”. I asked, smiling, but there was something that kept nagging at the back of my mind; something kept telling me that everything wasn't okay.

"He is in Miami”. Aunt Maggie said, making my eyes dance wide in shock and confusion.

"Miami." I stammered. "Wh—what is he doing in Miami?" I asked hoping that Aunt Meggie would say something positive, that she would say he was preparing a nice place for us.

"Four days ago, when you lost consciousness after Susan pushed you, the next day, they both got married.” She explained. "I had to call the ambulance, and since then, both Ethan and Susan have never visited you in the hospital.”

I couldn't even say anything but I could feel the weakness on my cheek.

I was crying and a knot tightened in my stomach, my heart clutched, making it impossible for me to breathe.

"Does he hate me that much?” I asked in a very small voice which was laced with pain and misery.

"They left today for Miami for their honeymoon”. She finished, staring at me.

"Maria, please, you have been strong for your babies”. Aunt Maggie said, reaching over to wipe the tears off my cheeks but the pain was just too much for me to bear. I began to sob.

"I have never done anything to hurt him, never cheated on him. I loved him, Aunt”. I said crying. "I love him, why did he do this to me? Why did he take my love and wash it down the drain?”

"They said they will be back in a month”. Aunt Maggie said trying to make me feel better. "He called yesterday”.

I lifted my eyes.

She nodded and continued. “He asked about you. He doesn't know about the babies yet."

Slowly I wiped my tears, overcome with mad anger.

" Do not let him know about them”. I voiced out angrily.

" Why? Maria, he is —"

" I don't care”. I yelled. "When he calls, tell him the babies are dead”.

"What! Are you crazy?" She asked, surprised.

"I'm leaving this town with my babies Aunt, and he will never see them”.