Miscarriage

When I opened my eyes, I was already lying on a white hospital bed with all kinds of wires and medical equipment attached to my body. My consciousness slowly returned.

"My Lady, you're awake?" Abella looked panicked, her face nearly as pale as a sheet when she saw me. I nodded weakly, unable to speak properly because of the oxygen tube and all the other things attached to me.

I scanned the room as far as my eyes could reach. No sign of Vaeldric. That woman wasn't here either.

Then who had brought me here? Had seeing them earlier merely been some kind of illusion?

"Lord Vaeldric... I've contacted him three times already, My Lady. The doctors need to perform surgery immediately to save both you and the baby, but..." Abella seemed to sense my concern, though her explanation trailed off.

"...please don't worry, My Lady. I'm sure the Lord will be here soon. He only escorted Miss Lysara home first."

Abella looked hesitant as she finished her sentence. I almost laughed.

How was it possible that even in a situation like this, I was still his last priority? Even when his wife and child were caught between life and death, Lysara still came first. Someone who wasn't even family.

What a perfectly reasonable choice for the most gentlemanly general in all of Valerion. A big applause for him.

There was no point in cursing or getting angry. None of it would change the situation. But tonight, I made a vow.

If my baby and I survived this, there would be no more obedient Seraphina. And if I died, I would make sure to haunt him for the rest of his life. The same went for that bitch.

"Has the guardian arrived to sign the consent form for the Caesarean procedure?" I hadn't even realized that a doctor and several nurses were standing nearby.

Abella must have pressed the call button to inform them that I had regained consciousness.

"Very soon, Doctor. I've contacted Lord Vaeldric again," Abella explained.

"I've also asked Mr. Sergio to go directly to the Varenn residence and bring him here."

If it weren't for all the medical equipment attached to my body and the pain spreading through every joint and vein, I would have torn this entire room apart. You've truly outdone yourself this time, Vaeldric.

Whether I live or die after this, I swear you'll never matter to me again. Just as little as I matter to you now, after you've humiliated me this thoroughly.

"How much longer?" the doctor asked sharply.

""We're out of time. Lady Ashborne is suffering from placental abruption. If we delay any longer, we could lose both mother and child. Is there anyone else who can act as her guardian? Perhaps someone from the Vermont family?"

"They're on their way, Doctor," Abella replied promptly.

"Inform me as soon as a guardian arrives. I'll notify the surgical team." The doctor left shortly afterward, signaling for Abella to press the call button again once someone authorized to make decisions on my behalf had arrived.

Not long after, the door opened again.

"Where is Vaeldric? What the hell is that bastard doing?"

My parents rushed in, their faces filled with worry. Abella immediately pressed the button. The doctors returned. And after that, all I knew was darkness.

***

"How could you leave your wife and unborn child in a situation like this?"

I vaguely heard my father's furious voice booming through the room. Paes Vermont.

The man known for his self-control, the man who never lost his temper and always emphasized grace and elegance, was openly exploding with rage before my eyes.

Vaeldric remained silent. Of course he did. His silence was precisely what had saved him from countless conflicts with both me and my family over the years.

Whenever confronted, he would remain quiet. He wouldn't argue, wouldn't defend himself, and clearly admit anything.

He would simply stand there as though he were yielding, until eventually my family and I softened and let the matter go. But not anymore.

After everything that had happened, I would never fall for that trick again. Enough was enough. Everything had been laid bare.

Even at the lowest point of my life, he had chosen to leave me. I was done. Done with all of it.

"You're awake, sweetheart?" Mom immediately rushed to my side the moment she realized my eyes were open.

I nodded weakly. Suddenly, my entire body began trembling violently. Cold. I felt frozen. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop shaking.

"It's alright, dear," Mom whispered soothingly.

"I think the anesthesia is wearing off. You know you're strong. You can get through this."

"My baby..." The words barely escaped my lips once I managed to regain some control.

Mom understood immediately. But she didn't answer. Abella avoided my gaze. Vaeldric lowered his head. Father looked ready to explode again, pointing a finger at Vaeldric.

"Because of the negligence of this arrogant general who has been worshipped far too much, I've lost my first grandchild—a child I've waited six years for." His voice dripped with bitterness.

"What a remarkable achievement for Valerion's greatest general."

It felt as though lightning had struck me. My body went rigid once more. I couldn't even protect my own child. Even though that child had been growing inside my own body.