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⊰ 19 ⊱ Burden of Silence
Content Advisory: Emotional distress. Reader discretion is advised.
The sterile white walls of the hospital room close in around me as I lay on the narrow bed, my body aching and my heart heavy. The papery gown scratches against my skin, a constant reminder of where I am and why I’m here.
Please, let the baby be okay… Please…
I stare up at the ceiling, trying to focus on the steady beep of the heart monitor, but my mind keeps drifting back to the events that landed me here.
Alessandra half-carried, half-dragged me to her car, my legs barely able to support my weight. Each step sent a jolt of pain through my battered body, and I couldn’t stop the whimper that escaped my lips.
“Hospital,” she said firmly, her quavering voice leaving no room for argument.
But even through the gaze of pain and fear, I knew I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t let anyone find out about this, least of all Marcel.
“No,” I rasped,
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