Adaline accompanied Altezza back to the hospital for his therapy session. Three times a week, they spent two hours together, even though all Adaline did was watch. After the therapy, Gian would come and accompany them to take Adaline for her prenatal exercises. Altezza never liked it; he always felt jealous whenever Gian took his place as Adaline's companion. But what could he do? His body still wasn't healthy enough to assist. He just hoped that when Adaline gave birth, he would be the one by her side, not Gian.
As for Adaline's pregnancy, she was now at 36 weeks, with three to four weeks left until delivery. Stefanie continued to persuade her wife to opt for a cesarean section during delivery, but Adaline remained firm in her decision to have a normal birth, despite knowing the condition of her body.
But whatever happened in the future, he only hoped that Adaline would give birth safely. As well as their two babies.
Was it just his imagination, or were they being followed since leaving the hospital? Altezza glanced at the mirror to confirm his suspicion, but he found nothing suspicious. He tried to ignore his feelings, but he continued to observe his surroundings.
Adaline mentioned that she wanted to eat Sundanese cuisine after their exercise session. Altezza and Gian gladly complied. The car drove on, and they entered an Italian restaurant that Adaline had chosen beforehand.
Adaline had been much better since Altezza woke up from his coma. Her weight had drastically increased, and the bags under her eyes had disappeared, although Altezza knew Adaline still struggled to sleep at night. Her appetite had also increased, just like now.
She ate eagerly, even though Altezza had asked her to eat slowly, she ignored him.
They finished their meal. The driver returned to prepare the car while Gian excused himself to the restroom. Altezza paid for their food at the cashier, and Adaline chose to browse around, and that's when it all happened. So fast that Altezza thought it was just a shadow.
Someone approached Adaline quickly and stabbed her in the abdomen. Altezza's eyes widened, frozen in place, as did Gian. Adaline groaned in pain, clutching her stomach, while the woman who stabbed her laughed gleefully.
"Finally, I got rid of the obstacle," she said with a sinister laugh.
Realizing his wife's condition, Altezza ran instantly, as did Gian. They both reached Adaline, who staggered backward, clutching her stomach.
Altezza reached for his wife's back and hugged her. Adaline looked pale, panicked, and frightened.
"Al... Our baby..." she whispered softly amidst the pain she felt.
"Darling, calm down. Everything will be fine. You and our baby will be fine," Altezza reassured, his heart pounding heavily, feeling truly scared. He removed his shirt and pressed on his wife's stomach.
Quickly, Altezza lifted Adaline's body and carried her out of the restaurant just as Gian brought their car to the front door and helped Altezza carefully put Adaline into the car. After that, he drove the car very quickly to the nearest hospital.
The journey felt so long. Adaline began to babble incoherently. Blood continued to flow from the left side of her abdomen.
"Al... Our baby..." she said between her shortened breaths. "Save... our baby... Al..." she pleaded softly. Tears streamed down their eyes. Even Gian occasionally rubbed his cheeks harshly.
"You will both be saved. You and our baby will be saved," Altezza said, more to reassure himself. "Don't leave me, darling. You promised you wouldn't leave me," Altezza begged as he cried in front of his wife.
Satu tangannya still tightly held Adaline while the other pressed on her abdomen, which continued to bleed. Altezza kissed his wife's head, forehead, and cheeks, murmuring prayers, begging her to hold on.
They arrived at the Emergency Room. Several doctors and nurses immediately took Adaline from his arms. They examined her, attached various cables to her body, applied something, and checked on the condition of the baby. Everything seemed blurry to Altezza.
Someone tapped his shoulder. "Sign this. Adaline needs surgery as soon as possible." Gian handed him a square board containing a declaration letter. Altezza looked at the doctor in front of him.
"How is my wife? She will survive, right? Save my wife, doctor! I beg you!" He pleaded.
"We will do our best, Sir. As soon as you sign this document, we will proceed with your wife's treatment," the doctor replied.
Gian tapped his shoulder again. "Hurry up, Altezza. The longer you hesitate, the longer they will delay taking action." Altezza quickly signed his name.
"Please, save them," he pleaded again, his voice trembling.
"We will do our utmost. Please help with your prayers," the doctor commanded before walking away.
Altezza escorted Adaline to the operating room door. If possible, he wanted to continue accompanying her. He didn't want to let go of his wife's hand so easily.
Gian held him back. "Calm down, Altezza. If you're like this, you'll only delay Adaline's treatment."
Gian pulled Altezza's body away. Altezza wailed. His body collapsed instantly. His mind returned to the incident that had just occurred moments ago.
"Where is that woman?!" He stood up, wiping his tears and glaring at Gian with murderous intent. "Tell me where she is?!" He growled. He grabbed Gian's shirt and held it tightly. "Tell me you've asked someone to catch her?!" He hissed sharply. Gian was still trying to calm his cousin down.
"Calm down, Al. You have to calm down for Adaline and your children."
"How can I calm down if that woman has tried to kill my wife and children!" He shouted harshly. "Tell me where she is so I can kill her with my own hands!"
"Altezza! The police have apprehended her. Please calm down. You're not fully recovered yet. Please, Al. For Adaline," Gian tried to use his mantra.
"Adaline..." The man weakened and finally fell to the floor. Gian helped him, guiding him to sit on the long chair in the hallway.
"Calm down. Don't you remember what the doctor said? We need to help by praying for her safety," he said, trying to reassure.
Altezza bowed his head. His tears flowed freely again. "I swear, I'll kill her if anything bad happens to Adaline and my children," he swore.
Seconds ticked by. Minutes turned into hours, which felt like an eternity for Altezza. He didn't even notice his parents, uncle, and aunt, Violet and Emma, Antony and Claire who came in turn.
They didn't approach him, knowing that Altezza needed time alone.
Even Duncan and Tessa stood there. Joanna still wore her house clothes, standing with a pale and tense face. They prayed together for the three lives in the operating room.
The door opened. A nurse came in with two cleaned baby trolleys, both sleeping comfortably. "One boy. And one girl," the nurse announced.
"How is my wife?" Altezza asked without even looking at his two precious babies.
"She's still undergoing treatment," the nurse replied.
"Altezza..." His mother gently tapped his shoulder, asking him to calm down.
Altezza turned and finally looked down at his two babies. Seeing them one by one with tears streaming down his face.
"Pray for your Mama, my darlings," he said, placing the babies back into their respective boxes.
The nurses seemed to be running around somehow. Altezza heard shouts just as the door to the operating room closed.