Chapter 64 Chapter 22.1
THIRD PERSON POV
Desmond burst out of the company building the moment he received the call. His heartbeat pounded violently in his ears as he sprinted toward his car, hands trembling so hard he nearly dropped the keys. The second he got inside, he slammed his foot on the accelerator, weaving through traffic like he was racing against death itself.
He didn’t care about speed limits. He didn’t care about angry honks behind him.
All he could think about was Heaven—and their baby.
He should’ve gone with her. He should’ve insisted. He should never have let her leave on her own.
His breaths came in ragged gasps as he pressed the horn repeatedly, cursing every car that blocked his way. The world outside the windows blurred until finally, the hospital appeared.
The moment he parked, he ran.
He stumbled on the steps and crashed onto the floor, scraping his palms, but he didn’t stop. Before the guard could even reach him, Desmond forced himself up and sprinted inside.
He scanned the hallway desperately, and froze when he spotted Zachary speaking with a doctor.
“That’s her husband, doc,” Zachary said as soon as he saw him.
The doctor turned to Desmond.
“Mr. Velasquez—”
“How’s my wife?” Desmond demanded, pushing past him before he could finish.
Through the glass window of the room, he saw Heaven lying in bed, drenched in blood. The sight nearly buckled his knees. He rushed inside and grabbed her trembling hand.
“The baby, Desmond… our baby…” Heaven sobbed weakly, tears streaking her pale cheeks.
Desmond opened his mouth, but before he could speak, the obstetrician stepped inside.
“Mr. Velasquez,” the doctor said gravely, “you have to decide. We can only prioritize one. Both mother and child are in danger, the blood loss is severe.”
Heaven’s eyes widened in terror.
“Choose my baby… please. Save our baby…” she begged, her voice breaking.
Desmond felt his world shatter. How was he supposed to choose?
How could he decide between the woman he loved and the child they had prayed for? Desmond swallowed hard. His tears were on the brink of falling, both his wife and their child meant everything to him. Why? Why did this have to happen now, just when they were so close to finally meeting their baby?
“Please choose Daryl…” Heaven whispered before her eyes fluttered shut as she slipped into unconsciousness again.
The doctor handed Desmond a consent form. His hands trembled violently as he held it.
“Can’t you save both?” Desmond choked out. “Please, I’m begging you. Save them both.”
“We’ll do everything we can,” the doctor reassured him softly. “But we still need your consent… in case we can only save one.”
Tears streamed down Desmond’s face as he signed the document, choosing Heaven.
He barely felt Zachary grab his arm to steady him as he stumbled out of the room, his legs weak.
“Sit down first,” Zachary urged.
But Desmond stared blankly ahead, haunted by the horrible image of Heaven covered in blood. His instincts had screamed earlier not to let her leave alone. He should’ve listened. He should’ve gone with her.
“What happened?” Desmond whispered hoarsely.
Zachary lowered his head, guilt consuming him.
“She didn’t want me to go inside the clinic. I waited in the car and—”
Before he could finish, Desmond’s fist slammed into his jaw.
“Why did you let her go alone?! Why didn’t you stop her?!” Desmond shouted, trembling with rage and grief. “Why?!”
“I’m sorry…” was all Zachary could say. And he meant it. Every word.
Desmond dragged his hands through his hair, desperate, furious, terrified all at once.
“How did she fall down the stairs? Why would she even go near them?” His voice was shaking now, controlled only by a thin thread of restraint. “She would never… never choose to take the stairs. Someone must’ve talked to her. Someone must’ve made her move.”
“I haven’t checked the CCTV yet,” Zachary admitted. “I couldn’t leave her until you arrived.”
Desmond pressed his palms over his face. He prayed. Begged. Pleaded silently that both Heaven and their baby survived.
His heart felt ripped apart. He couldn’t lose Heaven. He couldn’t lose their child. He knew Heaven would never forgive herself if something happened to the baby.
And if someone caused her fall, Desmond would make them pay.
Across from him, he noticed Zachary’s shirt stained with blood. Heaven’s blood.
Desmond’s tears spilled all over again.
He had been a good husband. He’d done everything to protect her. And yet… why was this happening? Why such a cruel test?
Hours passed.
No updates.
No doctors coming out.
No nurses.
Only silence and the cold, suffocating dread of the unknown.
Desmond paced back and forth in front of the operating room, running his hands through his hair until it stood messily in every direction.
“Why are they taking so long? What’s happening in there?” His voice trembled with fear.
“They’re doing everything they can,” Zachary replied quietly.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door opened.
The doctor stepped out. Desmond rushed toward him.
“How’s my wife?” he asked instantly.
“She’s stable now,” the doctor said. “But… I’m very sorry. The baby lost its heartbeat.”
Desmond staggered backward as though struck. His hand shot out, grabbing the doctor’s collar to stay upright.
“No… no, you’re lying.” His voice broke as tears streamed down his face. “You’re lying! Save my baby, please!”
The doctor lowered his gaze. They had tried. They had all tried.
Desmond’s parents arrived just as he was breaking down. Romulo rushed to hold his son back before he collapsed.
“Bring him back! Do everything you can!” Desmond screamed helplessly.
Shiermy covered her mouth in shock when the nurses emerged, carrying the tiny, lifeless body of her grandchild.
“Where are you taking him?” she asked, following them with trembling steps while the men remained outside the operating room, Desmond crying inconsolably in his father’s arms.