Unknown sender
Marco
A few weeks had passed since I failed to meet Ashley, and ever since then, she had been leaving the house frequently. She never told me where she went, but I had a feeling she was just staying at her condo. I couldn’t just go there suddenly because of Ashlyn. She kept calling me even when I was at the office, and I didn’t want to be talking to the love of my life while someone kept interrupting us.
Honestly, I felt guilty about what happened that day. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I accidentally left her waiting for nothing.
I was driving to Ashley’s place when my phone rang. I saw my wife’s name on the screen. I wasn’t planning to answer, but then I remembered her condition. Even if I no longer loved her, I couldn’t ignore the fact that we were having a child. Being a husband was different from being a father.
“Yes?” I answered, slightly furrowing my brows because I knew she was about to ask for something again.
“Marco, can you please buy me some cake? I’m craving something sweet.”
I was about to refuse, but she spoke again.
“I don’t know, maybe it’s because of the baby. I think he takes after you.”
I took a deep breath before responding.
“Okay, I’ll get it and bring it to you later.”
“I want it now.”
“Right now? You know I’m working in the office. Can’t it wait until I get home?”
“I just suddenly craved it. But it’s okay if you’re busy. Go back to work. I just thought, since you own the company, it wouldn’t be too much to ask.”
“Fine, I’ll buy it and bring it to you now.”
“It’s really fine, Marco. I don’t want to—”
“It’s okay, Ashlyn. I’m on my way home,” I cut her off. There was no point in arguing. This was for my child, too. The doctor had told me before that it was normal for pregnant women to have sudden cravings, especially during the first trimester. They needed to be indulged.
“Thank you, Marco. Drive safely. I love you.”
“Thanks,” I replied before ending the call.
I drove for a few minutes until I spotted a bakeshop. I parked, went inside, and picked up a cake. Then, I suddenly thought of Ashley. I texted her, saying I’d be a little late. She replied, which relieved me.
When I got home, I found Ashlyn in the living room. I handed her the cake and was about to leave when she stopped me and asked me to have lunch with her. Ashley crossed my mind. Has she eaten yet? But since she texted me earlier and her condo was quite far from my office, I figured she had probably ordered food by now.
“Thank you, Marco. Ashley left without eating, so I didn’t have anyone to eat with. I told her to have lunch first, but she said she’d just grab fast food on the way to her condo.”
I sighed in relief at her words. At least I knew she would eat.
After lunch, Ashlyn asked me to stay and rest for a bit before leaving. I didn’t want to seem like I was rushing, so I agreed. Once I felt I had stayed long enough, I told her I had to go. She smiled and nodded in agreement.
She was in the kitchen, and I was already at the door when I heard her call out, “Marco, take this for your snacks.”
She was carrying a small container, probably with the cake I bought. She walked toward me, holding it out. But as I stepped closer, her eyes suddenly widened.
Then she collapsed onto the floor. Blood started to spread around her.
Panic hit me. Fear. Not just for Ashlyn but also for our baby. I rushed to pick her up and drove her to the hospital as fast as I could. As soon as we arrived, doctors and nurses immediately attended to her.
She was taken into the emergency room, leaving me outside. My mind was filled with nothing but worry for my wife and child. I prayed non-stop that they would be okay.
As I waited for the doctor, I kept replaying what had happened. How did she fall? Our floor was carpeted, and I was sure there was nothing slippery because I had just walked over it myself.
I kept pacing back and forth in front of the ER until the doors finally opened, and the doctor walked out.
“Mrs. Montecillo and the baby are both safe.”
I let out a deep breath, especially at the last part.
“Good thing they’re both strong. She just needs some rest, and she’ll be able to go home soon. But once she’s back, she should be on complete bed rest. No heavy movements. They’re both doing well, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you, doctor,” I said. He nodded before walking away.
I didn’t want Ashlyn to be discharged just yet, but she insisted. Since the doctor approved it, she preferred to rest at home.
That night, when we got home, Ashley found us hugging.
Ashlyn thanked me and said she was lucky I was there when it happened. “What if you weren’t?” she said before hugging me tightly.
The pain I saw in Ashley’s eyes that night burned into my heart and mind. I told myself I wouldn’t let it happen again.
But what could I do? Ashlyn still needed me. I couldn’t abandon her and our child. My baby had nothing to do with my mistakes.
Now, Ashley and I barely even saw each other. I missed her so much.
I decided to go see her. I picked up my phone and planned to turn it off so I wouldn’t get any calls or messages from anyone. But before I could, I received a text from an unknown number.
Unknown Sender: "Sir, this is Nurse Mika. I assisted Mrs. Montecillo during her first check-up when you brought her in for stomach pain. Can I talk to you? I’m afraid you might sue me because of our initial findings about her condition."
The text was long, but she was clearly asking to meet. Since it was about Ashlyn and the baby, I agreed. I told her to come to my office the next morning.
Marco: Meet me in my office tomorrow morning.
I replied and gave her my office address.
Nurse Mika: Okay, sir. Thank you.
After that, I finally turned off my phone.
I needed to focus on Ashley.
I loved her, and I had to make sure she knew that.