Chapter 11 David Quinn
ANNA'S POV
“How are you feeling now?” the voice that had been beside me all through today said softly.
My head lifted slightly, my heavy eyelids fighting to open. I saw my mom sitting close to the bed, and beside her, the man who had been in the room earlier was now awake too. The dull light from the lamp on the table cast a calm glow around them, but it didn’t change the emptiness I felt inside.
I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. My throat felt tight, dry even, and my body was still weak. I hoped she understood that I wasn’t ignoring her, I just didn’t have the strength to speak.
“I’m really sorry about your child,” she began, her voice trembling slightly. “A mother losing her child is one of the most painful things anyone can imagine. I felt that same pain once, years ago, when you were kidnapped.” Her eyes softened as she looked at me. “And now today, you’ve lost your child, and I’ve lost my grandchild. I know my words can’t do much with all the pain you’re feeling right now, but you’ve suffered too much in the last twenty-four hours. You’ve carried more than one person should have to bear in a lifetime. But everything will be fine from now on. That’s why I’m here for you… And that’s why your father also came.”
My eyes drifted to the man beside her. Father?
So he wasn’t just any ordinary man sitting quietly in the corner?
He stood up slowly, his steps calm and steady as he came closer to the bed. He pulled the chair beside me and sat down, his eyes studying my face carefully, almost like he was trying to find a piece of himself in me.
“I am deeply sorry for your loss, my dear,” he said in a calm, deep voice. “My name is David Quinn, and I know it might be difficult to believe right now, but I am your biological father just like your mom said.”
For a moment, I just looked at him, unsure of how to react. His words echoed in my head again and again — your biological father.
It was hard to believe. The man I had grown up calling father had died years ago. He was kind, gentle, and loved me in ways I never thought I deserved. Accepting a new mother wouldn’t be too difficult, but a new father? That was something my heart wasn’t ready for.
Mr. Quinn seemed to understand the silence that hung between us. He gave a small nod, his expression warm yet understanding. “There’s no need for you to say anything,” he said softly. “I know the situation you’re in right now. Whatever you want to say can be said another day. Today, all you need to do is rest and recover. That’s the only thing that matters.”
I managed to give a small nod. At least he understood. They both did.
A few quiet minutes passed before the door opened, and the doctor walked in holding a clipboard. His white coat swayed slightly as he stepped into the room.
“Hi, Ms. Quinn,” he said, glancing at me with a polite smile.
My brows furrowed a little. Ms. Quinn? Was he talking to me?
I turned slightly toward my mom, realizing she didn’t react to the name which could only mean one thing. They hadn’t wasted any time showing people that I was now part of their family.
“How do you feel now?” the doctor asked. “Do you still feel nauseous?”
I slowly shook my head no. My voice still refused to come out, so I let the gesture speak for me.
He nodded and quickly scribbled something down on his clipboard, flipping a few pages. “In that case,” he said finally, “you’re free to leave.”
“Are you sure? There’s nothing wrong with her?” my mom asked, her tone still full of concern.
The doctor smiled gently. “She’s absolutely fine. Her blood pressure spiked a little too high in the last forty-eight hours, though. That’s likely from stress and overthinking. I suggest she take it down a notch with the worrying, and she should drink a lot of water. Hydration helps stabilize the body.”
“Would there be any need for BP medication?” my dad asked, his voice steady but full of care.
The doctor shook his head. “No, it’s not that serious, as long as she reduces the stress and doesn’t overthink things. A few days of rest and calm will help a lot.”
“Alright, doc,” my dad said, standing up. “I’ll go make the payment.”
He gave me a small reassuring smile before leaving the room with the doctor, the door closing quietly behind them.
For a few moments, it was just my mom and me again. She stayed silent, her hand brushing over my arm gently. The touch felt warm, comforting in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. Despite everything that had happened, it felt strange to finally have someone sitting beside me, someone who seemed to genuinely care.
When my dad returned, the paperwork was already done. He helped my mom gather a few belongings, and we made our way out of the hospital room. My steps were still slow, careful. The sound of distant chatter echoed softly around us.
Outside, the cool air brushed against my skin, I closed my eyes. It felt good to notice fresh air again after all the chaos of the last two days.
My dad walked ahead a little and opened the car door for me, motioning me to get in. I did, quietly, sliding into the backseat. My mom got in beside me, and my dad took the front seat next to the driver.
The engine came to life, and as the car began to move, I rested my head against the cool window glass. The hum of the tires on the road, the soft sway of the car, everything seemed to blur together.
The exhaustion from the past few days finally began to settle in. My mind felt heavy, but for the first time in a while, I wasn’t thinking of pain or loss. I was just… empty.
The soft murmurs from the front seat faded slowly, and my breathing evened out. My eyes grew heavier with every second. Before I knew it, they began to close, little by little.
I hadn’t slept much, and right now, I needed it more than anything else.