Chapter 40

Chapter 40
LOUISA’S POV

I sat in the bed, hugging the blanket tight like it could hold Benedict in it and bring him back faster. Every minute felt like a whole day as I kept telling myself that he would come back, that he would rush in any second, and I’d finally get to tell him about the baby. 

But the minutes turned into more minutes, and I couldn’t help but wiggle my fingers against the blanket and mutter, “Where is he? Did he forget me? Did he leave me? No, no, no, he wouldn’t do that… would he?”

By the time Sister Jacinta came back in, my eyes were all red and puffy from waiting and crying, and my little mouth couldn’t stop quivering. I had already started whimpering before she even said a word.

“Oh, Louisa…” Sister Jacinta knelt beside the bed and tried to pull me into a hug, but I squirmed so much she had to stop and hold my shoulders instead.

“I… I… he left me! He left me here!” I wailed, hiccupping in between words like my mouth had no brakes. “He ran off after the big alarm, and he hasn’t come back! And I didn’t even get to tell him the baby! I didn’t even get to tell him!” My hands flapped in the air like I was trying to catch my words before they flew away.

Sister Jacinta’s lips pressed together as she stroked my hair. “Shhh… it’s alright, Louisa.”

But I shook my head so hard my hair whipped across my face. “No! That’s not fair! He should have stayed! He should have stayed with me, I’m his wife! I’m supposed to tell him about our baby!” I gasped and grabbed the blanket again, holding it to my chest like it could somehow shield me.

Sister Jacinta sighed softly. “I know you want him here, Louisa, but crying like this isn’t good for you or the baby. You need to rest, calm down and breathe with me.”

I sniffled and tried to follow her instructions. In and out. In and out. My chest went all bouncy and my hands still twitched. I wanted to tell her that calm doesn’t come easy when your husband left you running over some stupid, loud alarm. 

After a while, I finally sat up straighter, the blanket sagging in my lap. “I’m… I’m tired of sitting here,” I murmured. “I want to… I want to walk around. Maybe if I walk, I can stop worrying over when Benedict would come. That way, I can find Sabrina’s room too and I can check on her. Benedict said she was rushed to this hospital and is on the same floor as me.” 

Sister Jacinta looked at me with one eyebrow raised, and I felt like a naughty little kid caught doing something bad. “Louisa…” she said, voice stern.

I pouted. “Please, Sister Jacinta. Just a little walk. I promise I’ll hold your hand the whole time.” I flailed my arms helplessly.

Her lips pressed together, and she finally huffed. “Alright, but just a short walk, and you keep close to me. Don’t wander off.”

I squealed a tiny bit and grabbed her hand. “Thank you! You’re the bestest nun ever!”

We walked slowly down the hallway, my hand warm in hers. I bounced a little as we went, which made her sigh, but she didn’t let go. I kept glancing at every door, imagining that behind each one was someone important, someone who needed to be checked on.

We passed five rooms. Yes, I was counting them in my and yes the children at the orphanage taught me how to count to 100. One, two, three, four, five… and then six! There was something about the sixth door. It was ajar and I heard voices, so my ears pricked up like a puppy.

It was Benedict’s voice. My heart did a little flip that was almost painful. But then another voice came through more pleading and desperate in a way that made my stomach clench.

“Please, wake up, Sabrina. I can’t live without you. Come back to me, please.” Benedict said.

My knees went wobbly and my hand gripped Sister Jacinta’s a little too tight. Benedict was holding her hand, the same way he had held mine just a little while ago. My stomach twisted and my cheeks felt hot. My lips parted, but no sound came out as I just froze, glued to the spot.

And then, slowly, Sabrina stirred. Her eyes opened first landing on Benedict, and then… they shifted toward the doorway to me.

I felt my stomach flop in a weird way, like someone had poured cold water in it. Sabrina’s face turned into a bitter, almost evil-looking smile, and my throat went dry. She had never looked at me like that before and I wanted to shriek and hide under the floor, but my legs were frozen.

My stomach flipped like a pancake in a hot pan the moment I saw Sabrina’s hand brush Benedict’s hair. My eyes went wide as if someone had just thrown cold water on my face. His head shot up so fast it made my neck ache just watching, and before I could even blink, he had wrapped her in his arms like she was the only thing keeping him from falling apart.

I froze as my mouth went dry, and I had that dizzy feeling again, the one that made my knees feel like wobbly jelly. I wanted to run, but my feet wouldn’t obey. I wanted to scream, but my throat seemed to have vanished. I could only watch, wide-eyed and confused, as Benedict held her. My hands clutched Sister Jacinta’s arm so tight I thought I might leave bruises.

_______