Chapter 255: So Heartless
Jack helped Alison up carefully, supporting her weight with one arm while holding the IV bottle in the other.
But after only a few steps, a sharp pain seized Alison’s abdomen. “Jack—it hurts! My stomach—call the doctor, please! The baby—!”
“Doctor! Nurse! Somebody—now!” Jack’s shout echoed down the corridor.
The doctor rushed in, startled to find Alison drenched in sweat. “What’s happening?”
“My stomach—hurts—so much,” Alison gasped.
“Do you still need to use the restroom?” the doctor asked calmly.
Jack’s warning from earlier rang in the doctor’s ears — say nothing about the IV.
“Yes… that’s it,” Alison panted.
“All right. Go, and I’ll check you once you’re back,” the doctor said smoothly.
“Okay…” Alison bit down hard, forcing herself toward the bathroom on trembling legs.
Jack stayed at her side, one arm steadying her, the IV swinging slightly with every shaky step.
Inside, he helped her lower herself onto the toilet seat, hung the IV bottle, and refused to leave.
“Jack, please go out,” she murmured, face flushing.
“Alison… does it still hurt?”
“Yes—it hurts so bad…”
He took her hand tightly. “I’m right here. Lean on me.”
He brushed damp strands from her forehead. “If it’s too much, scream. No one’s going to laugh at you.”
“Jack—I can’t push it out. What do I do?” she cried.
“Breathe… just breathe. It’ll pass soon,” he whispered, tucking her hair gently behind her ear.
“Jack, please—go. I can’t… not if you’re here,” she pleaded.
“No,” he said firmly. “I’m not leaving you.”
Then, a sudden tearing pain shot through her body — followed by a warm rush beneath her.
She looked down. Red. Too much red.
My God… my baby! Her mind screamed.
“Jack—save me! Save our baby!” she cried before collapsing in his arms.
Jack caught her limp body, holding her close. His chest ached — for her, for the child they had just lost.
By the time they laid her back in bed, her body burned with fever, skin glistening, lips dry and cracked.
Jack sat beside her, afraid to move. If she wakes and I’m not here… He vowed silently — this time, he would stay.
The doctor came and went, murmuring that her vitals were stable. But Alison didn’t stir.
Jack tried gently shaking her shoulder. Nothing. He dampened a cloth and wiped her cracked lips, but when a thin line of blood seeped from the corner, his heart clenched painfully.
“Sophia and Ethan are waiting for you… have you forgotten them, Alison?” he whispered, fearing she’d given up on waking.
Her body shuddered faintly, tears sliding silently from the corners of her eyes.
“Alison, you hear me, right?” Jack wiped her cheeks, but the tears wouldn’t stop.
Her fingers twitched weakly around his hand. “Jack… I want to go home.”
“All right,” he said softly. “I’ll take care of it right now.”
Before he turned to go, she tugged his sleeve. “Jack… can we skip the apartment?”
He smiled faintly. “All right. Straight home. Together.”
After he stepped out, two young nurses entered to tidy up. One glanced at the IV list and muttered under her breath, “This medicine really works. All cleared up.”
The other nurse elbowed her sharply — a warning. Alison noticed.
They both left quickly, whispering as the door closed behind them.
Alison frowned, confusion stirring through her fog. What medicine? she thought.
Gritting her teeth, she reached for the IV bag’s label — and tore the note free.