Chapter 7. A Mother's Fight
Looking out of the window, Vanessa saw a ghostly image of herself, her hand naturally landed on her abdomen, which was now larger than she had expected at this point. The storm blazing in her head was not matched by the room's gentle elegance. Except for safety, she had everything she could desire nearby and with faith, she still needed to get those things here.
Despite the magnificence and intimidation of the Archibald estate, it still felt foreign to her. The employees walked around her like shadows, courteous yet indifferent. Richard, her father, paid attention, but she couldn't get rid of the impression that his generosity was conditional. She was always on her guard and hardly spoke to him.
The roughest times were at night. She closed her eyes, and the explosion of heat, pain, and Alec's betrayal repeated in her head. Her heart would race, and she would wake up covered in sweat. It was the same tonight. She was reminded of the van, the ropes, and the fear of listening to her captors quarrelling over her fate in her dreams.
Gasping for breath, Vanessa woke up. She grabbed the edge of the bed as the room rotated. Physically, at least, she was safe. However, she was reminded that she was not free from the pain in her chest. Her thoughts were tormented by Alec's face and the way he had picked Isla out of the blue. The hurt and rage were like new wounds.
There was a gentle knock and the door creaked open. It was Lydia, her designated housekeeper. Miss Vanessa, how are you? "I heard a noise," she said in a gentle and suspicious tone.
Vanessa wiped her forehead and nodded. "I'm all right. Another nightmare.
Lydia folded her hands before her and asked, do you want a cup of tea? It could aid with your sleep.
After hesitating, Vanessa nodded. Anything to distract her attention would help her relax.
Vanessa's thoughts goes back to her unborn kid while Lydia was away. "It's just you and me now," she said quietly, pressing a palm to her tummy once more. I swear that I will stop at nothing to keep you safe.
In response, the baby kicked, a little yet potent reminder of the life developing inside of her. In the dark, it offered her a glow of hope.
The days that followed went by in a blur. Richard stayed out of her way while making sure she had access to doctors, dietitians, and even therapists. Because she wasn't ready to talk about the mess in her heart, she turned down the treatment.
But shortly after, the problems started.
Her lower abdomen began to hurt sharply. Vanessa initially dismissed it, believing it to be normal but one night, the pain got so bad that she passed out in her room. Lydia screamed for assistance after finding her.
Vanessa's body was weak and quivering in a hospital bed the next thing she knew.
She was terrified since she was about to give birth.
She was terrified because it was her first time.
Around her, machines beeped, and the room's sterile odour made her stomach turn.
A physician stood beside her bed, his face serious. "Miss Archibald, your pregnancy is giving you trouble. Your blood pressure is extremely increasing, and if it keeps rising, you and the unborn child could be at risk.
Vanessa felt her heart sink. Fear pulsing through her veins, she held the blankets. "What does that mean, exactly? What are our options?
The doctor's tone was calm but firm as he continued, "We'll monitor you closely." But you have to relax, stress will just worsen the situation.
Relax. Her heart hurts, so how could she sleep?
Soon after, Richard showed up, his face stressed and pale. With his fingers hanging over hers but not quite touching, he sat next to her bed. "I've made arrangements for the greatest medical staff to look after you, Vanessa. You have nothing to be concerned about.
She was concerned, though. She was concerned about herself and her child; what if she passed away and left her child behind? Not!
"I failed you once," Richard went on. I will never let you down again. I'll go to any lengths to ensure your well-being and happiness.
Unsure if he was telling the truth, Vanessa looked aside.
She constantly saw her mother before she passed away, and when she saw a picture of him, she could still recognize his face it was Richard. She claimed not to know him, but she did, from the start.
Weeks passed, and her health worsened. To save her and the unborn child, the physicians decided to induce labour early. Vanessa was afraid. She wasn't prepared.
The delivery day arrived sooner than she had expected. Her heart was beating so loudly that it overpowered the sounds surrounding her as she was brought into the delivery room. Her skin felt like it was being burned by the intense lights overhead.
It was the most unbearable ache she had ever experienced. Her body felt like it was being torn apart with each contraction. As the doctors and nurses urged her to push, she tightened her teeth and let the tears fall down her cheeks.
One of the nurses replied, "You're doing great, Vanessa," in a calm but reserved tone. "A little bit more,"
Vanessa's hands gripped the bed's sides as she shouted. She briefly believed she would faint as her vision became blurry.
Then, however, she heard a cry. A little, sharp scream broke through the confusion.
The doctor said, "It's a boy!" while displaying a small, twisting infant.
Vanessa struggled to regain her breath, and her chest heaved. But she felt another wave of pain before she could comprehend what was occurring.
With an urgent tone, the doctor urged, "Wait." "There's one more."
One more? Vanessa's thoughts were racing. The anguish took over again before she could think.
Hours passed in the blink of an eye, but then the second cry.
The doctor said, "Another boy," in a gentler voice.
Vanessa lost all power and fell against the bed, her body utterly exhausted.
As the nurses held both newborns in her arms, tears ran down her cheeks.
Twin boys. She was unaware. She hadn't planned.
She touched their small faces with shaking hands, feeling their warm, soft skin against hers. Her voice cracked as she said, "Hello." Hello, my life's new love.
She immediately sensed that the room was rejecting her, and before she realized it, she nearly dropped her children.
However, the equipment began beeping as the doctors hurried to pick up the infants.
Someone yelled, "Her blood pressure is dropping."
Fear took hold of Vanessa once more, and her heart began to speed. She looked at her children, whose naive expressions were unaware of the chaos all around them.
Her voice was hardly heard as she said sadly and quietly, "Take care of them." "Make me a promise."
Then everything turned dark.