Chapter 3 - The Choice
1208 Words
"Hi, Vid!"
The voice came with a burst of energy, as warm and familiar as sunlight through a window. I looked up from where I sat propped against my pillows, my hands loosely folded over the thin blanket, and there he was—Darius Thorne, grinning like he hadn’t just come from a long shift at work.
He stepped into my hospital room with a casual stride, a paper bag dangling from one hand and his black jacket already half-slipped off his shoulder. The scent of something sweet and buttery floated in with him.
"Hey, Darius," I said, the corners of my mouth tugging into a soft smile. His presence always brought with it this strange kind of ease, like breathing after holding your breath too long. "You really don’t have to come here every day, you know."
He gave a theatrical sigh, dramatically tossing his jacket onto the chair beside the bed before sinking into it with a groan. "Are you getting sick of my face already, Vidya? Because that would just crush me. Truly. My fragile heart couldn’t take it."
I laughed, quietly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "That’s not what I meant. It’s just..."
But before I could finish, Darius waved a hand in the air like he was brushing off a speck of dust.
"I’m joking, I’m joking," he said, flashing that easy smile again. His eyes crinkled at the corners, dark lashes flickering as he looked at me. "I know you don’t want to be a bother, but trust me, you’re not. I come because I want to. Hanging out with you is actually kinda fun."
That made me look away, eyes dropping to my lap. A small smile lingered on my lips, but my heart tugged with something heavier. I wanted to believe him. Really, I did. But part of me still whispered that it wouldn’t last. That once I wasn’t interesting anymore—once the worst had passed—he’d stop showing up. Still, I couldn’t deny it. Having him around made the days feel less empty. Thanks to him, I didn’t feel completely alone.
There was a knock at the door. I glanced up, expecting a nurse, but instead, a tall man with neatly combed salt-and-pepper hair and sharp, watchful eyes stepped inside.
Dr. Alden Myers.
"Well, well," he said, one brow raised and a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "What are the odds? Finding you here again, Darius."
Darius groaned but smiled. "Don’t pretend to be surprised, Doc. You know I practically live here now."
Dr. Myers chuckled, then turned his attention to me. His tone softened. "How are you feeling today, Vidya?"
"I’m okay," I said, though the word felt empty. My body ached in dull, quiet ways. My stomach was still tender, and some mornings I woke up so tired it felt like even breathing was a task. But I kept those thoughts to myself.
Dr. Myers nodded slowly, his gaze skimming the tablet in his hands. Then his smile faded, replaced by something far more serious. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he exhaled through his nose like he was preparing himself.
"Actually," he said, glancing at both of us, "I need to talk to you. It’s important."
Dr. Myers gave him a look. It was a subtle one, but it carried weight—a silent message. Darius seemed to get it. He nodded slowly, rising from the chair with a soft grunt.
"I’ll go grab something from the vending machine," he said, offering me a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
I nodded, my throat tight. He gave me one last glance before slipping out, the door closing with a soft click behind him.
The silence that followed was thick.
Dr. Myers pulled the visitor chair closer to the bed and sat down, folding his hands in front of him. His posture was calm, but his eyes were intense, filled with something heavy. He looked at me like I was about to break, but he was trying to make sure it happened gently.
"Vidya," he said, voice quiet but firm. "I won’t sugarcoat this. You deserve the truth."
I nodded slowly, my heart already pounding in my chest. My hands gripped the blanket tighter.
"The rejection did more damage than we initially thought," he began. "Your wolf... she isn’t responding to you anymore, right?"
My breath caught.
Dr. Myers' eyes softened, but he didn’t stop. "The bond severance shocked your spiritual core. Normally, a werewolf’s inner wolf provides strength and stability to the body, especially during pregnancy. But in your case, that connection is fading. I believe your wolf may be slipping away entirely."
I shook my head, barely able to process his words. "No. That can’t be. I still feel her. Sometimes."
"Phantom echoes," he said gently. "But the deeper connection is weakening. Your body is trying to sustain both your life and the baby’s, but without your wolf’s energy, it’s an enormous strain."
I felt the room tilt slightly, like gravity had shifted. The heartbeat monitor beside me beeped steadily, but inside, everything felt like chaos.
"So what are you saying?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Dr. Myers looked down for a moment, then met my gaze again. "I’m saying you have to choose. If we try to save the baby, the odds are you won’t survive. If we prioritize your life, there’s a strong chance we can stabilize you. But that would mean terminating the pregnancy."
Silence fell like a hammer.
My hands trembled as I placed them over my stomach, cradling the slight swell that had only just begun to show. My baby. The tiny life growing inside me. My second heartbeat.
Tears welled in my eyes, but I didn’t let them fall. I thought of everything I’d been through. Elian’s rejection. The pain. The cold emptiness afterward. And then this child. This fragile, beautiful miracle that had held me together when I wanted to fall apart.
I shook my head. "No," I whispered, then louder, "No. I can’t choose myself. This baby is all I have."
"Vidya—"
"I’m keeping my baby," I said, this time with a voice that didn’t shake. My jaw tightened, and I sat up straighter despite the pain in my body. "No matter what happens to me, I’ll deliver this baby. Safe and sound."
Dr. Myers didn’t try to change my mind. He only nodded once, slowly, and stood.
"I’ll start working on a treatment plan," he said quietly. "We’ll do everything we can. I’ll give you a moment."
As he stepped out, the door whispered shut behind him.
I leaned back against the pillows, my chest rising and falling in slow, shaky breaths. The tears finally came, but they were quiet. No sobs. Just trails down my cheeks.
I looked down at my stomach and laid both hands over it, fingers spread gently.
"I’ll protect you," I whispered, tears slipping into the corners of my mouth. "Even if it kills me. I swear it."
And for the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel weak. I felt strong.
Because this was my choice.
And I would see it through.
- Writer
