Betrayal Ashes

The Luna's Loss

Chapter 4

Anessa's Pov

“What… What are you doing here? No wait… What am I doing here? I'm supposed to be dead, aren't I? Lily pushed me off the bridge.” I said the last part of the sentence to myself, but I had no idea that Zachary heard it.

“You were pushed off the bridge?” He frowned, his gold rimmed glasses followed his movements.

I turned my attention to him, sighed and leaned on the bed as a flurry of thoughts went through my head. Why was he here? Zachary and I broke up long before I met Alaric and fell in love with him, he told me that he was never going to come back so why now? Why was he back now?

Wait… Why was he even here in the first place?

“I was the one who saved you.” As if understanding my thoughts, Zachary explained. I glanced at him, about to say something else when a doctor entered. I went silent instantly.

“Miss Anessa, do you feel any pain?” The doctor questioned and I shook my head, but on a second thought, I nodded, “Where?”

“In my abdomen. He mentioned that I was going to tear my stitches, what are you talking about? Apart from my stomach, I don't feel pain so where could the stitches be?” I tilted my head, confused.

None of the people in front of me said a thing, both were quiet. My eyes narrowed, “Where is the…” I froze and raised the bed covers, revealing my flat stomach but there were stitches under, like I had a caesarean section. My hands trembled as I pressed them to where my baby should have been. Panic surged through me, and my voice cracked as I whispered, "Where is my baby?"

The doctor exchanged a solemn glance with Zachary before stepping closer to the bed. He hesitated, as though searching for the right words, "Miss Anessa.” He began softly, "I'm so sorry, but the trauma you endured caused severe internal injuries. You suffered a miscarriage and unfortunately, we don't know if you might… ever have a child again.” His voice trailed off, and the weight of his silence hit me like a blow.

I stared at him, the words not registering at first. I blinked, confused. Then slowly, the corners of my lips widened into a smile, “What… Did you say? I… I heard wrong, didn't I? Did you just say that I lost…” My voice cracked, “That I lost my baby? And I… I may never have another one? Ever?”

I blinked, trying to process what I heard, “You're joking. Tell me you're joking, alright?” I glanced at the doctor, pleading. However, the look in his eyes told me that it was true. What he said was true. He started speaking again, but I could barely hear what he was saying. His words were like a fog that was beginning to cloud my brain.

“Anessa.” Zachary called out my name, making me tremble.

“I know this is difficult news but with the right care and… we… anything to help you… and baby…” The doctor's words came in like a broken playlist.

"No." I croaked, shaking my head vehemently, "No, no, no! My baby... my baby can't be gone!”

"Anessa…" Zachary's voice was calm but tinged with concern as he reached for my hand.

"Don't!" I snapped, jerking away from him. Tears blurred my vision as a guttural sob tore from my throat, "You don’t understand. That baby was all I had left! It was the only thing keeping me going! Even though I thought I was going to die, at least, I wasn't going to be alone but now I lost my baby! I lost my baby!”

The doctor placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, "I know this is hard to hear, but you're lucky to be alive. The injuries you sustained... it’s a miracle we were able to save you at all."

"I didn’t ask for a miracle! I didn't ask to be saved!" I screamed, my voice breaking, "I wanted my child! Even if he didn't want the child, I wanted my baby! My baby didn’t deserve this! It didn't! It's all her fault! It's all Lily's fault! I'll kill her! I'll kill both of them!” I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, ignoring the heart stopping pain in my abdomen as I tried to stand. My body was weak, trembling, but my rage fueled me.

“Anessa, stop!” Zachary’s voice was firm, but I didn’t care.

"I’ll kill her!" I shouted again, struggling to push myself upright, "She took everything from me! She doesn't get to walk away! She doesn't get to…"

The sharp sting of pain in my abdomen made me gasp out in pain and collapse. Before I could hit the floor, Zachary caught me, his arms wrapping around me securely.

“Let go of me!” I screamed, thrashing against him. The force of my movements caused the stitches in my abdomen to tear, and I felt the warm, sticky sensation of blood seeping through the hospital gown. But I didn’t care. The pain in my body was nothing compared to the agony in my heart.

“Anessa, stop!” Zachary said again, his voice softer this time, but no less firm. He pulled me back against his chest, holding me tightly despite my struggles.

“Let me go!” I sobbed, pounding my fists weakly against his chest, “You don’t understand, Zachary! She killed my baby! My baby is gone because of her! I have nothing left! Nothing!”

Zachary didn’t let go. His arms remained around me, strong and unyielding, even as I fought him with what little strength I had left.

“I know, Anessa.” He whispered, his voice breaking, “I know it hurts. I know you’re in so much pain you don’t know what to do with it. But I’m here. I’m not going to let you do this to yourself. Please, stop.”

His words cut through the haze of my grief, and for a moment, I froze. My body sagged against his as my strength left me completely. I broke into gut-wrenching sobs, my cries loud and unrelenting as they echoed in the sterile hospital room.

“It’s not fair!” I wailed, clutching at Zachary’s shirt as if it were the only thing holding me to reality, “Why did this happen to me? What did I do to deserve this?”

Zachary held me tighter, his hand gently stroking my hair as he murmured, “You didn’t deserve this, Anessa. None of this is your fault. You’ve been through more than anyone should ever have to endure. But you’re not alone. I’m here. I’ve got you.”

I cried harder at his words, my grief pouring out of me in waves that I couldn’t control. My chest ached, my throat burned, and still, the tears wouldn’t stop.

Zachary didn’t move. He stayed there, holding me as if his embrace could shield me from the world, his quiet reassurances the only sound in the room. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself fall apart.