PFMED 9
1198 Words
Reed froze for a split second, his eyes widening in shock as she stayed limp and unconscious in his hand.
“Aria?”
His grip on her tightened instantly, his gaze scanning her pale face as something unfamiliar crept into his chest.
His jaw clenched, his eyes darkening dangerously as he pulled her closer.
“Aria… open your eyes.” He called out softly, but there was no response.
“Leo!”
Leo, who had been about to go after the fleeing figures, stopped instantly and turned back. The playful smirk on his face vanished the moment he saw Aria unconscious in Reed’s arms.
“Boss…”
“Get the car. Now.” Reed’s voice was cold and emotionless.
Leo didn’t hesitate. He bolted out immediately to start the car.
“If anything happens to you…” His voice lowered into something almost inhuman, “…I will burn everything to the ground.”
He didn’t wait any longer.
Lifting her effortlessly into his arms, he strode out of the restaurant with long, urgent steps, his presence alone clearing the path ahead of him.
Outside, the car screeched to a halt in front of him.
Leo jumped out and opened the back door.
Reed got in immediately, carefully laying Aria across his lap, one hand supporting her head.
“Drive to the nearest hospital now!” He commanded, whispering Aria's name, but the latter stood unconscious in his hands.
Leo didn't waste a second. He slammed his foot on the accelerator, the car speeding off.
Reed's face never left Aria.
His jaw clenched hard, his finger brushing lightly against her cheek as if trying to wake her up.
For the first time in years, impatient claws clawed at him.
The moment the car screeched to a halt in front of a hospital, Reed stepped out immediately, carrying Aria as if she weighed nothing.
“Emergency!”
His voice cut through the air sharply, drawing instant attention.
Nurses rushed forward with a stretcher, their movements quick and practiced.
“Sir, place her here!”
Reed hesitated for a split second before carefully laying her down, his eyes still locked on her unconscious face.
“She suddenly collapsed,” his brow furrowed in worry.
They didn’t waste time.
Aria was wheeled away immediately toward the emergency room.
Reed followed closely behind, his long strides matching their pace, his expression dark and unreadable.
As he was about to make his way in, the ER was shut, and a nurse spoke. “Sir, you can't go in. Please wait outside.”
Reed’s eyes slowly lifted to the closed door, his jaw tightening as his hands curled into fists at his sides.
Reed dragged a hand through his hair, pacing the hallway like a caged beast. Nurses and doctors who passed by instinctively lowered their heads, sensing the dangerous aura radiating from him.
After what seemed like an hour, the door to the ER opened, and Aria was taken to a normal ward.
The moment the doctor stepped out, Reed rushed toward him, his eyes still clouded with worry.
“How is she?” he demanded, his voice low but urgent.
The doctor adjusted his glasses, slightly taken aback by Reed’s imposing presence. “She’s stable for now.”
Reed’s jaw tightened. “For now?”
“Yes,” the doctor continued carefully. “She fainted due to extreme stress, physical exhaustion, and lack of proper nutrition.”
Reed’s expression darkened instantly.
“She hasn’t been taking care of herself,” the doctor added.
A flicker of anger crossed Reed’s face, but it wasn’t directed at her.
It was for her.
“And…” the doctor hesitated briefly.
Reed’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “And what?”
The doctor met his gaze. “I can see the bruises on her body. How can she be treated like that despite being in such a delicate condition?”
Reed didn’t react immediately, but the shift in his expression was terrifying.
“Excuse me?” he said slowly, his brow lifting. “What condition?”
The doctor frowned, clearly confused by his reaction. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know.”
Reed's jaw ticked in irritation while staring back at the doctor with confusion.
“She’s pregnant.”
Reed’s eyes widened, the words hitting him like a blow.
For a brief second, his expression cracked.
“…Pregnant?” he repeated, his voice dangerously quiet.
“Yes. About four weeks.”
Silence fell between him and the doctor.
Reed’s fists clenched tightly at his sides, his mind already racing.
Four weeks was equal to that, and it was true that night he didn't use protection.
It lined up too perfectly, and yet it was impossible.
He knew his condition too well, so how could this happen?
A dark look crossed his face, disbelief flashing in his eyes before it hardened into something sharper.
“Doctor…” His voice dropped, controlled but strained. “Are you sure?”
The doctor straightened slightly, a hint of offense in his tone. “We ran the necessary tests. There’s no mistake.”
He was left speechless, wondering exactly what had happened.
His eyes became unreadable as they settled on the ward where she was wheeled to.
****
Aria’s fingers twitched slightly against the white sheets.
A soft groan escaped her lips as her brows furrowed.
Her eyelids fluttered open slowly.
The first thing she noticed was the unfamiliar ceiling.
A faint antiseptic smell filled her nose, making her frown slightly.
Where… was she?
Her gaze shifted weakly, taking in the IV drip attached to her hand, the quiet beeping of machines, and the sterile walls.
Only then did it occur to her that she was in a hospital, and her memory came rushing back.
How her stepbrother Dylan had grabbed a plank to get rid of her baby with it, and how the man she had slept with the other night came to save her.
Aria's breath hitched sharply, and her hands instinctively flew to her stomach, her fingers trembling as fear gripped her chest.
“My baby….” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
And the man arrived there on time when she needed him.
Her brow furrowed in confusion, and she wondered how he could be there at that exact time.
Was it a coincidence, or did he just happen to be there?
Her eyes widened in fear as a thought settled on her mind.
What if he finds out she's pregnant and has come for his baby?
What if he did not want the pregnancy and wanted to make her abort it?
****
“Doctor, can I go in and see her?” Reed asked, his mind still reeling from the doctor’s revelation.
“Yes, please go in. She must be conscious by now.” The doctor reassured.
Reed walked briskly to Aria's ward, his mind thumping loudly.
He took a deep breath before entering her ward, but as soon as he entered. He was met with an empty ward
.
The IV needle was ripped out, and the bedsheet was crumpled.
A faint trace of blood stained the white sheets.
Aria was nowhere to be seen.
“Aria!”
- Writer
