Crippled By Love: The Rise Of A Female Tycoon

Chapter 1:The Agony of Waiting Jenny's POV…. The labor ward smelt faintly of antiseptic and baby powder. I had been in labor for almost 14hours, I was so exhausted but determined to have my baby. My contractions were strong and steady, and the midwife encouraged me that I was making good progress. My husband Patrick, was nowhere to be found. My gaze was fixed at the door hoping he would walk right through it. Every sound of the door that creaks open makes me wish he was the one. I was groaning out his name in pain as the contractions got deeper, hoping maybe he would hear me. I lost the strength to even push my baby out, because Patrick was nowhere near to hold my hands and encourage me throughout this excruciating moment. Then suddenly, the midwife went to check my dilation, and her expression froze. “What is it?” I asked immediately, noticing the sudden mood in the room. The midwife didn't answer me immediately, her gloved fingers might have touched something that wasn't meant to be there. Instead of the baby's head presenting itself firmly against the cervix, she felt a soft, pulsing cord slipping down. The umbilical cord has prolapsed. Her eyes darted to the monitor. My baby's heart rate was already dipping. “Cord prolapse” she called out sharply, voice steady but urgent. Within seconds, the room that was once quiet and intimate was suddenly in chaos. Nurses rushed in, one pressed the emergency button. I was panting and confused. “What's happening? Is my baby okay?” I cried out. The doctor rushed in immediately, he leaned over, “your baby's cord slipped down, that means it's been squeezed, and your baby isn't getting enough oxygen, we need to act fast” “What does that mean?” I asked, voice shaking. I was so afraid at that moment. “We need to perform a C-section to bring the baby out,” the doctor answered. “Where's your husband?” He continued…. “He needs to sign the agreement papers before we can proceed with the operation”. And with the thought of him never showing up, I burst out in tears. Uncontrollably. My sheets were drenched in my own tears. My heart was beginning to shatter into pieces. And in that excruciating moment, I thought I was going to lose my baby. “Ma'am why are you crying? The midwife asked. I couldn't bring myself to answer her. “Can we wait a little more for him?” I asked amidst tears. “We don't have enough time, the baby is going to die because he is losing oxygen”, the doctor replied. I threw my face to the wall staring blankly at it, tears falling down freely. That thought of losing my child breaks me more. “We need to carry on without him,” he said. “I'm sorry…” As he spoke, the midwife held the baby's head off the cord, I was tilted to relieve pressure, and rushed for an emergency C-section. In the operating room, doctors delivered my baby boy just in time. And after a tense silence, I heard his cry, alive and safe. I sobbed with relief. The danger has passed. Jeremy, my baby was alive. I held him tightly to my chest. In a moment I was afraid I was going to lose him, but there was a glimpse of hope whispering that things would turn out well. And it did now that I held him so close to my heart. Then I felt loneliness in its most vulnerable way. I felt anger. My chest tightened at the thought of Patrick not showing up for us. For the birth of his child. I was so sad because I was powerless. I couldn't do anything….. “Hi Mrs Jenny”, I was interrupted by the midwife. “Hi nurse” “How are you feeling?”she asked, all smiles. “Getting better nurse, thanks”, I replied, trying to sound normal. “Congratulations once again” “Thank you for your help” I replied. “You are welcome” “ Heard anything from your husband, Mr Patrick?” I shook my head rather awkwardly, forcing a smile on my face. “Alright, let me know if you need anything. Take care Mrs Jenny”, she smiled and left. She was very nice, I wouldn't want to lie to her. I sat waiting patiently for Patrick. I called his phone for like the thousandth time but it all went to voicemail. He never responded. After spending days at the hospital, neglected, I was moved to the waiting room because I wasn't able to bail myself from the hospital. Nobody came for me. My pride shattered. I became so tired of waiting, and with my pride gone, I made a hard decision to call an old friend from college. Lucas. He was the last hope I had. “Hello…. Lucas”, I whispered into my phone, voice breaking. “I need your help, please come….”