My Son Watched Me Bleed

Chapter 2 A Heartbreaking Loss

Nina awoke to find herself ensconced in a hospital bed.

The sharp aroma of antiseptic hung heavily in the sterile air, blending with the glaring fluorescent lights and the dull ache that throbbed in her abdomen.

Pushing aside the looming discomfort, she anxiously glanced toward Simon, who sat quietly by her side, and asked, "Where's Nate? Is he alright? He left to call for help and hasn't come back. I'm so worried."

Simon paused before answering, "He's alright."

Nina released a sigh of relief, her hand instinctively moving to her abdomen.

It was flat.

Her voice cracked, rough like gravel, "The baby's gone."

Tears welled up in her eyes, brimming with sorrow.

She had fought so hard to protect this life, yet it had slipped away despite her desperate efforts.

Simon embraced her, murmuring assurances.

"It hurts to lose a baby. But remember, we still have Nate. Right now, we need to focus on your health."

As tears traced paths down Nina's face, she readied herself to speak. At that moment, the door swung open and Nate strode in.

"Dad, we need to visit Vivian."

Nina's sobs were abruptly silenced. Her own son, in the midst of her grief, was urging them to see someone else?

Unthinking, she clung to Simon's sleeve, but he gently stepped away.

He rose, saying, "Vivian's going through something. I'll be back soon."

Vivian Wood, Simon's foster sister, had been staying with them for a while.

Nina had always felt empathetic towards Vivian, who was single and expecting, and had often tried to accommodate her. But now, Nina herself had just suffered the loss of her baby, yet her husband and son were leaving her side for someone else?

"Simon!"

Her voice rose, raw with despair, "I just lost our baby!"

He hesitated briefly, glancing back at her with eyes clouded by an emotion she couldn't quite grasp.

It seemed like a mix of guilt and relief.

He turned to the bodyguards stationed outside the hospital room, "Nina just lost the baby. She's frail right now, so make sure she doesn't go anywhere."

Nina flung the covers aside, determined to follow him.

But before her feet could touch the floor, two men dressed in black blocked her way.

"Mrs. Moore, Mr. Moore insists you need to rest and not leave."

Nina clenched the edge of her hospital gown so tightly that her fingernails almost tore through the fabric.

She said nothing, simply staggered over to the window.

From the hospital window, she spotted Nate snuggled up beside Vivian, his little hand placed gently on her belly.

"Vivian, don't worry. I won't let any child take your baby's attention."

Vivian gently tousled his hair.

Nate's eyes sparkled with a mischievous smile.

"Every time Mom's expecting, I make sure she loses it. Just one bowl of soup did the trick this time. Vivian, wasn't I clever?"

Nina grasped the window frame with sudden intensity.

Was it the soup Nate had given her that caused the miscarriage?

She lost all sense, climbing out the window and charging towards them, unable to hold back from slapping Nate.

"You're just a child! How could you be so heartless?"

Nate rubbed his cheek, defiant, "What did I do wrong? No one's allowed to vie for attention with Vivian's baby, not even Mom's."

Nina's thoughts raced chaotically, her face wet with tears.

This was the child she had carried for nearly a year, risking everything to bring into the world.

Her voice trembled as she asked, "Why?"

The boy, a spitting image of Simon, looked at her with nothing but disdain.

"Why?" he retorted, his tone sharp. "You dare ask why?"

He jabbed a finger at her accusingly, "You're just mooching off my dad, living on his dime. You've never earned a cent. You're a leech! A burden! You're nowhere near as good as Vivian!"

Nina was taken aback.

She and Simon had built the Moore Group from the ground up. She had only stepped back to have Nate.

"This is my dad's house, my dad's and mine, Vivian's and the little one she's expecting!"

Nate's voice crescendoed, filled with animosity, "Who are you to bring another baby here to take what's ours? Leave! Now!"

Nina seemed frozen, her strength seeping from her.

"Nate, you mustn't talk to your mother that way."

Vivian approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

While she pretended to chastise him, her eyes were alight with satisfaction. "Nina, don't take it out on Nate. He's a child and doesn't understand. He just cares deeply for the baby I'm carrying. You've just come from the hospital. You should be resting. There's always a chance for another child."

Her voice lowered conspiratorially, "If that's even possible."

Nina stared at her, feeling her blood turn to ice, caught in memories of operating rooms and lost children. Trembling, she reached out.

But Vivian dramatically fell before Nina could even touch her.

She landed hard, clutching her belly, wailing, "Ah! My belly! My baby!"

Nate rushed to her side, glaring at Nina with hatred.

"You attacked my Vivian! You want her baby dead! Get lost!"

He flew at Nina, hitting and kicking, dismissing the pain she had just endured.

She heard footsteps approaching from behind.

Before she could see who it was, a stinging slap hit her cheek.

She fell to the floor, face throbbing, vision blurred with tears and stars.

Looking up, she saw Simon towering over her, his expression thunderous and unyielding.

"Nina! How could you be so heartless when she's expecting?"

Seriously?

If Vivian's child was so precious, then what about the four she had lost?

"Simon, if she's the one you love, let's end this marriage!"

Simon, looking frantic, scooped Vivian up and dashed out, ignoring Nina's words completely.

Nate stood aside, a smirk playing on his lips. "Mom, without Dad, how will you cope? Don't fool yourself with empty threats of divorce."

He spun around and bolted, not sparing her a second glance.

Nina watched them disappear and suddenly began to chuckle softly.

She was determined to leave Simon and Nate too!

She unearthed an old phone, dialed, and said, "Dad, I've had a change of heart. I shouldn't have compromised for him. Please help me get a divorce. I'm open to marrying into the Lynn family."