Chapter 2

The doctor wheeled out a stretcher.

It was covered with a white sheet, and beneath it was just a tiny bundle.

I staggered forward, but two nurses held me up, each taking an arm.

"Ma'am, please don't get too worked up. You've still got a baby inside you, so you have to stay calm," one of the nurses urged.

I opened my mouth, wanting to call out for Eden, but my voice caught in my throat. I couldn't get a single word out.

"Eden Graham, time of death: 2:35 PM," the doctor announced, his voice heavy with regret.

His face was full of sorrow. "The child's fever lasted too long, and it led to severe meningitis. His throat was clogged with thick phlegm, and he struggled to breathe..."

"If, if you'd just come five minutes earlier, no, even three minutes might've been enough. I could've saved him," the doctor's voice shook with remorse.

My body started trembling uncontrollably, and all I could hear was a loud buzzing in my ears.

A sudden pain twisted in my stomach. I reached out, just wanting to see my son one last time, but my body went limp, and I collapsed.

I saw the doctors and nurses scrambling, and then they wheeled me straight back into the same operating room.

I was dazed, my eyelids so heavy that I couldn't even lift them.

In my dreams, Eden would flash his tiny baby teeth and wave at me, gurgling and cooing.

Then he'd suddenly start crying his heart out, clutching his throat, his face turning red as he struggled to breathe.

I was constantly trapped in a nightmare. Eden was all I could think about.

When I finally woke up, it was already three days later.

Hector was sitting by my bedside, a shadow of stubble on his jaw, his hair sticking up in every direction. He was holding my right hand in both of his.

I didn't have much strength left, but the moment he grabbed my hand, nausea hit me.

I looked around, my mind still foggy, and it finally hit me that I was in the hospital.

My hand automatically went to my stomach, only to find the bump that had been there was gone.

"Raya, you're awake. How are you feeling?" Hector asked, his voice full of concern.

He jumped to his feet, and a trace of hope appeared on his weary face.

"Don't get too worked up. If you need anything, tell me," he said, his tone gentle.

"You went into premature labor because you were so upset, and you lost a lot of blood during the operation..." Hector said, his voice heavy with concern.

I stared at Hector, rambling on and on, and it felt like my blood was boiling inside me.

The despair of losing my son crashed over me again. My voice was raw, and I wanted to curse him out, but then I suddenly remembered I hadn't even had the chance to say a proper goodbye to Eden.

I forced myself upright, bracing on my arms. Every tiny movement made the incision in my abdomen throb with agony.

"Where's Eden?" I croaked, my voice urgent and raw.

"Where's my son?" I choked out, desperation and grief twisting every word.

Hector couldn't meet my eyes, his gaze clouded with sorrow. "Eden is still in the morgue. I was worried you'd be devastated if you woke up and missed your chance to say goodbye."

Knowing Eden hadn't been buried yet, I felt a wave of relief, followed by heartbreak so deep that it hurt to breathe.

Eden was only two and a half. He died struggling to breathe, and he was left all alone in that cold, dark room.

I couldn't leave him there. I needed to see him.

I tried to get out of bed, but my legs gave way, and I crashed to the floor.

"Raya! You just had major surgery. You can't get up yet. Please, don't get so worked up, Raya..." Hector called out, his voice full of worry.

In the chaos, I snatched up the water cup from the nightstand and splashed it right at Hector.

The water was still steaming, and one side of his face flushed red instantly.

A nurse heard the commotion and rushed in, gasping, "Dr. Graham! What happened? You need to get that taken care of right away."

I stared at him, jaw clenched so tight it hurt, tears pouring down my cheeks. I could barely hold myself together.

"Hector, this is all your fault. You killed our son, and now you want to act all innocent?" I spat, my voice trembling with fury.

"Get the hell out! Go back to Melody and her sniffly little brat," I screamed, every word dripping with hate.

The nurse just stood there, frozen, while Hector's Adam's apple bobbed nervously. He looked totally lost, just standing there with no clue what to do.

God, he made me sick.

Who did he think he was fooling with that pathetic act?

"Raya, I get that you're upset, but Melody was all alone with her son, and they're way out in the suburbs. I only went over because, as a doctor, I had to. About Eden... I'm sorry. I really am," Hector mumbled, sounding helpless and guilty.

Smack!

I slapped him as hard as I could.

"Dr. Graham..." the nurse murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

I turned my face away, my voice shaking with anger. "Get out, Hector. Eden doesn't need a father like you, and he sure as hell doesn't need your pathetic act."

I yelled, "Just get out. Get as far away from me as you can."

"Raya, your body's still a mess. I'm not leaving you now," Hector insisted, his voice tight with worry.

I hurled anything I could grab across the room. The noise was so loud that doctors and nurses came running and surrounded me.

But Hector just stood his ground, refusing to go.

Who was he trying to fool with that pathetic act?

Ever since his first love, Melody, came back, Hector hardly ever came home anymore.

I was going to wait until after the baby was born to ask for a divorce.

But I was wrong.

Hector stood there, head hanging low, for half an hour, showing no sign of leaving.

When I couldn't take it anymore, his phone started ringing again.

He glanced at me, then headed out to the hallway to take the call.

Of course, it was Melody again.

I really didn't want to hear their sweet talk, but the hospital walls were way too thin.