Chapter 4
That afternoon, I decided to stay somewhere else for a few days.
I thought of Maya.
Maya Ruiz had been my friend since before I married Daniel.
We had drifted apart over the years, but I knew that if I truly needed somewhere to go, she would not turn me away.
I sent her a message and asked if I could stay for a few days.
Her reply came almost immediately.
Come.
I pulled out a suitcase and packed only two changes of clothes, toiletries, and my medical papers.
By the time I dragged the suitcase downstairs, I felt a sudden warmth.
I looked down.
There was blood on my pants.
For one second, every thought in my head disappeared.
Then I called Daniel.
"Rachel?"
"I'm bleeding."
His voice changed instantly.
"Where are you?"
"Don't move."
"I'm coming."
Then I heard Noah crying close to the phone.
A moment later, Victoria's anxious voice cut through the call.
Daniel moved the phone away.
I could not hear what they were saying, only Noah repeating the same words.
"Dad, don't go."
When Daniel came back on the line, his voice had changed.
"Rachel, call an ambulance, or find someone who can get to you right away."
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"What about you?"
"I'll meet you at the hospital."
"Noah is in a bad state, and his therapist is here."
"I'll handle this and come as soon as I can."
I ended the call and called Maya.
She arrived in less than twenty minutes.
The moment she saw the blood on my clothes, her face changed.
She did not ask questions.
She picked up my bag, helped me into the car, and drove straight to the hospital.
At reception, Maya gave the clerk my name while I concentrated on answering the nurse.
She knew where I had put the medical papers because I had told her on the way.
When someone asked about my last appointment, she opened the folder to the right page and held it where I could see it.
I had left the suitcase at the bottom of the stairs with its handle extended.
I asked her to lock the house later, and she said she would take care of it.
I kept one hand over my stomach the whole way.
Maya asked only once.
"Where is Daniel?"
I watched the streetlights blur past the window.
"He said he'll meet us there."
The emergency department kept me for hours.
The doctor said there was no immediate sign that I was losing the baby, but the bleeding was serious enough that they wanted me under observation.
A nurse attached the monitors.
By the time Daniel finally arrived, it was completely dark outside.
He came through the door breathing hard, his tie crooked.
"What did the doctor say?"
"Stable for now."
Relief crossed his face.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
I said nothing.
The doctor returned soon after and repeated the instructions.
I should not be alone tonight.
Someone needed to stay with me.
Daniel nodded immediately.
"I'll stay."
I looked at him but did not answer.
Ten minutes later, his phone rang.
Victoria's name lit the screen.
He ignored the first call.
When it rang again, he answered.
He hung up with his shoulders tense.
"What happened now?"
Daniel looked away.
"Noah fell apart again after they got home."
"He only wants me."
I stared at him.
"And?"
He was quiet for several seconds.
Then he reached for the coat hanging over the chair.
"I'm going over there for a little while."
"I'll come back soon."
At the door, Daniel looked back at me.
I pulled the blanket higher and turned toward the window.
A few minutes later, Maya walked in.
She glanced at the empty chair.
"Where's Daniel?"
"He left."
I handed her my phone.
"Help me with something."
"What?"
I looked at her.
"The moment the doctor clears me tomorrow, take me to your place."
Maya froze.
I kept going.
"And tonight, help me get my things out of that house."
Maya nodded.