Athilda's pov
My heart was pounding, and I could not stop thinking. That face. That handsome doctor's face kept replaying in my head, the same man I had a one-night stand with.
Fate really does enjoy playing games, does it not? Who would have thought that he, of all people, would turn out to be the Enzo doctor everyone was talking about, the one assigned to this very hospital where I work.
Unbelievable. I cannot let him recognize me. He must not see me. I feel so embarrassed… and honestly, scared. I still have two more weeks before I officially return to duty, which means I might not see him until then. But what if I do see him before that? What would I even do?
"Sis Ath."
The voice calling my name snapped me back to the present. Hmm… I came here for Yumi. I should be focusing on her, not that doctor. I need to push him out of my thoughts.
"Dear, are you alright? You look pale. You have been quiet and distant since earlier," Yumi's mother asked gently.
I forced a small smile and shrugged. "I am okay. Right, Yumi? We are okay, right? We can still fight this together. Go, go, fight, fight… right?"
Yumi was lying weakly on the hospital bed. Her skin looked pale, dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her body had grown so thin. Just looking at her eyes, I could tell, she was exhausted.
"Miss, I can't… I am really tired," she whispered, barely getting the words out.
And just like that, my tears began to fall. All my worries faded. All I could think about was her.
"Miss Ath… do not cry. I am actually happy. Mama and Papa are happy too. Mama? Me Papa? You both said it is okay now, did you not?" Yumi said with a smile, turning to her parents.
"Yes, sweetheart. We are happy," her mother replied with a trembling smile. But the pain in her eyes could not be hidden. Her father just nodded quietly, trying to stay strong.
"See, Miss? Mama is smiling. She is not crying. They are happy for me. Can I close my eyes now? I want to rest. I feel happy… really," Yumi said with a tired but peaceful voice.
"No… no," I murmured, shaking my head as I held on tightly to Tita, Yumi's mother.
She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and gave me a faint, sorrowful smile, one that quietly said, "It's alright now. Let her go. She's tired. We've accepted it."
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. When I opened them again, I gave a small nod and stepped closer to Yumi's bed.
"You can rest now, baby," I whispered, my voice breaking with every word.
"Y-yes… Thank you, Miss Ath… for everything. Mama, Papa… I love you all…" she said faintly, her words growing softer until her eyes slowly closed.
I quickly checked her pulse. It was getting weaker, slower with each passing second.
Tita began to cry, her sobs filling the room. Her husband moved closer, trying his best to hold her as she broke down completely.
The doctor arrived, it was Doctor Alen. I stepped back quietly, giving her space to check on Yumi.
After a few moments, her voice came low and steady.
"Time of death… 2:37 PM."
My knees nearly gave way. Everything in me sank. The room felt heavier, the air too hard to breathe. Yumi was gone. She was really gone.
******************
It was already seven in the evening by the time I got home. I decided to go back to the mansion instead of my condo. For some reason, I missed my old bedroom.
As soon as I walked in, I saw Sister Talia in the living room, happily playing with Vivienne. I ignored them and headed straight upstairs, but of course, I heard sister Talia call out behind me.
"Ath? Why did you not come home last night? Were you crying?"
I turned slightly and gave her a cold look.
"I stayed at the condo. Yes," I replied shortly, then rushed up the stairs. I did not want to talk to her, not now. I was afraid I might say something I would regret.
The moment I stepped into my room, I locked the door behind me and collapsed on my bed. I felt drained. My body was heavy, and my eyes even more so.
Now, I am taking care of Vivienne since Mom, Dad, and her parents are all busy. They are preparing for Talia's birthday. It is still two weeks away, but everyone is already in a panic. They want it to be a grand celebration. They even said there would be a big announcement.
They have not told me what it is, but I can already guess. Lucien moves fast, and I am pretty sure Talia is pregnant again. I saw her throwing up earlier; classic morning sickness. She was never like that before, so it is obvious.
Wow. Good for her, pregnant with baby number two. And me? Still nothing.
It has already been a week since that one-night stand. I have taken a pregnancy test, but it came out negative. Well, it is still early. Maybe in two or three weeks, something will finally show. I am so excited! Once I get pregnant, Mom and Dad will stop pressuring me about having a child. I will finally have a baby of my own. I will not feel jealous anymore.
Just one more week left of my vacation, and then, boom, I am back to work. And double boom, I'll have to face him. Mr. Enzo. My one-night stand.
But the hospital is big. I should be able to avoid him… hopefully.
Oh, please let me avoid him. I cannot imagine how embarrassing it would be to face him again.
"Poor baby Vivienne," I said, watching her play on the floor of her playroom. "Looks like Mommy and Daddy will have a new baby soon."
"M-Mam," she said in her cute little voice. She is not even two years old yet and still learning how to talk.
I picked her up and lifted her playfully, tossing her gently in the air, making her giggle. Her laugh was enough to melt the heaviness in my heart, even just a little.
"The baby! Baby Vivienne is so cute. Burbur bur! Yieeyah!" I said while smiling, my voice playful. I could not help it, she was just too adorable. I hugged her tightly, wishing I could have a child just like her someday.
"Hehehe," she giggled, making me laugh too. But then… I caught a strong, unpleasant smell.
"Uhm, baby… did you do a poo?" I asked, knowing full well she would not answer. I checked her diaper, and yes, confirmed. She definitely did.
I picked her up right away and stood, deciding not to call one of the maids. I could change her myself.
We headed upstairs to Talia's room since that is where all of Vivienne's stuff, diapers, wipes, alcohol, everything, were kept.
When we got there, I pushed the door open with my left hand while holding Vivienne in my right arm. I went straight to the bathroom and washed her gently.
"Tat-a!" she laughed again, and I smiled. She was seriously too precious. I pinched her little nose and kissed her on the forehead. Gosh, I could eat her up. I really hope I get to have a baby of my own soon, one just like her.
After washing her, I cleaned my hands with soap and water, then dried them and carried her over to the crib.
"Wait here, okay? Let me find where your diapers are. Do not move too much," I told her, as if she could really understand everything.
"Hehehe," she giggled again, and I smiled wide.
I sanitized my hands, grabbed the baby powder and wipes, then placed them neatly on the changing table.
I opened the cabinet where her diapers were stored. Once I found them, I reached for one, but it slipped out of my hand and dropped. I bent down to pick it up, but then something else caught my eye. There, under the bed, was a black box. Curious, I pulled it out.
"What is this?" I asked aloud. The box looked black, very noticeable. But what really made me pause was the fact that it was under the bed.