CHAPTER 48

Damien's POV

She gave me a grin.

I saw Helena. Until I opened my eyes and realized Helena wasn't there and I was in the hospital, she grinned down at me.

Mother slams the door shut and rushes in as soon as it opens. The door opens once again, Father enters, followed by Gabriel and Sabrina before she can reach my side.

Lisa entered the room as I was about to call her name while hunched down and her hands shaking.

My mother sobs, "Damien," and she puts her head on my belly.

Father takes my hand as Gabriel smiles down at me as they are all around me. They had to be frightened. I terrified them.

I felt the same way. I believed I was going to pass away.

But now I'm perplexed. I had no idea why Helena was looking down at me with that smile.

Is it because she has forgiven me or because she is proud of me for putting such anguish on myself?

Why don't I feel any better if she had forgiven me? I continue to feel as if the whole weight of the world is resting on my shoulders.

I'm merely relieved that I'm still alive.

I wonder why she isn't approaching me while Damien stays back and maintains a neutral expression while observing me.

"Quit bothering the little guy. Father grabs Mother's hand and pulls her away from me as he circles to the other side to get hold of her. "I think we should leave him now to rest," he says.

If they can go, I will be happy. Gabriel and I need to converse only. I'm in need of him right now. He is the one person who really comprehends me and is my confidant.

She tries to break free of his grip but pleads, "Let's stay here."

Saying "No, woman!" He scolds her. Let's return home. You're not married to him. We will return first thing in the morning, and his wife will remain with him. He must take a nap.

Mother reaches a moment of silence before turning her attention to Lisa, whose head is still bowed.

Does she cry? Has anything happened between my mum and her?

Mother tightens her teeth and says, "This bitch won't stay with my son," so I know something must have occurred. I am aware that I must step in.

"She'll remain, and you may return home. Isn't she my wife, though? I can't help but assault her. She turns to face me, a flicker of pain on her face.

I'm not sure whether my rage is a result of what she must have done to Lisa or because she is to blame for Lisa and me getting married. She is the reason I married Lisa, thus the fact that she doesn't acknowledge Lisa as my wife enrages me.

What in the name of Satan does she need from me?

I've come to the decision that I won't ever listen to her again. She has chosen to be an ingrate by refusing to accept Lisa when we are doing this for her enjoyment, therefore I won't do things against my will simply because she wants them.

"I'll also linger behind. I only need to deliver Sabrina to her house. Because of the infant, she won't be able to sleep well here," Gabriel says, to my Mother's shock.

"Is your wife expecting?" She asks right away, the pain gone and replaced by a grin.

I share everyone else's amazement. I was unaware that Sabrina was expecting. Gabriel and I last met, and he didn't let me know that they had only lately learned about it. Or maybe he did it on purpose since he knows how much I detest kids.

A grin spreads over Lisa's face as she lifts her head up and directs her attention to Sabrina, who isn't returning the gaze.

My Mother and Father said "Congratulations" to her.

She responds, "Thank you," and her smile makes me delighted for them.

They want this, after all. It's about time they started having children since they had been married for seven months.

I turn my head away from each of them. The conversation's shift isn't making things any better. They should all go because the subject has been changed to infants.

Until I hear my mother yell at Lisa once again, I don't pay attention to what they are saying.

"Hasn't it been a month since you two were wed? Have you yet been able to get pregnant?

There is a pause.

Nobody is speaking out to speak up for Lisa. even my father didn't.

Before I can say anything to stop Mother and beg everyone to pardon me, Sabrina comes out in Lisa's favor.

"Mom, sometimes it takes months to become pregnant. I've been married to Gabriel for seven months.

They all pause as she repeats, "But you were once pregnant after your first month, if you didn't suffer a miscarriage, you would be getting ready to welcome your kid into the world by now.

Can you go at this time?" Father takes her hand when I demand it.

"You know how he feels about talking about kids, what's wrong with you?" As they leave, he says in a low voice to her.

I groan loudly as soon as they leave the room.

Lisa is approached by Sabrina, who gives her another embrace. She begins to sob. "It's okay,"

She isn't coming near to me, which makes it difficult for me to reassure her that everything will be well.

Gabriel instead approaches. "Man, what just happened?"

He pulls a cane chair over to me and slumps in as he waits for me to respond.

I don't say anything for a time as I consider how to explain what happened to him. I honestly don't know how it occurred, and I never intended to damage myself so badly that I had to go to the hospital.

I respond, "The same thing that happened when she died," hoping he would comprehend as I continue to look out into space.

He grabs my hand and gives it a firm squeeze of confidence in response. When I feel my eyes hurt, I take a big breath.

I'm not sure what she meant when she smiled at me. I don't see any change, however.

Why is she saying what she says? What message is she attempting to convey?

Although her lips were moving, I was unable to hear her. All I could make out was her stunning grin, which lightened everything except my dark side.

You'll be alright, promise? I'm startled out of my daydream by Gabriel's voice.

I nod. I'll be alright even though I don't think I will. Two years of suffering have passed. When will it be finished?

I watch him as he turns around to look at Isabella and Sabrina speaking softly. I'm sorry for her.

She is here because of what I did. After ignoring me for days and treating me like garbage, I yelled at her once more.

She may not be my wife, but for crying out loud, she is my wife.

I could still see her pleading with me to stay. Despite the fact that we may not sense a connection, I am aware of her concern for me.

When I went home today, I felt a bit let down since she didn't welcome me like she used to. However, I am aware that I haven't returned her pleasantries in days. I realized it today since she refused to greet me.

I didn't intend to use the term. Simply put, I didn't want to arouse her with my anger.

Gabriel turns to face me once again and whispers in my ear. "She told us that when she asked you who Helena was, you went crazy and were cold to her."

I keep looking at her. I'm not sure whether Sabrina is sobbing because of my mother or because of me as I watch her wipe away her tears.

The answer is "yes, she did."

After a long exhalation from Gabriel, there is stillness. In order to understand how severe it is and what to do once I leave the hospital, I want to ask him what my Mother did to Lisa.

However, I believe it will be best to do it when we are alone ourselves. No, not with Sabrina and Isabella present.

Gabriel leaps to his feet as I start to nod off. We should go. I'll be returning the following day.

I nod in agreement. So that my mother wouldn't object to Lisa remaining here by herself with me, he must have stated he would stay behind. He must accompany his pregnant wife, who is also bearing his kid.

I'm aware of it, and I won't put any of them out by taking advantage of my own predicament.

He pulls my hand one more and says, "Take care, bro," before turning to go see his wife.

I like Gabriel's personality the best when it is just like this. That responsible and thoughtful part of him.

"Please look after him. Early in the morning, we'll be here. He says, "Make sure he sleeps too; he looks sleepy already," and Lisa nods in agreement.

Before Gabriel does so as well, Sabrina offers her another embrace. Before leaving with his wife, he gives her a slap on the back and casts one more look my way.

As they go, I can't take my eyes off their joined fingers because it makes me think of someone.

I used to hold hands with this person. Someone who is very important to me. I enjoy someone caressing me.

As my eyes start to close, I realize I can't resist falling asleep.

I attempt to smile at Lisa and reassure her that I'm alright and that I'll take care of Mother tomorrow morning as she strolls up to the cane chair from which Gabriel got up. However, I am unable to do so.

I was given a strong sedative. She puts her hand on mine, and I fall asleep.