“You didn’t see her. There was so much blood,” Nana said.
Katarina nodded her head, telling Dante that the old woman was not exaggerating. Cold fear blanketed hisinsides. “I need to find the doctors.” He strode off in search of some answers, desperate to hear that his wife would be okay. Five minutes later he returned to his mother and noticed that the pair had been joined by Salice and Marcia, both of their faces pale from the news. He felt the dread shift through his body and settle like a yoke on his shoulders. Abby had suffered an ectopic pregnancy and they could tell him no more until Dr. Molinari finished in the operating room.
All four women looked at him expectantly. He couldn’t meet their eyes. He’d left Abby in the Maldives—alone—while pregnant. Why hadn’t she told him?
Because you didn’t give her a chance to tell you.
He’d accused her of hiding the truth from him, of lying, yet he hadn’t given her a chance to explain. He’d left her upset and alone and… Oh God, what if that had worsened her condition, what if this was his fault?
“Did you know Abby was pregnant?” Salice asked.
He raised what he was sure were guilt-ridden eyes. “No.” His anguished reply echoed in the small waiting room.
“Don’t blame yourself. She was probably waiting for you to return home before telling you.”
Dante knew that was not the reason. His silly pride had gotten in the way, as it had before, and this time—this time—the penalty he might face could have far higher consequences. He’d do anything to turn back the clock.
Anything.
Half an hour later, Dr. Molinari emerged through the doors at the far end of the corridor, sweat soaking his green surgical smock. Dante prided himself on being able to read people. He watched the doctor approach and went rigid with shock. He couldn’t have moved to greet the doctor if he tried. Fear of what he’d learn kept his feet glued to the floor. His hands fisted at his sides and his heart pounded in his chest. He knew before the doctor spoke that thenews was not good.
Dr. Molinari looked at each person waiting anxiously for news. Dante saw him swallow and felt his world fall apart.
“Abby’s had an ectopic pregnancy that has resulted in a burst fallopian tube.” Dante ignored the gasps from the women surrounding him, totally focused on what Dr. Molinari would say next. The doctor looked directly at him, pity filling his eyes. Dante sucked in a deep breath, waiting for the blow. “There’s been a lot of internal hemorrhaging, and Abby’s lost a lot of blood.” The doctor paused. “She’s slipped into a coma.”
“No,” Nana cried. “Abby…” She promptly burst into tears, Katarina and Salice holding her up.
“The next twenty-four hours are crucial. If she makes it through the night, I have every confidence she’ll make a full recovery.”
Dante’s knees shook with the effort to stand. He almost stumbled under the blow.Make it through the night…
“Can I see her?” he asked in a whisper of a voice.
The doctor looked at him. “Of course. It sometimes helps to talk with her. The nurse will show you the way.”
The women moved toward the ward. Dante hung back. “Did Abby know she was pregnant?”
“I have no idea. Ectopic pregnancy can give a negative pregnancy result. Besides, she only learned of her condition at our first meeting. I’m not sure she took in everything I said. Only once we’d done the laparoscopic procedure would I know the extent of her condition. I did tell her that if she found herself pregnant she should come to me immediately. I warned her of the risks of an ectopic pregnancy given her endometriosis.” He raised an eyebrow. “I gather she didn’t tell you? Perhaps she did not know. Did you notice any signs?”
She hadn’t lied. She had only just learned of her condition. “No.” Dante inwardly berated himself.Because I was so self-absorbed. Because I’d told her, and proved to her by my actions, thatthe only thing I cared about was a child.Dante swallowed hard. He hoped and prayed he’d have a second chance to tell her that she was all that mattered to him.
“She did not tell me about her condition so I wouldn’t have worried.”
“She didn’t tell you…did my phone call…” The doctor sighed. “Don’t blame yourself. Her condition came as a big shock. It’s hard for any young woman to hear she may not be able to conceive. I did try to tell her there are many other options available to couples in your situation, but she seemed desperate to have your child.”
Dante shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you for all you have done.”
Dr. Molinari gave a wan smile. “Go and sit with your wife. She needs you now.”
Dante watched the doctor walk away and turned to look toward his wife’s room. He’d failed Abby once more. When she left him three years ago, he’d known it was his fault. He’d pushed her away because he thought it unfair to let her love him. The possibility of dying young like his father had him fooled into thinking she’d be better off without him. He’d done that to her because he loved her, but he hadn’t been thinking clearly. His rationale was flawed—he saw that now. Faced with Abby’s death, he realized how stupid his actions were. If he lost her, he’d be devastated. He was being given a very hard lesson in life. Everyone dies. Some sooner than others. But it’s how you live and love while on this earth that counts.
He entered her room and promised God he’d do anything to have a second chance with Abby—third chance. He’d already blown two.Please God, let me be third time lucky.
He needed to beg Abby’s forgiveness. No child was worth losing her.
His mother moved from the chair besideher bed so that he could sit down. He took her limp hand and pressed a kiss on her knuckles.
“I’ll get you some coffee,” he heard his mother say.
