I’m in a hospital.
But why? What happened?
I rub my eyes, trying to make sense of it all. The memory is fuzzy, and everything feels like a jumbled mess.
“You’re okay. Just hold on a moment. I’ll get your husband.”
There’s that word again.Husband. What is she talking about?
“Wait!” I call out, my voice catching in my throat. “I- I don’t have a husband. What’s going on?”
The nurse pauses, looking back at me, confusion in her eyes. “I- Sorry, a man carried you in earlier. We thought he was your…husband because he…” She trails off, biting her lip, clearly unsure how to put it into words.
“Because he what?” I’m on edge now, frustration mixing with confusion. “What did he do?” Who is this “he” she’s talking about?
“He was…furious,” she finally says, her voice quivering slightly. “Demanding the best doctors, yelling at everyone, acting like he owned the place. Honestly, he seemed like he was about to start a war in the hospital. He told us you’re his wife—”
“Who are you talking about?”
“He said his name is Lu-Luka Ivankov?” she stammers, looking at me as though she’s expecting a reaction. “He said he is your husband. And from the way he was acting… I mean, he was so concerned, so intense. I’ve never seen anyone act like that. Not for someone they didn’t care deeply about.”
Luka did what?
Memories come rushing back. The toy shop. The dollhouses. Yulia. I try to make sense of it all.
“Where is he?” I manage to choke out.
“He’s arranging some paperwork,” the nurse replies, still looking a bit bewildered by the whole situation. “Nurse Lisa has gone to get him.”
My mind is racing. I need some time to myself. Some space to think.
“How- how long was I out?” I finally ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Four hours,” she replies, her voice flat. “Straight out for four hours.”
Four fucking hours?
I can hardly believe it.
The nurse looks at me, her eyes wide. “Mr. Ivankov…he was here with you the whole time. Didn’t move an inch. He was calling your name, kissing your hands, and everything.”
“Luka did what?” I blurt out, my mind reeling. “No way. Luka wouldn’t do that, he…” I stop, realizing I don’t know what to say.
The image of Luka sitting by my side, holding my hand, just doesn’t fit with the guy I know. It’s all too weird.
My stomach suddenly tightens, a wave of nausea hitting me hard. “Must be the stress,” I mumble, clutching my belly.
“You don’t look too good…let me get you some water,” the nurse says, her voice laced with concern.
But I’m already on my feet, dashing into the bathroom. I barely make it to the toilet before I’m vomiting, tears streaming down my face.
Why is this happening to me?
There’s a gentle knock on the door, followed by the nurse’s soothing voice. “May I come in?”
I don’t answer, too focused on the taste of bile in my mouth.
She walks in anyway. “Here, this should help. When you’re pregnant, it’s pretty normal to have morning sickness during your first trimester.” She’s holding a towel soaked in peppermint essential oil.
