Chapter 8 - The Worst News

Elio's gaze was fixed on Doctor Milena, reflecting deep tension and anxiety.Doctor Milena took a deep breath before continuing, trying to provide clear yet empathetic explanations.Doctor Milena began to explain, "Mr. Elio, I will explain as clearly as possible. But please, Mr. Elio, try to accept this reality with more wisdom. Perhaps it is God's will.""What do you mean, Doctor?" Elio tried to digest every detail conveyed by Doctor Milena.Doctor Milena began to explain, "Mr. Elio, I must inform you that Mrs. Vera's condition is quite serious. In addition to the miscarriage she experienced, the severe impact on her head also caused disruption to several brain nerves and severe brain damage."Elio felt his chest tighten upon hearing the news. His mind immediately went to Vera, still lying weakly in the hospital bed. "But will Vera be okay? Will she wake up?"Doctor Milena continued with empathy. "The severe impact experienced by Mrs. Vera has caused severe damage to several brain nerves. This has resulted in serious disturbances in brain function, including significant cognitive impairment."Elio looked puzzled and anxious, "Cognitive impairment... what does that mean, Doctor?"Doctor Milena tried to explain in more detail, "This means that Mrs. Vera's ability to think, plan, remember, and perform daily tasks could be severely affected. The nerves that control these functions are damaged, and the healing process can be very complex and difficult to predict."Elio swallowed hard, trying to contain the overwhelming concern within him. "I'm sorry, Doctor. Please explain it in simpler terms for me to understand."Doctor Milena sighed again, preparing herself to deliver an explanation that felt very heavy to hear. "The brain damage suffered by Mrs. Vera is quite serious. In addition to the cognitive impairment caused by damage to certain brain nerves, Vera also has damage to the part of the brain that regulates long-term memory and verbal ability. As a result, it is highly likely that Vera will experience amnesia."Elio felt his heartbeat quicken, pounding loudly in the darkness of his mind. "Amnesia... Does that mean Vera will forget everything? Lose all memories about us? About her family?"Doctor Milena nodded slowly, her expression reflecting deep regret.Elio swallowed again, feeling the tension enveloping him even more. "But... Is there... is there any chance for recovery?"Doctor Milena looked seriously at Elio, searching for the right words to convey the bad news. "Mrs. Vera's brain condition is very severe. The severe impact she experienced caused damage to several important areas, including the hippocampus responsible for long-term memory storage. This means that Mrs. Vera is highly likely to experience permanent amnesia."Elio felt his breath catch in his throat. He tried to absorb all the information with a heavy heart. "Permanent amnesia... So, Vera will never remember us again? Remember her life before?"Doctor Milena nodded with deep regret. "Yes, Mr. Elio. There is a high likelihood that all memories of her life before the accident will be lost forever. This includes memories of you, her family, and all the moments they ever shared together."Elio felt his world shatter into pieces. All the beautiful moments they shared with Vera, all the laughter and tears, would vanish without a trace. "Is there no way to help her? Anything we can do?"Doctor Milena tried to provide a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. "We will do our best to assist in her rehabilitation process. However, I must be honest with you that such a process is not always successful, especially in cases of serious brain damage like this."Elio nodded, trying to swallow the bitterness of reality. Although his heart was broken, he knew he had to stay strong for Vera.***Emma remained seated upright beside Vera's hospital bed, her face filled with a mixture of worry and sorrow.The dim light from the ceiling lamp illuminated her pale face. Vera's body was surrounded by various medical devices, and her weak heartbeat could barely be heard.Suddenly, Emma felt discomfort in her chest escalating. Her breasts felt engorged with milk, causing unbearable pain.Emma realized that this pain was due to her delayed breastfeeding, and she understood that she should be nursing her baby at this moment. But her baby had already passed away and been buried, making her breasts ache even more as they felt full of milk with no baby to nurse.As the pain became unbearable, Emma tremblingly opened her bag and took out a breast pump.Emma observed the device for a moment, trying to gather strength before deciding to take action. With care, she unbuttoned her shirt and positioned the breast pump against her sore breast.With deliberate movements, she began to express her milk, releasing the excess milk from her body.Every squeeze on the device felt like a stab, but Emma persisted. She reminded herself that this action was for the sake of her own health.Drops of white milk began to flow, bringing some relief to her painfully tight chest. Emma continued to regulate her pumping rhythm.Although the pain still tormented her, she tried to focus on the action she was taking.Meanwhile, Vera remained motionless, unaware of what was happening around her.Drop by drop, Emma tried to calm herself while keeping an eye on Vera's face.Despite the heartbreaking situation, Emma could only hope that Vera would soon recover.When Elio returned to the room, where Vera, his wife, still lay helpless in the hospital bed, surrounded by various complex medical devices.Emma was still seen pumping milk from her breasts, her facial expression filled with hidden sorrow behind her stoic demeanor.He noticed Emma, his assistant, sitting beside Vera with a breast pump in hand. "Emma... What are you doing?"Emma, startled by Elio's arrival, looked at her employer with teary eyes, trying to contain the overwhelming pain. "I'm sorry, Mr. Elio... I... I couldn't bear this pain any longer. This milk is tormenting... That's why I'm expressing milk to relieve the pain in my chest."Elio nodded understandingly, "I understand, Emma... You've done your best."