Shaelyn slammed the doors to the balcony shut, with a force that echoed through the empty room,
The sound reverberated in her chest like the heavy weight of her emotions.
As she headed back into her room, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass and she turned to face it, staring into the glass as if it could somehow provide answers.
But all Shaelyn saw was a broken woman, a shell of who she once was.
"Why did it have to come to this?" she muttered under her breath, frustration lacing her voice. "I never thought I'd be here, feeling so… worthless."
As she gazed deeper into her own eyes, memories flooded back—moments of laughter and love shared with Nixon. But now, those memories felt tainted by the reality of their situation.
"How could he just throw everything away?" she whispered, bitterness creeping into her tone.
"But then again... what had I expected?" Shaelyn wondered.
Leyla Downey, Nixon's childhood friend and a woman who had gone as far as donating a kidney to Nixon's mother...a debt for which Nixon was eternally grateful and had his special ways of repaying, even to the detriment of his own wife.
"What am I to him? What was I ever to him?" Shaelyn questioned aloud, desperation creeping into her words. "Just a fleeting moment? A passing phase?"
She glanced again at the sickly figure staring back at her—a woman worn down by betrayal and sorrow. "Look at you," she said softly to herself, almost as if trying to comfort the reflection that mirrored her pain. "You're falling apart."
Shaelyn leaned closer to the glass and whispered with determination, "Be strong." It was a mantra meant for both herself and the woman in the reflection—a reminder that despite everything, she had to keep going.
With a deep breath, Shaelyn wiped away the tears staining her cheeks and straightened up. She forced an indifferent look onto her face; it was time to step away from this moment of weakness.
"Enough of this," she declared firmly.
Shaelyn quickly went around her room, changing her clothing. She picked up her purse and car keys and headed out of the room.
About half an hour later, Shaelyn pulled up into the parking lot of the hospital.
Upon arriving at his office, she was greeted by Dr. Martin, who stood behind his desk with a stack of forms in front of him. He looked up and offered a reassuring smile. "Shaelyn, I'm glad you could make it today. We need to go over some paperwork before we proceed."
Shaelyn nodded halfhearted. "Sure, what do I need to do?"
Dr. Martin picked up the forms and began explaining them one by one. "These are consent forms regarding your pregnancy and the potential risks involved given your current health condition."
As he spoke, Shaelyn's eyes scanned the documents filled with medical jargon that seemed to scream caution at her. She felt a lump in her throat but pushed it down.
"I understand there are risks," she said firmly, looking Dr. Martin in the eye. "But I've seen others like me who have had healthy babies."
Dr. Martin sighed softly, "Everyone has their own choices," he replied gently. "Even if you feel healthy now, you have to know that in the later stages…"
"Later stages..." Shaelyn interrupted, shaking her head slightly as if to dismiss any negative thoughts creeping in. "I can't focus on what might happen later...I won't." she made clear.
Dr. Martin paused for a moment before continuing cautiously, "I just want you to be fully aware of all possibilities."
Shaelyn took a deep breath and picked up the pen from the table beside her. "I appreciate your concern, Dr. Martin," she said as she began signing each form without hesitation. "But I believe this is worth it."
"Are you certain?" he asked again, his voice laced with genuine care.
"It doesn't matter," Shaelyn replied confidently after finishing the last signature and placing the pen back down beside the forms. "I've made my decision."
Dr. Martin watched Shaelyn for a moment longer before nodding slowly in acceptance.
"You're right! Many people have faced similar situations and gone on to have beautiful children." He smiled warmly as he gathered the signed forms together.
"I just want my child to live," Shaelyn said softly but with conviction.
"And they will," Dr. Martin assured her as he filed away the documents neatly.
"It's you the mother who will suffer...But I am looking forward to you performing a miracle, Miss Shaelyn. You ready for your first treatment today." Dr. Martin asked as he got up to his feet.
Shaelyn nodded slowly, also rising to her feet. Though she looked way more confident than she truly felt and as good as Shaelyn believed she was at hiding it, Dr. Martin easily figured her out.
"You have to be in a good mood, so that the child will not be affected." Dr. Martin said knowingly.
Shaelyn's phone rang at this moment, the screen lighting up to show Nixon's name as the incoming caller.
Shaelyn passed a look to Dr. Martin who also stated curiously at that.
"That is the fifth time already. You might want to take the call before we go in for tests, it could be urgent." Dr. Martin suggested.
"It is urgent..." Shaelyn murmured in agreement, long pressing on the power button till the power off option showed up on the screen.
"But it is not related to me...not anymore." Shaelyn concluded.
"Very well, come then, we should get started." Dr. Martin said, leading the way out of his office.
Shaelyn sucked in a deep breath and nodded her head.