Chapter 1 Death Looms
Years ago, fate dealt Sophia Turner a cruel hand when she faced the harsh reality of an ectopic pregnancy, forcing her into the heart-wrenching decision to terminate her pregnancy. However, the repercussions of this choice went far beyond mere emotions. With no viable alternatives, she braved the painful procedure, a sacrifice that resulted in the loss of her left fallopian tube.
Over the last two years, Sophia had been tirelessly preparing for another pregnancy. Her husband, Jason Wilson, was the sole heir of the esteemed Wilson family. She had harbored a lifelong love for him, and fulfilling her long-cherished wish of having a child with him to carry on the family legacy was paramount in her heart.
In the serene ambiance of Brison Hospital’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the attending physician carefully laid down the examination report, her expression slightly solemn. Across from her sat a young woman, her face etched with anticipation and nervousness.
“Miss Taylor,” the attending physician said, her tone gentle. “You’re pregnant.”
In that suspended moment, Sophia felt time come to a halt. Her eyes, brimming with joy and anticipation, exuded a luminous radiance that mirrored the intensity of her longing for this very day. However, her happiness was swiftly tempered as the attending physician solemnly passed her another medical report. “Take a look,” she said, her voice tinged with gravity.
After a momentary pause, Sophia hesitantly took the report. With trembling hands, she slowly scanned its contents, her heart sinking as she came across the diagnosis indicating a high risk of severe heart failure. The joy of pregnancy ebbed away like receding tides, leaving her paralyzed with shock. Slowly, she raised her head, her voice trembling as she voiced her fear. “M-my heart, is it… failing?”
As Sophia struggled to come to terms with the ominous diagnosis, she couldn’t help pondering, ‘Have the repercussions of the heart injury from five years ago finally worsened?’
The doctor sighed softly, her eyes filled with pity and sympathy as she looked at Sophia. “Yes, you have a high risk of heart failure. My advice would be to terminate the pregnancy and undergo treatment to stabilize the condition.”
When the doctor advised her to terminate the pregnancy, Sophia felt as though her entire world had shattered. The words, delivered with clinical precision, pierced through her like a dagger, leaving her emotionally raw and wounded to the core.
In that moment, Sophia’s maternal instinct surged. She abruptly rose from her seat, clutching her abdomen protectively as if shielding her unborn child from any harm. The shock of the suggestion staggered her momentarily, but it ignited a determination within her.
“No,” Sophia declared, her voice trembling but resolute. “I want to keep this child.”
Amelia Moore, the chief physician overseeing Sophia’s case, watched her reaction with a heavy heart. Her expression turned grim at Sophia’s words. “If we can find a suitable heart donor.” Amelia continued, her tone grave but gentle, “There’s still a chance for survival. You don’t have to…” Her words trailed off abruptly as a series of beeps resonated through the room, originating from within Sophia’s handbag.
Sophia’s fingers fumbled as she retrieved her phone from her handbag, her heart pounding. With a shaky breath and quivering voice, she finally managed to speak. “You go ahead, I’ll step out to take a call.”
With that, Sophia hastily made her way toward the door, her steps unsteady, as if the weight of her words was pulling her down. The memory of Jason’s crestfallen expression when they lost their first child lingered in her mind, haunting her. She could still feel the raw ache of that loss, the emptiness that consumed them both. And now, faced with the possibility of another heartbreak, she couldn’t bear to subject Jason to that pain once more.
The phone vibrated violently in Sophia’s grip. With trembling fingers, she brought it up to her eyes, the screen illuminating with a message notification. As she tapped it, a photo appeared, stunning her speechless and draining her complexion of color in an instant.
The image showed a woman cradled in a man’s embrace, their kiss exuding passion. Despite the serene backdrop, the messy room hinted at what had happened before. Though their faces were partially obscured, she recognized her husband immediately—Jason Wilson.
‘No! That can’t be true!’ Sophia’s mind was racing, her thoughts in turmoil. ‘Jason had been an adoring husband. He would never betray me like this!’
However, as she finally recognized the woman, Sophia felt her carefully constructed facade crumble like ice, leaving behind only shattered illusions.
‘Ada Taylor!’ screamed Sophia in her mind. The woman in the photo was her cousin, Ada, who had also been Jason’s first love.
Sophia had unwavering trust in Jason. She knew he wouldn’t betray her with any other woman. However, her certainty faltered when confronted with Ada as the other woman.
Sophia’s phone beeped once again, and another message notification popped up on the screen. She tapped to open it. [Preston Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Room 802. Your husband is currently with his first love. She’s pregnant.]
Sophia’s head swam with dizziness, a whirlwind of emotions and memories engulfing her. Vivid scenes of Jason and Ada locked in tender embraces, their laughter and whispered confessions echoed in her mind like distant melodies. She had poured her heart into their relationship, believing her love had thawed Jason’s icy reserve over the years. She couldn’t forget the deep sorrow he had shown when they lost their first child to an ectopic pregnancy two years ago.
Yet, as reality crashed upon her, it was a bitter awakening. The warmth of their love now seemed like a fleeting illusion, shattered by the cold truth that stared back at her.
*****
At Preston Hospital, Jason stood tall in an exquisite business suit within the ward.
With sharp eyebrows and lips forming a solitary arc of arrogance, he emitted an air of indifference and aloofness, accentuated by his handsome, cold eyes. He strode over to the bed, fetched a pillow, and delicately placed it behind Ada. “How are you feeling? Are you any better?”