199: NEED NO NONSENSE LUKE’S POV We all stood there, waiting for the doctor’s response. I was trying to figure out what this terrible news was, and I hoped it wasn’t what I was thinking, The doctor hesitated before continuing, his eyes filled with sadness. “I’m sorry to say this, but your daughter has lost her baby. It appears that the fall caused her to miscarry.” Veronica gasped, and Manuel covered his mouth in shock. I felt my heart drop to my stomach. “I’m sorry; we did everything we could,” the doctor said softly. Veronica burst into tears, and Manuel hugged her tightly. I stood there, feeling a mix of emotions. Guilt, regret, and sadness consumed me. I should have been more attentive to Tiffany’s needs; I should have been there for her. “Can we see her?” Veronica asked after composing herself. “Yes, but she’s still very weak. She needs rest, and we’ll be monitoring her closely,” the doctor replied. We followed the doctor to Tiffany’s room and saw her lying in the hospital bed, looking pale and weak. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. I approached her cautiously, not knowing what to say. “Tiffany,” I spoke her name softly, but she didn’t glance at me. “I’m…. sorry.” She looked at me with tears in her eyes and whispered, “It’s okay, Luke. It wasn’t your fault.” “Tiffany is my daughter,” Veronica cried. “Seeing you like this is really painful, and having knowledge of the death of that child is just so… I don’t even know what to say.” “You don’t have to cry too much, mom. Everything will be alright.” “I know everything will be alright, Tiffany. But this moment is too painful. Let me drown in tears, please.” “Luke, come with me,” Manuel whispered into my ears before leaving the room. I took one last look at Tiffany, my expression filled with sadness. But then I left as well. Manuel had his hands in his pocket, and as I approached him, I could see the look on his face directed at me. It wasn’t a good one. “Yes, what is it that you want to talk about?” I asked him. “You’re happy now, aren’t you?” “Happy? Why would I be happy? I just lost my child.” “But that’s what you want.” 199: NEED NO NONSENSE 213 I gave him a crazy look, not even knowing the words to use at the moment. “Okay, you are clearly mistaken.” “No, I’m not.” “Yes, you are.” “No, I’m not,” he repeated. “You didn’t want to get married to Tiffany in the first place. You didn’t even like the fact that she was pregnant for you, am 1 not correct?” “Okay, at first I was not quite happy learning that the both of us were expecting a baby. But…” “That says it all, Luke. That says it all. You never wanted to be by her side. Now you’ve seen the perfect opportunity.” “That’s enough!” I snapped. “I’m trying to be respectful around you. But I’m going to take any nonsense; do you hear me?” “You’re going to start faking a mad face because I’m telling the truth? Don’t think that anger can scare me.” “I’m not trying to scare you here. I’m just making things plain and simple, clear and straight. Don’t you ever talk this nonsense again? Tiffany and I had sorted things out, and I was ready to take full responsibility for the child. Do you think I’m that heartless or cold–blooded that I would love it when someone died all because of my selfish needs? You don’t even know what’s happening in my life. Right now, I should be the saddest person on earth. I lost my son, and I can’t find my wife or my daughter. My building burned down, and now the baby I’m expecting is dead. What do you think of that, huh? Now, if you don’t have anything better to say, excuse me.” I walked away from him, leaving the hospital. I got into my car and sat down, letting out a deep sigh. I was so confused I didn’t even know what to do. The darkness was just falling upon me, striking and hitting me hard. This has got to be the worst day of my life so far. I pushed open the heavy wooden door of the bar and then stepped into a cacophony of sound and color. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, and the dim lighting cast shadows that danced to the beat of the music. The room was filled with a mix of people–some laughing, some dancing, and others simply lost in their own thoughts. As I made my way through the crowded space, the music grew louder, pulsating through my body. A band was on stage, their instruments blaring as they played with infectious energy. The lead singer’s voice soared above the noise, filling the room with raw power. I found an empty stool at the bar and flagged down the bartender, ordering a beer to steady my nerves. As I took a sip, I surveyed the crowd. There were people of all shapes and sizes dressed in an eclectic mix of outfits. A man in a sharp suit sat next to a woman in a flowing dress, their laughter mingling with the music. Suddenly, the music shifted, and a spotlight illuminated a figure on a small stage in the corner. It was V3 a woman, her long hair cascading down her back as she began to sing. Her voice was hauntingly beautiful, drawing everyone’s attention as she poured her heart out into the music. And when the song reached its climax, the room fell silent, the only sound being the echo of her voice lingering in the air. The spell was broken as the crowd erupted into applause, with the woman bowing graciously before disappearing into the shadows. A new act took the stage: a group of dancers, their bodies moving in perfect synchrony to the pounding beat of the music. I watched in awe as they twisted and turned, their movements a blur of motion and emotion. The night wore on, with more performers taking the stage, each one more mesmerizing than the last. There were jugglers and fireeaters, magicians and poets, all showcasing their talents with a passion that was infectious. The energy in the room was electric, crackling with creativity and emotion. Then, this lady approached me. “Lake Reynold, right?” She grinned, and all I could do was just stare at her. I hadn’t seen her before; she had a new face, and she wasn’t that pretty but manageable. “Yes, and who are you exactly?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “It will be useless to introduce myself. You don’t know me,” “But you can at least tell me your name,” She smiled promptly. “May,” “Maybe that’s your name.” “Exactly,” she replied with a nod. “But I haven’t come here to flirt or try to get laid with you tonight. That would be totally absurd.” “It sure would,” I agreed. “So tell me, then, why have you come to me?” “Well, probably because I kind of know the person responsible for your son’s death.” “Really? Who’s that?” “Take it easy, sir. I’m not just going to spill the beans.” I sighed. “Oh, I forgot. You want money, right?” “Hmm, something like that.” I gave her a serious face. She giggled instantly and said, “Yes, of course, I do need some dollars.” I kept staring at her, and all of a sudden, I heard a gunshot.
