Page 121 of War Within
“When are you guys going to get married?” I changed the topic.
“We've been together for a while now.” She giggled shyly. “You know how we are though. It took us forever to even admit feelings.”
I nodded, hoping she would continue. “That's the truth.”
“So, what's been going on with you?” Nudging me in the side gently, she snickered. “You haven't seemed like yourself for a really long time.”
I stopped, moving to the side of the path to let joggers by. “I've been trying my best to find the courage to tell you something, but now you're so involved with Carmine. I'm not sure I should.”
“What are you talking about?” She jerked her head back, scrunching her nose. “My relationship with Carmine has nothing to do with us.”
“Yeah, but this will.” I averted my gaze.
“Try me!” She gripped her hips, giggling, unaware.
For some reason it all came to a head and I could no longer hold it inside. I was about to turn both our worlds upside down as I poured almost everything out to Lily. She gasped, covering her mouth as I came clean, spilling details about my boss who was now my secret boyfriend. How I kept stealing money from the company to help Chase and I have a better life. How Giovanni shut down Chase's first practice because he was running a trafficking business behind the contact lens room, which was funny when I thought about it. Chase was out for revenge and would stop at nothing. So much revenge that he wanted me to actually get married to Giovanni if possible and hold this baby ransom.
Since Lily felt an urge to protect the baby, I did leave that part out. I wanted her to understand me, not fight me. I hoped that she wouldn't hate me, but it would not matter soon. While I loved her friendship, I had no regret for what was happening. After all, Chase and I were set to get marriedfor real, after all this is over.
“I just don't know where to start, Jane.” Lily sighed as tears plunged from her eyes. “I’m so mad a—”
“Oh God.” I doubled over, blindsided by a pinching sensation and wetness between my legs. I had been having back cramps all day, but when they moved to my abdomen at brunch, I thought it was just gas. I never thought to time them.No no no, not now!
“What's wrong?” Lily rested a hand on my arm, after everything I just told her.
“I think my water just broke!” I cried. “Oh no, am I going to die?! Something doesn’t feel right!”
Lily grabbed her phone from her bag. “Pick up, Giovanni. Pick up. Pick up.” She muttered as she circled my back with her palm.
“Oh, God.” I felt the need to push. “There's no time. Take me to the hospital NOW!” Something was wrong. I felt weak. My vision began tunneling. Either I was having a panic attack, or this was about to be really bad.
How did I get to the hospital? I glanced around, blinking in slow motion as I watched the lights on the ceiling passing.
“You passed out in the ambulance, ma’am.” An older female soothed me. “We’re going to get you into a room, one second.” She locked the wheels on the gurney, standing by as someone went into the room by the foot of the bed.
Rolling my head to the side, I struggled to focus.Emilio?Was I imagining him? He grinned menacingly, holding up a folder. Why the fuck was he wearing surgical scrubs? Lifting his other hand, he pointed at me, then pointed at himself.
“Hel…help.” I mumbled as the wheels unlocked.
“Jane? Is that your name?” The masked person in scrubs, pushed my bed through the door into a private room.
“He’s g-g…oing to ki—”
“Please be still ma’am.” Another nurse stroked my head. “We’re going to make sure you’re comfortable.”
Helplessly, I laid in the bed, unable to understand what was going on as nurses rushed around me. A doctor entered the room, introducing himself, yet I was rendered mute. Temporarily, I blacked out.
“…need to get her into surgery.”
On television, women giving birth were either happy or screaming in pain. I was in pain, but I could not scream. I could do nothing. It was almost as if I were paralyzed. I was becoming weaker, and I could not get a full sentence to evade my lips. Once again, the world went dark.
Fluttering my eyelids open to a blurry room, I was greeted by silence. But only for a moment. I was no longer alone. I struggled so hard to focus on the figure in a chair on the other side of the room.
“Gio…va—”
A low chuckle reverberated from the figure.
“Sa..tan?” I thought I had died and gone to hell.
