"We're sorry we couldn't save your baby, ma'am," said a female doctor, bowing her head deeply, guilt clearly written on her face.
Tears fell from the corners of her eyes upon hearing the news.
"Your baby was a boy, and he was handsome. If you'd like to see him, we can bring him to you," the doctor continued, an OB-GYN specialist.
The woman was silent, her gaze empty.
"I want to see him… just for a moment," the woman finally said.
"Of course, ma'am."
A nurse came in, holding the baby in her arms. He was already wrapped in a white blanket. No wonder there had been no crying—he was no longer alive.
"Your baby let out a faint cry, but his condition was weak. His heart was weak too. Within minutes, we were unable to save him. We're truly sorry, ma'am," the doctor added.
Her sobs broke out as she saw the tiny, lifeless face of her baby in her arms. Still and silent, eyes closed. He was indeed handsome and looked so much like her, despite being a symbol of trauma and pain.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm so sorry you had to leave so soon, before I could give you the happiness I promised," she whispered, brushing a finger gently across his tiny face. "Please… if it's allowed, take one photo for me," she asked the doctor.
"Of course, ma'am."
"My friend is outside, isn't she?" the woman asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Would you like us to call her?"
"No. Just give the baby to her. She'll take care of the burial."
"Understood. For now, you need to rest and recover, ma'am. Please stay and get some rest here."
The woman only nodded.
"Then we'll take our leave."
After the doctor and nurse left, the woman broke down in tears. Her shoulders shook. The baby she once considered getting rid of, but ultimately chose to keep, was now gone—leaving a deep sense of guilt in her heart.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry," she whispered.
***
"Are you sure you want to go back to Morphile, Na?" a stylish woman asked, gazing at her friend.
"Yes. I want to go back. I've spent enough time here," the other woman replied.
"If that's your decision, Leana, then I won't try to stop you."
Leana Violette, a beautiful woman, looked pale.
"It's only been five days since you gave birth. Even though your child…" Nala Edwin, Leana's close friend, trailed off as she noticed her friend's sorrowful face. "Never mind."
Leana stared blankly ahead. Losing a child was the hardest thing she had ever faced—even if that child came from a traumatic sexual encounter with her boyfriend, who had been cheating on her. Leana had been betrayed, forced to surrender something she'd vowed to keep until marriage. Her boyfriend had taken it from her, leaving her pregnant and alone.
"I'm leaving now. You'll follow soon, right?" Leana looked at her friend.
"Yes, of course. I'll come once I've finished my work here. I've already contacted Senna to pick you up at the airport, so don't worry."
Leana nodded. "Then, see you soon."
The two friends hugged. Leana felt she owed Nala so much. Afterward, they parted ways. Leana returned to her home country, Morphile, while her friend stayed behind in Golphille.
The trip from Golphille to Morphile was long. Leana slept through most of it, her body still in pain from childbirth, but she had already decided to return despite the distance.
When she arrived at Morphile International Airport, her friend Senna was there to greet her with a warm hug. It was their first reunion in ten years.
"Want me to take you straight to the hotel?" Senna asked.
"Sure," Leana replied briefly.
"But… I think you need to go to the hospital, Na," Senna said, alarmed by Leana's pale, sweaty face and heavy breathing.
Leana didn't respond, prompting Senna to take her to the hospital herself. Fortunately, Senna was a doctor at one of the major hospitals in Johpi, Morphile.
Eventually, Leana's eyes opened after a long rest. The first thing she saw was the sterile white room, and the familiar scent of disinfectant filled her nose.
"You're finally awake, Na," Senna said gently.
"I'm in a hospital?" Leana asked.
"Yes. Nala told me everything about you. Why didn't you say anything?" Senna's voice carried both concern and frustration.
"It's not a big deal," Leana muttered, turning her face away.
"What? Not a big deal?" Senna raised her voice, but seeing the pale woman and the tears at the corner of her eyes, she held back. "Fine. Just rest. I'll be monitoring you. Let me know if you need anything, or call a nurse. I'm heading out."
Giving Leana space was probably the best thing for now. The woman had gone through so much over the past ten years.
After Senna left, Leana cried again. Thoughts of the baby she lost just five days ago came rushing back, crushing her with pain and helplessness. There was nothing she could do.
While recovering, Leana grew restless and decided to leave her room. Her chest throbbed with pain from the milk that had yet to be released. The burning and stinging in her breasts made her wince.
Wandering without direction, Leana found herself in front of a room filled with babies in bassinets. A large glass panel revealed rows of newborns. They were so cute. Some were crying, others sleeping, and some were just wiggling. A smile unknowingly formed on Leana's lips. But when she heard one baby crying loudly, her chest ached and she winced.
"What's going on, Nurse?" Senna appeared out of nowhere. Her voice caught Leana's attention.
"Mr. Rayder's baby is still crying, Doctor. He won't feed, won't drink anything. I'm really worried. I was just about to call Mr. Rayder," the nurse explained, carrying a tiny, wailing baby.
"Give him to me. Go and find Mr. Rayder," Senna instructed, taking the baby in her arms.
Leana approached, watching the still-crying baby in Senna's arms.
"What's wrong with him?" she asked, clutching her aching chest. Her milk needed to be released, and her body was beginning to shiver from the swelling pain.
"This baby boy lost his mother a day after he was born. He refuses to feed from anyone, or even drink the formula we've provided. His father has tried everything, but he still won't eat," Senna explained, struggling to soothe the crying child. Her expression showed deep concern.
Leana stared at the baby—still red and so small.
"If he keeps crying, his condition could become critical," Senna murmured.
Still silent, Leana kept her eyes on the baby.
"Let me try holding him," Leana suddenly said. Senna looked at her. "My breasts are still producing milk I never got to give my baby. Let me try."
Senna hesitated.
"Come on. Do you want him to be in danger?" Leana urged, prompting Senna to reluctantly hand over the baby.
Sitting on a stainless steel chair in the baby room, Leana began nursing him. The baby immediately stopped crying and latched on, suckling eagerly.
A smile bloomed on Leana's face as she saw how hungrily the baby nursed. Senna let out a sigh of relief.
But outside the room, someone stood frozen—watching his baby in the arms of another woman. His fists clenched tightly.