I dragged myself out of bed and walked toward the bungalow door. My legs felt weak, my steps unsteady, but a strange pull urged me forward. As I approached, the soft glow of the moonlight illuminated two figures framed by the window.
My breath caught. There, outside, Bella leaned into Dominik's chest, her face tilted up toward his.
"Well? Did you manage to coax her?" she asked, her voice as smooth as honey.
Dominik's arm tightened protectively around her. "Bella, you're the only one who truly understands me. I can't believe you came here, especially while you're pregnant. It couldn't have been easy."
Bella shyly pressed herself closer, her hand resting lightly on his chest. "You know I'm not a jealous person. Your happiness is all that matters to me."
I stood frozen, the scene unfolding like a slow, agonizing nightmare. When they kissed, I thought I might crumble. Dominik's hand cupped her face tenderly, his other hand brushing the curve of her belly.
"I'm afraid of hurting you and the baby," he murmured, his voice laced with a tenderness he hadn't shown me in years. "Let's wait a little longer."
Bella smiled coyly. "It's okay. I asked the doctor. We can do it."
The knot in my stomach twisted so tightly I thought I might be sick. I couldn't bear to watch anymore. I stumbled back, clutching the doorframe for support as nausea wracked my body. Dry-heaving, I leaned over the sink, but nothing came up.
My mind raced. If he loved her so much, why did he bother keeping up this charade with me?
***
By the first day of the trip, exhaustion and mounting emotions took their toll. My body felt like a dead weight, dragging me down as I lay in bed. Each breath came harder than the last, each second felt like an eternity.
Unable to bear it any longer, I weakly reached for my phone and dialed Dominik's number. My fingers trembled and each unanswered ring echoed in the silent room.
After countless attempts, I had no choice but to get up. My body felt as though thousands of ants were crawling under my skin, gnawing at my bones and flesh. Every step was agony.
Just as I opened the door, Bella appeared on the other side. She held Dominik's phone in her hand, her lips curved into a triumphant smile.
"Looking for your husband?" she asked mockingly. "Don't worry. I sent him out to buy me something to eat."
Her words stung, but I had no energy left to argue. I tried to step past her, but she blocked my path.
"Nadia," she said, her voice syrupy and cold as she leaned closer. Suddenly, her hand shot out and grabbed mine. "This time, let's see if your marriage can survive this."
Before I could react, Bella let out a shriek and tumbled down the stairs. I stood there, stunned, my hand still outstretched in a position that made it look as though I had pushed her.
"Bella!"
Dominik's voice roared through the air as he rushed past me, his face contorted with panic.
I stared down at Bella, who lay groaning at the bottom of the stairs, clutching her stomach. My lips parted to explain, but the words caught in my throat.
"It wasn't me. It was her—"
A sharp crack rang out, silencing me. My head whipped to the side as Dominik's slap left my cheek burning.
"Nadia, I never thought you could be this heartless!" Bella wailed dramatically from below, her sobs blending with Dominik's ragged breathing.
I staggered, already weak and collapsed to the ground. A sharp pain shot through my chest and I coughed violently, blood spilling onto my palm.
Dominik's expression twisted with disgust. "Quit the act. I only hit you once. How could you possibly cough up blood?"
He knelt to lift Bella into his arms, his movements gentle, careful. As he turned toward the door, I instinctively grabbed his leg, desperation clawing at me.
"Dominik," I choked out, tears streaming down my face. "I didn't push her. I need to go to the hospital too."
He kicked my hand away, his voice cold and cutting. "Nadia, you've disappointed me."
I crumpled to the floor, my body trembling with the weight of his words. And then I laughed. I laughed until my vision blurred with tears, laughed until another wave of blood surged up from my throat. Darkness enveloped me.
***
When I woke, the sterile white of the hospital room greeted me. The doctor stood by my bedside, his expression grim.
"Mrs. Bennet," he said, his tone heavy with pity, "your condition has worsened. At most, you have three to four months left."
The words barely registered. I nodded absently, my gaze drifting to the window.
He lingered, as if searching for something to say, but I turned away. It was time to say my goodbyes.
***
As I packed my belongings to leave the hospital, Dominik appeared in the doorway. He looked haggard, his eyes red and swollen as though he had been crying.
