transfusions already. It’s putting her in further danger, and I want you to be prepared in case it happens. That’s all I have for you right now. I’d encourage you to get checked out just to be sure you didn’t suffer any injury either while you wait.” The woman who never even gave me her name disappears back behind the door. The beep as it electronically latches sounds dully in my ears while my brain tries to make sense of everything.
Before I can fully digest the broken condition of my wife, another nurse comes out. "Mr. Schultz?" She waits until I pick my gaze up from the floor to look and nod at her. "I'm Francine, and I'm going to be the one taking care of your little one now." She smiles kindly while the entire room freezes, and I feel the blood drain from my face. I can't do this. "Would you like to help? A lot of parents in this situation find it comforting to have some mementos. I know your wife isn't in a position to attend at the moment."
Of course, she had to say that. And I bet Cora would want them as well. Sucking it up, I follow the nurse through the doors.
By the time I'm done, I've signed more documents than I can remember what for and have had my heart pulled through my ribs. The somber faces that greet my return aren't any comfort, and I sink back down into my chair, ignoring the five in the room with me, to rest my head back against the wall.
I must doze off for a bit because someone is tapping me on the shoulder what seems only a moment later. It’s the same woman as before that updated me about Cora. And she doesn't waste any time wrecking what's left of my world.
This time her stoic manner is tinged with a grim finality. “Mr. Shultz, your wife’s condition has deteriorated. Her kidney swelling increased, and it ruptured. The blood loss was overwhelming, and between it and the uncontrollable bleeding in her uterus, both have been removed. She’ll be moved into recovery as soon as she’s stable enough to do so. She coded twice, and her blood pressure is still dangerously low. We're doing everything we can, but— I’m sorry, but her prognosis is very poor at this time. I’ll be back as soon as you’re able to see her.”
I’m too shattered to notice when she leaves. I drop my head into my hands, my loss streaming down my face in tears of pain and sorrow. In a single moment my family was ripped away from me on what should have been one of the happiest days of our lives. Ripped away by the assholes sitting in this room, watching my heartbreak unfold. Rage overtakes me, and it’s everything I can do not to tear into them; only not being able to see Cora stays my hand.
“Get. Out,” I grit through clenched teeth.
“Kael, we can help—” Drake starts.
I cut him off. “No, you’ve done enough. I’m sure you heard what’s happened, and you could have prevented it. Now, leave.” I go to the bank of windows to stare out at the dark Seattle skyline. I’m debating calling Cora’s family or not even though I'm already feeling guilty enough for them knowing she was getting married today. I’d tried to get them to come; instead, they’d refused, and her step-brother had told Damien.
Her fighting for her life and our baby being gone is all my fault.
Drake tries again. “I can help her.” He says it fast, so much so that I don’t register what he means at first.
The incredulity shines bright in my tone when I blurt out, “How, how do you think you can help her? Can you fix her body? Bring back her baby? No. You can’t.” Idiot, money isn’t going to help this situation. One of the others is trying to pull him back, furiously arguing that he can’t do it. I’m not sure what they’re talking about, but they’re obviously not happy.
“I can, and I will. It falls on me anyway. You all know it.” The guy that was protesting pales and stops arguing. They all do.
“What the hell is going on?" I demand, beyond done with their presence. "Are you going to leave, or do I need to ask for security?”
Drake motions me over, away from anyone else. I debate asking for removal but decide at this point if it’ll make him