Santiago's eyes welled up again. Charlotte is awake and the first person she wants to talk to is him. She definitely wants to ask after Dominic. How will the news of their son's death hit her weak body at the moment?
“Don't tell her anything about the baby yet,”Aurora advised. Simon Blake was in support of what Aurora said. Santiago nodded, and braced himself up, he was going to see Charlotte in her ward.
Santiago stepped in and saw Charlotte laid pale and weak on the bed. She still had the hospital gown on and her hair rough and her face puffy.
He forced a smile. He doesn't want her to guess from her first glance that their baby couldn't make it. The child for whose sake she underwent such changes psychologically and physically was no more.
What a waste of effort. He held her hands and Charlotte smiled “How's Dominic, is he going to make it?” She asked. She was afraid when the ultrasound revealed how weak her baby's pulse was.
Santiago was quiet. How can he tell her that Dominic was recovering when he was already buried? Or how can he tell her outrightly that he's dead after being advised against it?
He'd found himself in a position best described as being between the rock and a hard place. He held Charlotte's hand and gave it a soft squeeze. Will he ever be able to justify himself and silence his conscience that he lied to the woman he loves?
“How're you feeling my love?” Santiago asked, evading answering her question. He is just so confused and lonely as well.
Charlotte didn't answer his question as well. She gazes at him and squints. Something is wrong, Santiago is pretending to be happy before her. But she knows him too well, to be able to read his mind.
“Santiago, tell me what's on your mind” Charlotte asked, trying to pull her hand off but Santiago held it firm. He subconsciously tightened his grip on her, trying to suppress the feelings he was experiencing at that moment.
He looked away, he didn't want to stare at her face. If he does, he would sell off a clue that Dominic didn't survive. But despite that, Charlotte could still suspect that something is amiss. Such a smart woman.
“Santiago…” Charlotte called again, since he was not answering her. She knows something is wrong.
“The doctor said you'll be fine. I want you to know that I love you very much. Whatever makes you happy is what I'll strive to offer. I can't wait to see you back on your feet again…” Santiago stuttered.
“Is Dominic dead?” Charlotte blurted out a question. Santiago is such a pure transparent person that she wouldn't be able to see through.
For hours, Charlotte couldn't say anything. Tears were just running down her cheeks. Her months of carrying Dominic didn't pay off.
For days, things didn't get normal with her. She was discharged from the hospital but she would spend hours sitting by the baby crib she's got for Dominic.
She held the baby clothes and let a fresh flow of tears trickled down her cheeks. How could she have lost her baby? He was fine until suddenly things went bad.
As for Santiago, he had accepted the reality that he had lost Dominic and hoped for the best. At this critical time,he was there for Charlotte.
Sometimes,he holds her in a hug to caress her to sleep. At other times,he was compelled to give her pills and other times,a glass of milk would do the magic.
For several days in X-city, Adrian was in the Blake family. This period with the family has strengthened the bond he has with Aurora and her family.
The feeling of being loved and fallen in love with the same person over and over. Moments with his daughter Elsie was filled with memories that would last a lifetime.
Few days after Santiago and Charlotte lost their baby, the couple gradually overcame their pain. Charlotte came downstairs to join others for breakfast, something she hadn't done in a few days.
Charlotte appeared pale and sickly. Santiago was acting like a nanny, helping her sit gently, picking dishes for her and Nancy,kept removing some and adding others.
“She needs to eat something nutritious to recover fast” Nancy stuttered. Glad her daughter in-law could walk downstairs herself. It only implied that she was putting the past behind her.
Adrian felt impressed, how Nancy took care of Charlotte. He had lost count of how many times she would sit with her in the room, and read stories to her.
How he wished his mother was still alive, he would have persuaded her into changing her rigidity and welcome Aurora as her daughter and not daughter in-law.
Magda took Charlotte's hand and gave her a reassuring grip. Everything will be alright. She and Jimmy are now expecting a baby, but they decided to keep it a secret in order not to make Charlotte sad any more.
They had agreed on a quiet court wedding. They don't want elaborate big celebrations like Santiago and Charlotte had, with their baby coming, they just want something official to bind them together as man and wife.
Adrian's phone rang, it was Clem. He squinted, Clem calling him meant he had information to pass across . He stood up, excused himself and soon returned to join others with an expressionless gaze.
Aurora saw him, she knew something was off. She glared at him, signalling to him with a questioning gaze. Adrian hived a smile and broke the news.
“There has been a prison break and Ray Grimard has escaped leaving two prison warders dead” he informed.
“Ray Grimard!” Aurora was alarmed.