Jake's POV
As soon as Lea opened the door, I knew things were about to get worse. She looked exhausted, her eyes red from crying. But it was her expression that cut me deep.She looked at me with that stare that only she had. She could always read through me. Always. It was like she was running a scam through my soul, reading me, studying me and then her expression changed to one of hurt and betrayal. My own guilt gnawed at me, but I couldn’t back down .
My pride was hurt. I was bleeding. I reminded myself, she was the one at fault, not me. She left me, cheated on me, lied to me and I was here to settle scores, not fall for her head over heels all over again.
She asked me if I had just slept with someone. The hell I did and it made me feel filthy to the core. My I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of knowing that. I wanted to see her hurt. I wanted to feel the pain that I was feeling. I was a selfish beast , my ego roaring over everything. I didn't notice how frail she had become. I didn't notice that she was loosing her strength. The rage inside me was consuming me and all I wanted was to get it out.
"Jake, please,” she pleaded, her voice breaking. “I can’t handle this.”
“You can’t handle this?” I scoffed. “What about me, Lea? What about everything you’ve put me through?”
She took a step back, her vision must have been blurring with tears.I saw her stumble, reaching out to hold my hand but I didn't flinch. I refused to acknowledge that I had any soft spot for her at that moment.I wanted to see her break. I wanted to be the one to break her. I wanted to cause her misery. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” I saw her as she struggled with her words.
"But it did,” I said coldly. “And now you have to live with it.”
Her face went pale, and suddenly she swayed on her feet.Violently this time.She almost lost her balance as she fell face first, but I leaped towards her just in time, catching her before she fell. God, my heart felt like it was about to explode.
“Lea?” I asked, my anger quickly replaced by worry. “Lea, what’s wrong?”
Her eyes rolled back, and she crumpled to the floor. “Lea!” I shouted, my voice cracking with panic. I held her tightly in my arms but her body went limp in my arms. “Oh God, Lea, wake up! Please, wake up!”
I picked her up and took her to the bed, my hands shaking. “Lea, please. Please be okay.” I fumbled for my phone, dialing 911 with trembling fingers. “I need an ambulance, now! My girlfriend is pregnant, and she just fainted.”
“Stay calm, sir,” the operator said, but her words barely registered. “Help is on the way."
I dropped the phone and knelt beside the bed, holding Lea’s hand. “Lea, you have to wake up,” I whispered, tears blurring my vision. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. Just wake up, please.I don't care about anything else.”
Honestly I didn't. All I wanted was for her to wake up and smile at me and hug me and tell me everything was alright. I couldn't bare to see her like that. She was broken, just like I had wanted but it broke me even more.
Time seemed to crawl. I couldn’t take my eyes off her pale face, willing her to move, to breathe, to show any sign of life. “Come on, Lea. Don’t do this to me. Don’t ...please don't!”
Just then, the door burst open, and Phill rushed in, his doctor’s coat flapping behind him. His eyes travelled between Lea and me and he looked absolutely paranoid. “What happened?” he demanded, his eyes scanning the room before focusing on me.
“She fainted,” I replied, my voice shaking. “We were talking....arguing, and she just…collapsed.”
Phill’s eyes narrowed. “You need to leave, Jake. You’re not helping.”
"I’m not going anywhere,” I shot back, my anger flaring again. “I’m staying with her.”
Phill moved to Lea’s side, checking her pulse and looking over her. “You’re the reason she’s in this state. You’ve caused enough stress.She is going through a very difficult pregnancy.You have no idea what she has been through.Practically,her life is at risk. ”
I stepped closer, my fists clenched. “Don’t you dare blame this on me. You are the one who...”
"Enough!” Phill snapped, standing up and facing me. “This isn’t about you or me. It’s about Lea and the baby. If you care about her at all, you’ll leave.”
I felt my anger boiling over, ready to explode. “And leave her with you? I don’t think so.”
We were face to face, chests pinning each other, hands clenched, muscle tightening and it was about to get physical.
Before things could get any worse, the paramedics arrived, rushing into the room. One of them, stepped between Phill and me. “Gentlemen, we need space to work. Please, step back.”
They checked Lea’s vitals and started to administer care. The doctor looked up at us, his expression grave. “Her condition is critical. She needs to be treated without any stress. That means no fighting, no arguments around her. If you want her to recover, you need to leave her alone.” He turned to Phill and said, "We will be taking her to the critical care unit temporarily and keep her under observation. " Phill nodded.
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. The reality of the situation hit me hard. Lea’s health was at risk, and I was making it worse. I looked at her pale face, feeling a wave of guilt and regret.
"Jake,” Phill said quietly, his tone softer now. “If you care about her at all, even a fraction, you’ll let us do our job.”
I nodded, my throat tight. “Okay. Okay, I’ll go.”
I took one last look at Lea, lying so still and fragile on the bed. “I’m sorry, Lea,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I’m so sorry.”I had to leave her in Phill’s care, trust that he would do what was best for her.
As I walked out of the room,My heart ached with every step, but I knew it was the right thing to do.I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath, trying to make sense of everything that had happened.I closed my eyes, the tears finally spilling over. “Please, Lea. Be okay. I need you to be okay.”
The world felt like it was falling apart.