For the past few weeks, your body has felt different. Legs that once held you up are now swollen to the point where walking is difficult. Your breath often feels labored, as if a weight is pressing down on your chest. But you hold it in, not wanting to seem like an even bigger burden to your boyfriend—a man still immersed in his bicycle racing life, as if you and the baby in your womb aren't a priority.
That day, your shortness of breath worsened. You sat on the edge of your small apartment bed, holding your phone with trembling hands. With the last of your strength, you called him.
“Can you come here now? I… I don't feel well. My legs are swollen… I can't breathe.”Your voice trembled.
On the other end of the line, you could hear the sounds of people and the laughter of his friends. Your boyfriend's voice sounded sharp.
“What? I'm in the middle of practice. Is it so important that you're calling like this?”
Tears welled up.“I'm scared… please… I can't take it.”
There was a moment of silence, then he snorted.
“Okay. Wait. I'll be right back.”
--
At the Hospital
He arrives half an hour later, helmet still in hand, his face looking annoyed.
“Hurry up, let's go. Don't embarrass me.”He half-pulls you into the emergency room.
The doctor immediately examines you, then his face turns serious. “Her blood pressure is extremely high. It's pre-eclampsia. Need a C-section immediately, otherwise both mother and baby's lives are in danger.”
You stare at the doctor, trembling. The word “surgery” echoes in your head. Then you turn to Jay, hoping for support.
But his expression turns stiff, and he steps forward.
“Surgery? No way. We don't have the money. Medication is enough, right?”
The doctor shakes his head. “Not enough. This is an emergency. If we don't act immediately, we could lose our lives.”
Your boyfriend glares at you.
“You hospitals only care about money! Don't lie! She doesn't need surgery. Let's just go home.”
You're shocked. “But… I'm scared. I'm so sick…” your voice trembles.
But he doesn't care. Roughly, he grabs your hand. The nurse tries to hold him back.
“Sir, don't take the patient out, his condition could get worse—”
“I said no! I don't have the money for all this!”he snaps.
Your tears flow, but you're too weak to fight back. He drags you out of the hospital, leaving the doctor to only stare with concern.
Back at the Apartment
Upon arriving at the apartment, your body immediately collapses onto the bed. Your breathing becomes heavier, your chest feels like it's being squeezed. You try to call out to him in a low voice.
“I… it hurts so much… my head feels like it's going to explode…”
He paces back and forth, restless, but mostly cursing himself.
“Damn… why did this happen… This is all because you couldn't take care of yourself.”
You looked at him with teary eyes. “I didn’t ask to get pregnant either… I just need you right now.”
Jay snorted, then sat down in the chair with a heavy face. But not long after, his phone rang—his friend reminding him about next week’s bicycle race. And again, he stared at the phone screen longer than at you.
“I… can’t breathe… my stomach hurts so much…”You cried, your voice barely audible.
Jay turned, her face pale this time. You looked so weak, your lips starting to turn blue, cold sweat pouring down your temples. Your stomach hardened with intense pain.