Chapter 328
Chapter 328:
During the earlier meeting, Gabriela had sensed the unmistakable tension between Wesley and Stewart with crystalline clarity. Unbeknownst to her, Wesley simply detested her interactions with Stewart. Though Gabriela couldn’t fathom Wesley’s reasoning, she found herself instinctively trusting him and responded swiftly, “Understood p>
After sending her reply, Gabriela sank into the sofa’s embrace. Wesley harbored no affection for her, so why did he monitor her associations with such vigilance?
Gabriela allowed herself a brief respite before slipping into her coat and venturing outside. She had arranged a prenatal appointment with her physician for two-thirty that afternoon.
By March’s end, the southern climate had shed its winter bite, and countless young people had already embraced their summer wardrobes. However, pregnancy had heightened Gabriela’s sensitivity to cold, making her thick coat a conspicuous sight as she entered the hospital corridors.
While awaiting her turn, she occupied a solitary chair surrounded by devoted young couples. A sharp pang of envy pierced Gabriela’s chest. Yet the memory of Brenden’s careless expression made her dismiss such thoughts with a determined shake of her head. She possessed the strength to nurture this child alone.
The examination proceeded without complications, yielding reassuring results. As Gabriela departed clutching her ultrasound images, an unexpected collision interrupted her path.
The obstacle proved to be Tessa. Clearly lost in troubled thoughts, she offered immediate apologies.
“Tessa?” Gabriela grasped her arm, gasping at the sight of her ashen complexion and the vivid bruise marring one side of her face. “What happened to your face p>
𝖱𝘦𝖺𝖽 𝘧𝗿𝘰𝗺 𝘺o𝗎𝘳 𝘱𝗵o𝗇𝗲 𝘰𝗇
Tessa hadn’t anticipated encountering a familiar face and hastily released her hair to veil her injuries, murmuring weakly, “Nothing serious — I stumbled during my morning errands p>
Could a simple fall produce such devastating damage?
Though Gabriela recognized the deception immediately, she chose not to press — a calculated silence.
“Tessa, I’ve just completed my examination. Shall I escort you to collect your medications p>
Tessa managed a brittle smile. “This minor wound requires no fuss. You should return home for proper rest, given your delicate condition p>
Gabriela acknowledged this with a nod before inquiring, “I’ve just received my ultrasound results. Would you care to examine them p>
Tessa wavered, her eyes suddenly brimming with unshed tears. “Please p>
The pair settled onto a weathered bench, studying the vibrant images adorning the prenatal examination report. At this developmental stage, the fetus had achieved near-complete formation, revealing distinct features, tiny hands, and delicate feet.
Tessa indicated one particular image with a genuine smile. “Your little one displays such mischief, crossing those legs to conceal the gender from curious eyes p>
Gabriela returned the warmth. “Whether boy or girl, my love remains absolute p>
Witnessing Gabriela’s radiant joy, Tessa recoiled as if struck, tears cascading down her cheeks without warning.
Gabriela frantically retrieved tissues to stem the flow. “Tessa, what’s wrong p>
“I just lost my child.” Tessa’s words emerged as silent sobs, tears streaming relentlessly. “The baby had reached nine precious weeks p>
Gabriela recalled Tessa’s battered face, and a horrifying realization crystallized in her mind. “That injury upon your face p>
“My husband’s fist delivered it.” Tessa crumbled completely. “His violence knows no bounds. Striking me wasn’t sufficient — he destroyed my unborn baby as well p>
He had sent her crashing to the floor, agony tearing through her abdomen, while household members remained indifferent to her suffering. She had summoned the strength to drag herself to her feet and rush to the hospital alone, only to receive the doctor’s cold confirmation: the child had not survived.
She had summoned enough strength to call for transportation to the hospital but collapsed upon arrival. When consciousness returned, her baby had vanished forever.
This marked Gabriela’s first glimpse into Tessa’s domestic nightmare, leaving her speechless and unable to offer guidance. She enveloped Tessa in silent comfort, her hand tracing soothing circles across her trembling back.
Tessa treasured Gabriela’s restraint, and after releasing her grief, gradually regained her composure. Suddenly, her spine went rigid, and she straightened with alarm.