The doctor sighed heavily, like the weight of the world on his shoulders.
âThe treatment itself puts immense strain on the body,â he confessed.
âAnd since sheâs carrying twins, sheâs going to be fighting the drug internally while trying to feed the fetuses with limited energy and nutrients.
Itâsâ¦â
Though the doctor didnât spell it out, Theodore understood the unspoken truth that it was a burden for Ariana.
âPregnancy already demands a great toll on her,â the doctor continued.
âIf her body canât keep up, it could Lead to complete organ failure or a coma.
Things could get as bad.
â
âWhatâs the best course of action?â Theodore broke the stillness with a calm, steady voice.
âTermination,â the doctor replied firmly, like a hammer striking an anvil.
âWithout the fetuses drawing from her limited reserves, her odds of survival improve exponentially.
â
The memories of Arianaâs tearful pleas haunted Theodoreâs mind, like ghosts of sorrow and regret.
He closed his eyes briefly, battling the storm within.
âCould we wait until after she gives birth and then start treatment?â Theodore asked, clutching at straws in the tempest.
But the doctor shook his head, Like a solemn pendulum.
âIâm afraid that delay would mean catastrophe; a point of no return.
GK210 canât be fully purged from her body after 40 days of exposure.
The damage would be impossible to mend.
â
Fury and helplessness welled up inside Theodore, like a volcano ready to erupt.
He despised himself for not finding Ariana sooner, for not preventing this storm.
After a heavy silence, Theodoreâs voice was a dull murmur of resignation.
âWhen can we schedule the termination procedure?â
Ariana found herself swimming back to awareness, uncertain of how much time had passed.
As the haze of unconsciousness lifted, she was enveloped in a soft peace she hadnât felt in ages.
The emotional turmoil that had been her constant companion was gone.
Bits and pieces of a memory bubbled up â Theodore rushing to her side just before the world went black.
She turned to look for him, but he was asleep, slumped next to her bed, weariness etched into his expression.
He was out cold, like an adorable, defenseless large dog sleeping beside her.
Ariana felt a tug at her heart.
She tried to touch his hair, but even her tiny movement stirred him awake.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldnât form.
Theodore, however, reacted swiftly, wrapping her in a tight hug.
His body trembled slightly, and Ariana hugged him back, picking up on his shaken relief and guilt.
âIâm sorry,â he managed to get out, his words muffled against her shoulder.
Ariana was about to ask him what he was sorry for when she felt the telltale dampness of tears on her skin.
He was crying.
Gently, she pushed him away, finding his eyes red and teary as he silently Looked at her.
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In that moment, he reminded her of a stray puppy she used to feed, the same sorry look in its eyes after misbehaving.
Ariana didnât know what to say.
âIâm sorry,â Theodore said again, his face full of regret.
Assuming he was apologizing for her kidnap ordeal, Ariana quickly reassured him, âThat was Darian and Jasper who took me.
It wasnât your fault.
â
âI shouldnât have pushed you,â he replied, his voice thick with emotion.
His hand went to her stomach, and Ariana could see the pain in his eyes.
She was taken aback at first, but then she remembered the soft pleas and promises she heard from him while she was almost unconscious.
She gripped his hand in shock.
âWait, you are willing to keep our babies?â
Meeting her gaze, Theodore confirmed, âYes, the babies can stay, as long as they donât put you at risk.
â
Ariana was so happy that she impulsively ki*sed him, her eyes welling up with joyful tears.
âOur babies wouldnât hurt me.
Youâll be an amazing father!â
He didnât respond but smiled gently at her as he softly stroked her hair.