Chapter 2.12

“Ugh, ah, ah…”

A strangled groan escaped her lips. She lifted her head to check the clock. It was 4:30. Amy usually returned at six, and Hugo’s return times were unpredictable. She didn’t think she could endure this pain until six. Scraping the floor, she tried to gather her strength to stand. She needed to get to the hospital. It was only a 15-minute walk from the house.

“Hhik.”

But standing was no easy task. Her feet slipped multiple times. In the distance, she spotted the cane Hugo had once bought her. He had gifted it, suggesting she take it on walks just in case. Though she had never used it, it now looked like a lifeline. She crawled toward the cane. Grasping it, she used it as a support to pull herself up.

She managed to stand, but each step forward was a struggle. The pain was overwhelming. With every breath and every step, waves of agony crashed over her, shaking her to her core. She wanted nothing more than to faint and escape the torment.

“Hhrrk…”

Gripping the cane tightly, she dragged herself forward. She stopped to clutch her belly in pain, then forced herself to move again, repeating the cycle.

She barely made it to the front door. Opening it, she stepped outside. The cold wind cut through her like a blade. She felt as though her bones were freezing.

“Huff…”

White breath escaped her lips. Shivering, she pushed forward. Whether it was the weight of her swollen belly or the pain gripping her abdomen, her vision began to blur. Her strength gave out, and her legs twisted beneath her. She stumbled.

“Ah…”

The cane slipped from her grasp, and she was about to fall forward when someone caught her with a firm grip. She recognized him immediately by his scent.

“…”

He held her without saying a word or making any movement. In the silence, her labored breathing and his pounding heartbeat were the only sounds breaking the stillness.

She felt his hands trembling as they gripped her shoulders.

“I’ll… I’ll call a doctor.”

Karl Lavresion’s trembling voice broke the silence. She couldn’t respond and simply stared at him. Under normal circumstances, she would have said she was fine, but the pain clouding her mind made it impossible to deny his words.

He carried her into the house, almost cradling her. It was his first time entering this place. Even when the door had been unlocked, he had always remained outside…

“Lie down. I’ll send someone to fetch the doctor. Just hold on for a little while.”

He squeezed her hand before rushing out the door. She heard him calling, “Ronan!” summoning his subordinate.

Why was he here? Why had he appeared as if he had been waiting?

Before she could think further, the pain wracked her brain. She clutched her belly, staring at the ceiling. She felt a small pop inside her abdomen, followed by a warm trickle between her legs.

Had my water broken?

This bed belonged to Amy and Hugo, who had lent it to me… I couldn’t soil it… 

That thought circled in her mind.

Her lower body grew damp. She couldn’t control it. The tightening pain in her belly was now joined by a sharp ache in her back.

“Ahh, ugh… hh.”

It hurt. It hurt. It hurt.

This was worse than being struck by her mother. Groans and screams escaped her lips involuntarily.

“Aagh, ah, ah!”

It felt as though she were being torn apart. Clutching the sheets, she glanced down. The bed was already soaked with amniotic fl*id. Just as she was drowning in agony, she heard Karl Lavresion’s hurried footsteps. He rushed to her side, grabbing her hand.

“Leti, Leti, Leti…”

Why did he have to call me by that nickname at a time like this? 

She turned her head to look at him. His brows were furrowed deeply, and he looked even more distressed than she did as he gazed at her.

When he looked at her with that expression and called her by a nickname… she couldn’t help but foolishly misunderstand again.

A faint laugh escaped her lips. His eyebrows twitched in response.

“You’re laughing in a situation like this?” 

He said, almost scolding her. She turned her gaze back to the ceiling, tilting her head as sharp pain surged through her.

“Hhik…”

Unconsciously, her nails dug into the back of his hand.

Pain had always clung to her like a shadow, but even so, she had never grown used to it.

Even now… she hated the agony with every fiber of her being.

Like a lantern flickering before her eyes, memories of her childhood flashed through her mind. Just as she had recalled moments of happiness earlier, this time, moments of pain came rushing back.

‘You shouldn’t have been born!’ 

Mother, did you feel this much pain when you gave birth to me? Were you in agony even after I was born?

‘Leti, promise me you’ll stay by my side. I’ll stay by yours too. You will, won’t you, my one and only daughter?’

I’m sorry. Forgive me. I was wrong. I couldn’t keep my promise to you, Mother.

‘I am not your father.’

The Emperor’s voice denying her existence.

‘Foolish girl.’

The Baron’s voice mocking her.

‘I booked separate rooms… See you tomorrow, Leticia.’

Karl Lavresion’s cold voice, hinting at the end of something.

Her mind was a mess. The physical pain and the painful memories intertwined, creating a deafening buzz in her head. Tears trickled from her eyes.

“Leti, just hold on a little longer. They’ll be here soon, okay?”

Just as he said, the midwife and doctor burst into the house not long after. Two of his subordinates, who were always by his side, accompanied them. Dazed, she stared at the small room now filled with people.

Amy and Hugo would be shocked if they saw this. This is their house… 

Even amidst the haze of pain, that thought came to her first.

“Everyone, leave the room!” 

The midwife and doctor shouted. 

Karl Lavresion didn’t let go of her hand, even after hearing those words.

“Sir, you must leave as well!”

But he’s not my husband…

Did other people think we were married?

But we’re really nothing to each other.

It hurts…

Without denying it, he slowly released her hand, still gazing at her with a pained expression.

He and his two subordinates left the room, and the midwife and doctor took positions between her legs. They skillfully lifted her skirt and removed her undergarments. It all happened in an instant.

The command to push echoed in her ears. She gave it her all, but the pain didn’t subside. Instead, her head spun, and she felt nauseous, as though she might pass out at any moment.

“Push harder!”

The voice rang out again. She pushed with all her might, screaming in agony. The pain was unbearable. It was hundreds, thousands of times worse than her mother’s merciless kicks or harsh slaps. She wanted to let go of her mind entirely.

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.

I don’t want to feel pain anymore.

The doctor and midwife spread her legs wide and looked inside, inserting their hands. Her screams filled the room.

I’m really going to die.

As she writhed in pain, she felt death approaching. It was as if all the blood in her body was draining away, her soul detaching from her flesh.

They say that when you reach the peak of pain, it disappears, and you feel light instead. It was true, just as they said. Her mind and pain separated, and she felt as though her body was floating.

Ah.

So this is how I die. Truly.

The gods have come to claim my life. To free me from this suffering.

To tell me not to hurt anymore…

She felt something slide out of her from below. Then, loud cries filled the air. Not one, but two. Just as the doctor had said, they were twins.

She wanted to see Karl Lavresion’s smiling face one last time. But she never did.

Her vision blurred. She vaguely saw the figure of a god approaching her. Smiling as she gazed at the figure, she silently thanked them for finally coming.

I won’t have to get hurt or feel pain anymore, right?

She mouthed the words silently. No sound came out. Without hearing an answer, she slipped into unconsciousness.