A Divorce He Regrets (Raina and Alexander) novel Chapter 263

“Why the heck aren’t you taking care of her?” He asked, his voice strained like he was trying to control his anger. “She’s a pregnant woman and you’re neglecting her.”

Guilt hit me hard like a punch to the gut.

“Is it serious?” I asked solemnly.

“It’s nothing serious, she’s just exhausted,” he replied with a sigh. “Her blood pressure is way too high for a woman this early in her pregnancy and it could affect not only her but also the baby.”

“High blood pressure?” I repeated, stunned by the revelation.

“Yes,” he replied with a nod. “She fainted because of the high level of stress, dehydration and from what her vitals are telling me… she hasn’t been eating well.”

My heart fell and I swallowed knots formed in my throat.

“She’s been… going through a lot,” I said quietly as I walked closer to the bed. Raina looked pale and her eyes were still closed but her lips were slightly parted as she was breathing slowly but evenly. She looked so small and tired lying there. So fragile too.

“Look,” the doctors spoke up again, his voice stern, “you need to figure things out fast. You can’t let your wife stress herself physically or meanly because if she keeps it up, she could lose the baby. And given how delicate and risky things already are, she might not recover easily if anything happens to her.”

I remained mute but I nodded in response.

“I’ll take my leave now but please make sure you bring her to the hospital for a checkup,” the doctor finished as he started packing his things into his bag.

“Thank you, I’ll make sure to follow all your instructions,” I said, my voice quiet and filled with the guilt that had eaten deep into me.

As soon as those words left my mouth, the doctor finished picking and was about to take his leave when Raina stirred slightly before her eyes fluttered open. Her eyes moved everywhere and I could see the look of confusion on her face. She closed her eyes before she opened it, blinking rapidly before her eyes settled on the doctor.

“Are you awake now Raina?” The doctor asked, his voice softer than when he had addressed me.

“Yes, I’m here,” I said softly. “How are you feeling now? Are you okay? Do you need anything? Should I get you water?”

She looked at me for a second but it felt like forever, her eyes were clouded and her expression was unreadable. Then after a painful moment of silence, he shook her head. “No, I’m fine and I don’t need anything,” she replied, flashing me a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I just need… some sleep.”

I nodded as I brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face. “Okay. I'll remain right here.”

She turned away from me and faced the other side. I could not only see it but also feel the invisible wall that was going up again between us.

I reached for her hand and she flinched but she didn’t pull it out of mine. Her fingers were cold and it sent shivers coursing through my body.

I shouldn’t have overreacted or even left the house when she was trying to talk to me. I shouldn’t have ignored her like she didn’t matter, I should have listened when she begged me to talk to her but I was stubborn. I thought I was punishing her with my silence, I thought that was enough to get her from being so stubborn but all I had done was leave her to deal with her guilt and everything else alone.