Page 184 of Arturo's Temptation

Face it, Arturo. People always die because of you.

Bella isn’t goin’ to die and neither is our baby.

Now do me a favour and fuck off.

When Lorenzo screeched the car to a grinding halt I had never felt more terrified. With Bella still cradled in my arms, I rushed out of the car and shoved my way into the Emergency Room.

“Help! Someone, help me, please!” I cried, the gasps of horror sounding out from anyone sat in the waiting room. Whatever happened next was a blur. Doctors and nurses took Bella from my arms and lay her on a stretcher.

“Sir, how far along is she?” I blinked as a nurse stepped in front of me.

“She’s seven and half months…” My voice trembled, threatening to break at any second. Over her shoulder, I faintly noticed them rushing Bella through some double doors. Cursing, I tried to follow.

“No… Sir, you have to wait here.” The nurse demanded as softly as she could. “You can’t go back there.

“But, she needs me. They need me!” I pleaded as she gripped my blood soaked arms.

“I’m sorry, Mr…?

“Ramos.”

“Mr Ramos… let us do our job. Okay?”

With that I stared as the double doors closed, taking away my lifelines.

I dropped to my knees and let out a howl of anger and devastation. Tears stung my eyes as I rubbed at them, Bella’s blood staining my face. A hand squeezing my shoulder brought me round.

“Arturo…” Lorenzo’s voice sounded strained.

“I can’t lose them, Lorenzo. I can’t.” I sobbed. “They’re the only good things I have.”

“You won’t lose them.” He crouched down beside me.

“You can’t promise that though, can ya?”

“No… But what I can promise you is my daughter is a fighter. You knew this better than I did.” That was true, I had.

“It’s my fault… They're here because of me.” I cried, slamming my fist to the floor.

“Don’t you dare fucking say that! What your mother did is on her, not you.”

“If I’d have got to her sooner, if I’d?—”

“Arturo, listen to me… We can sit here all day and talk about the what ifs, but it’s going to make no difference. She’s in here because of your mother, not because of you. Do you understand me?” I shuddered as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “Come on, let’s go and sit down.” With a deep sigh, he heaved me off the floor and ushered me to the chairs in the corner.

The wait was excruciating.I needed to know if my family was okay. Why wasn’t someone talking to me?

“Where is she?” Ana asked, as she, Luca and Andre came running through the doors, fear and upset marring their faces.

“In surgery.” I answered before Lorenzo got the chance.

She flung her arms around me. I didn’t understand. Why was everyone worried for me? Why weren’t they angry? Lorenzo tapped my knee before leaving Ana and Luca with me so he could fill in some paperwork.

“Arturo, what happened?” Luca asked, his eyes searching mine for some kind of answer.

“My mum attacked Bella.” My breath trembled.. “I don’t understand what happened.”

“We’ll find out,” Ana soothed, squeezing my hand. “Our Bella is strong. She will survive this Arturo… Her and your little one.”

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