From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 81

**Chapter 5**

Fiona had settled into a quiet routine at home, embracing the gentle rhythms of her pregnancy. Meanwhile, Cedric busied himself with her care, often disappearing for long stretches, leaving me to navigate the silence of our shared space alone. His absence felt like a heavy weight on my chest, a reminder of the life that was slowly unfolding without me.

As the days turned into weeks, my insomnia deepened, creeping into every corner of my mind. Sleep eluded me, and with it came a host of unsettling symptoms. I found myself trapped in a haze, my thoughts spiraling into confusion. Hallucinations danced at the edges of my vision, twisting reality into something unrecognizable.

Each morning, I awoke feeling more disoriented than the last, as if I were wading through a thick fog that clung to my limbs and clouded my mind. It wasn’t until that fateful morning when I coughed violently, spitting blood into the sink, that the gravity of my situation hit me like a cold wave. The metallic taste lingered in my mouth, a stark reminder that I could no longer ignore what was happening to me.

After hastily dressing, my fingers trembling as I fumbled with my keys, I made my way to the hospital alone. The taxi ride was a blur, the city passing by in a rush of colors and sounds that felt distant and muffled. Arriving at the hospital, I was greeted by the sterile scent of antiseptic and the hum of fluorescent lights, a stark contrast to the chaos in my mind.

In the doctor’s office, he adjusted his glasses, peering at my report as if it held the secrets to an unsolvable puzzle. His hesitation was palpable, and I could see the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice tinged with concern, “Did anyone from your family come with you?”

I shook my head, the word “No” escaping my lips with a heaviness that echoed in the room.

“It’s okay. You can tell me. I can handle whatever the result is. I’m mentally prepared,” I assured him, trying to inject a sense of calm into the air, though inside, my heart raced.

Our eyes locked for a brief moment, and time seemed to freeze. But then, the nurse at the entrance bowed respectfully to him, breaking the spell. “Mr. Smith, I’ll take you up for your scheduled VIP examination,” she announced, her voice bright and professional.

Cedric nodded, his focus shifting entirely to her, and without a second glance at me, he followed her down the corridor. A wave of disappointment washed over me, and I quickly averted my gaze, feeling the sting of self-pity as I tucked the report back into my bag. I had hoped he might at least inquire about my presence, but the reality was harsher than I had anticipated.

Perhaps it was best this way. I wouldn’t disturb him anymore.