159. Potential Doom
Preeclampsia? Heidi couldn’t recall where she’d heard that name from. Wasn’t it one of those terrible pregnancy complications that risk the life of both mother and baby?
“D-Doc.” She tried to speak in vain. Her lips trembled and her speech was incoherent to even her.
Dr. Shawn studied her expression, giving her a serious look. “It’s a dangerous condition that can lead to a lot of things such as premature birth.”
He just spoke out the words Heidi was thinking in her mind, and her anxiety increased.
Seeing her pale expression, Dr. Shawn finally gave her a smile. “I didn’t mean to scare you, but it is my duty to warn you of the situation you might land in if you don’t look after your health.”
He paused. “That is why you must stop overworking yourself, and always think happy thoughts.”
How could Heidi think happy thoughts when there was a potential doom looming ahead?
She couldn’t think happy thoughts with the knowledge that she was at a high risk of developing that condition.
Dr. Shawn assured her that all would be well if she just took proper care of her health, yet, the fear lingered in her heart, lurking like a shadow.
“You don’t look good, Heidi,” Steve told her while they left the hospital. “Is everything alright? How severe is your illness?”
Heidi had been oddly silent, deeply lost in her thoughts that she failed to remember the man walking with her.
She lifted her head, snapping out of her reverie. She couldn’t even force a smile as she responded, “It’s nothing to be worried about.”
Steve held the car’s door open for her and she sat inside. “You can tell me whatever is bothering you, Heidi. I’ll do anything to help.”
“Don’t worry about me, Steve.” Heidi found herself smiling at his kind gesture and care. “It’s just a tiny problem that has already been solved.”
As the words left her lips, Heidi’s guilt returned, wondering why she was even hiding it from him.
Was she being hypocritical?
Steve should know, right?
After all, his intention towards her was evident, and her pregnancy could turn him off. While he still had his hopes high, she’d better tell him as soon as possible.
“How I wish I could read minds, Heidi. Then I would know the thing that is bothering you.” His voice reached her ears after God knew how long,
Yet again, bringing her out of her thoughts.
Heidi returned to her senses and found out that he’d parked the car in front of a confectionery shop.
“Why did you stop?” She asked.
Steve only smiled, and then he left the car, telling her, “I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
And Heidi was left with her thoughts again until Steve returned later.
In his hands were two large nylons with the shop’s logo on them. He dropped one nylon inside the car’s compartment and then gave one to her.
The chilling condensation touched Heidi’s lap and she shivered a bit. “Ice cream?” Pulling the nylon open, she peeked inside it.
“I heard it uplifts one’s mood, mostly effective on girls,” Steve said. “Finish this one then I’ll give you the remaining one.”
Strangely, Heidi was suddenly craving the ice cream, her once gloomy heart filled with bliss as she pulled up the lid.
“You like it, don’t you?” Steve chortled at her excitement.
Heidi bobbed her head. “Thanks a lot, Steve.”
“Anything for you-” Steve was about to start the car when another car blocked their path.
The car drove straight forward, parking a few feet only away from Steve’s car. The ice cream cup almost dropped from Heidi’s hands, seeing the familiar car.
The driver left the car in a hurry as if running for his life and disappeared inside the shop.
And not long after the driver left, the person she dreaded to see came out of that car.
