Chapter 0201
As she walked peacefully down the street, she suddenly felt her legs grow wet. She looked down and saw a puddle. Thinking the ground was wet, she moved away, but people around her started staring. Finally, a man approached her and said:
“Miss, I think your water just broke.”
Mary’s face turned pale as nerves set in. ‘No, not yet, little one. It’s too soon,‘ she thought anxiously.
The middle–aged man took Mary’s hand and said gently:
“Come, sit down. I’ll call the ambulance.” He pulled out his phone and dialed emergency services. “Do you have any family you want us to notify? The baby’s father, maybe?”
“No, no, I’m alone,” she said, her face still frozen in fear.
“Alright, alright, just stay calm. The ambulance will be here soon. Are you in pain or anything?”
She shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears. She didn’t know how to react to the sudden turn of events. She wasn’t ready–or maybe she was–but the reality that her daughter was about to arrive had left her in shock.
After some time, the ambulance arrived. Though Mary still wasn’t in pain, they transported her to a public hospital. At the hospital, they asked for her identification. She handed over her ID, which now bore the name Valerie Mary Hunter.
She had obtained this new identity after hearing about relief offices set up to help people who had lost important documents during the last major earthquake. The process had been long, exhausting, and tedious, but it was her chance to start fresh. It had felt strange, even wrong, to lie, but it was the only way she could begin anew. She was no longer just Mary or Angela. She was now Valerie.
At the hospital, she was placed in a room with dozens of other women in labor. Despite her situation, she still wasn’t experiencing any pain. The nurses had to administer medication to induce contractions and start the
process.
Hours later, after pacing the hallways, the pain hit her like a wave. It felt as though her hips were splitting apart, and her belly was wracked with unbearable cramps. After a check–up, they told her she wasn’t fully dilated yet, but it wouldn’t be long..
The head nurse, noticing Mary’s solitude and the small shopping bags she had brought with her, couldn’t help. but feel a pang of sadness. The social worker had confirmed that no one had inquired about her. Approaching Mary, the nurse asked gently, “Sweetheart, tell me the truth. Did you run away from home? Where are your parents? Your partner?”
Through the pain and while clutching her enormous belly, Mary managed to reply:
“My husband and grandfather passed away. My father… I don’t know where he is. And my mother died giving birth to me. I… I don’t have anyone.”
“Oh, my dear child,” the nurse said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “It’s alright, it’s alright. You’re almost there. Come, let’s get you on the bed to check you.”
She offered Mary her hand, helping her onto the bed. As she watched the trembling, sweat–soaked young woman, her heart ached. ‘What’s this girl going to do all alone with her baby?” she wondered.
Chapter 0201
+25 BONUS
After a few more examinations, nervous tears, and endless contractions, Mary was finally taken into the delivery room. Gripping the head nurse’s hand, she whispered:
“There’s a bag with butterflies on it. Inside, there’s a letter. If something happens to me, please send it to the address on it. It’s my only family… but they’re in Valentia
The nurse nodded solemnly. Mary’s suffering was evident, but it was part of the process. Without the privileges of a private hospital, she had to endure the full intensity of labor before she could deliver. Hours passed before the cries of a newborn echoed through the room.
When the baby was born, they showed her to Mary. The little girl’s wide eyes were already open. Serenity had arrived. Mary, exhausted but overwhelmed with joy, didn’t hesitate to embrace her daughter and whisper:
“Hello, Serenity. Welcome to the world.”
Tears streamed down Mary’s face, but this time, they weren’t tears of pain or sorrow. They were tears of happiness and pride. She had brought a beautiful little girl into the world.
‘Peter, you would be so proud of our daughter. She’s beautiful. Thank you for watching over us,‘ she thought, clutching Serenity close to her heart.
