The loss

As Rachel came to consciousness, she was aware of a persistent beeping sound. Her eyes fluttered open. She found herself staring into Kingsley's worried face.

"Babe, you are awake." Kingsley said, kissing her cheek.

"Where am I? What happened?"

"Take it easy, babe. You are in the hospital; you passed out. Just relax, okay?"

"Passed out? Hospital?" Then she remembered. "Is our baby alright?"

Kingsley winced. "Everything is fine, babe; just get well first. Your friend Calisa just left; she brought you flowers." He gestured to a bouquet on the table.

"That is sweet of her. How long have I been out?"

"Two days,"

"What? Are you sure the baby is alright?"

"Relax; everything is fine."

"What did the doctors say happened?"

"They are still running some tests."

"Has your family been here?"

Kingsley didn't answer; the look on his face was all the answer she needed.

He stood up. "Let me go home and get you a few things you'll need. Would you be ok?"

She shook her head. He kissed her and left. Outside, his face fell. He worried about how Gina would react when she learned she'd had a miscarriage. 

Upon entering their bedroom and discovering her bleeding on the floor, he felt terrified. He quickly lifted her, drove her to the hospital in his car, and sought medical help. His parents hadn't been bothered. His mother cared more for the bloodstained floor than her bleeding daughter-in-law. His dad had said Gina had probably had an OD. 

Kingsley was furious at their indifference; not only had they refused to come to the hospital, but they hadn't shown any empathy when he'd told them about the loss of the baby; if anything, they seemed pleased. 

He shifted his mind away from their behavior and back to Gina. He had to be strong for her sake, he decided, then headed home. 

His dad was at work, and Lucy wasn't yet back from school. His mom was having lunch with Franca when he came in.

"Mom, Fran,"

"Kingsley, dear, let me get your lunch," Mabel offered.

"No, I'm in a hurry. I just came to pick a few things for Gina."

"How is she?" Franca smiled mischievously.

"Better thanks,"

His mother sniffed. "There was nothing wrong with her in the first place, she was just pretending."

"Come on, Mom, we've lost a baby. Show some compassion."

"A pregnancy you are not even sure was yours," Mabel said angrily.

"Please, Mom, just stop!"

"Have the doctors told you what happened to her?" Franca asked with false concern.

"We'll know by this evening. You should come see her mom."

"I'm busy," Mabel said, and she resumed her conversation with Franca.

Kingsley shook his head and went upstairs.

"There is no way I'm going to see that gold digger. Thankfully she's lost that thing she was using to trap my son. Now he'll come to his senses and see her for the gold digger she is."

"Maybe you should go with him to the hospital," Franca suggested innocently. 

"Find out for yourself what is wrong with her. KK may keep it from you if it's what I'm thinking,"

"Which is?"

"The miscarriage may not have been accidental,"

"What do you mean?"

"She took something, perhaps to cause the miscarriage because she didn't want the baby. It's a common scam done by gold diggers like her. They use a pregnancy to lure an unsuspecting man into marriage, then take things to miscarry once they've accomplished their mission."

Mabel looked shocked. "What? I've never heard of such a thing.

You mean that she may have taken pills to cause the miscarriage?"

"It's possible. Although, KK wouldn't want to believe it."

"Well, I believe it," Mabel said furiously. " If that pest deliberately miscarried and is putting my son through all this trauma I will kill her." 

"Thanks Franca, I'll go to the hospital with him to hear for myself what really happened."

They both rose and Mabel walked her to the door.

"Please keep me posted," Franca continued. 

"Usually, they hide the things they use where no one can find them."

"Like where?"

"Like under the bed or in a wardrobe. I hope I'm wrong though, I'd hate to see KK get hurt."

"Sadly I'm afraid you are right," Mabel hugged her. Franca smiled as she walked to her car.

Rachel tried to recall what had happened but failed. Kingsley had said everything was fine, but her instincts said otherwise. A doctor came in and ran some more tests on her, then asked her some questions about the medication she's been taking for the last month. 

"Is my baby all right, doctor?" She asked anxiously.

The doctor had been asked by Kingsley not to give her the bad news just yet, so he told her to get some rest.

Tired, fearful, and frustrated, she fell into a restless doze and dreamed. She was back in Silvertown, in her boarding house, holding a baby. Suddenly, a woman appeared from nowhere and tried to take the baby from her. They were struggling, and the baby fell with an echoing thud. She woke up with a start to see Kingsley.

"How are you feeling?" He asked her.

"Better,"

"The doctor says you can go home tomorrow."

"What did he say was wrong? Is our baby doing well?"

He sighed. "Sweetheart, I need to tell you something."

They arrived home at 2.00 p.m. the next day. Kingsley helped her out of the car. She was weak. She had been in tears since he shared the news of the miscarriage. He kindly assisted her in moving upstairs and settling into their bedroom. They were stunned to see Mabel and Lucy standing beside their bed.

"Mom, Lucy, what's going on?' Kingsley asked

'I told you this girl was evil, but you refused to listen," Mabel ranted. "I told you she was using you!"

"Mom, please!"

"She caused her miscarriage, and we have evidence," Lucy said triumphantly.

"No! That's not true," Rachel protested.

"Explain this then," Mabel said, handing Kingsley a bottle of pills. "Found hidden under your mattress."

They examined them. "These are dangerous pills," he said, shocked. He turned to Rachel. "Gina, is this true?"

The shock and despair proved too much for Rachel; her head spun, and she collapsed into his arms.