Chapter 6: The Rhythmic Heartbeat
The stark, sterile white of the hospital room was a stark contrast to the elegant marble of the kitchen, yet to Clara, it was the most beautiful place in the world.
She lay back on the crisp pillows, an IV drip rehydrating her exhausted body. The bruises on her face had been carefully cleaned and treated, and a thick bandage covered a harsh scrape on her knee. But the most comforting sensation was the rapid, rhythmic thump-thump-thump coming from the fetal monitor beside the bed.
The baby was fine. Stressed, but perfectly healthy.
Arthur sat in a plastic chair drawn as close to the bed as possible. He was still wearing his naval uniform, the crisp white fabric now permanently stained with dirt, water, and his wife's blood. He refused to leave her side long enough to change.
“I should never have left you alone with her,” Arthur whispered, his forehead resting gently against her uninjured cheek. “When she offered to stay and help with the house while I was deployed, I thought… I don't know what I thought. I am so deeply sorry, Clara.”
“You came back,” Clara said softly, her fingers tangling into his neat, short hair. “You came back exactly when I needed you.”
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“My deployment was cut short. I wanted to surprise you,” he murmured, sitting up to look into her tired eyes. “I promise you, she will never come near you or our child again. I’m making sure of it.”
Clara squeezed his hand, the terror of the evening finally giving way to a profound sense of safety. She closed her eyes, letting the sound of their baby's heartbeat lull her into a much-needed sleep.
