CHAPTER 61 — NIGHT OF FEAR AND LOSS
The moon hung low over the horizon, casting a soft silver glow on the waves that lapped gently at the shore. Dante had spared no effort in making tonight unforgettable for Auri. The private beach had been transformed into a dreamscape: a table for two adorned with white orchids and flickering candles, soft music drifting from concealed speakers, the scent of the ocean blending with the sweet aroma of the carefully prepared dinner. Every detail had been meticulously planned to make Auri feel cherished, loved, and celebrated.
Auri's eyes widened as she stepped onto the sand, hand in hand with Dante. Her belly, now seven months along, brushed lightly against Dante's side, and the baby kicked gently, as if sensing the magic of the evening. "Dante… this… this is incredible," she whispered, her voice catching in her throat. The glow of the candles danced across her teary eyes, reflecting the emotion she couldn't contain.
Dante's lips curved into a soft, teasing smile. "It's all for you, Auri," he said, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Tonight is about us, about our family. I want you to forget everything else—work, stress, any worry. Just you, me, and our baby."
Auri's heart skipped a beat, and she rested a hand on her belly, feeling the baby respond with a soft, fluttering kick. She smiled despite herself, letting a warmth wash over her. "It's perfect… thank you, Dante."
He led her to the table, seating her carefully, ensuring she was comfortable. As they dined, Dante's attention was unwavering. He poured her water, fed her small bites, teased her lightly, and whispered sweet nothings that made her cheeks flush and her heart race. Despite her pregnancy, she found herself laughing more freely than she had in months, letting the stress of their lives melt away in the intimacy of the moment.
After dinner, Dante took her to a lounge set up on the sand, where soft blankets and pillows awaited. The stars above were mirrored by the gentle glow of the candles, creating a private world that belonged only to them. They sat close, fingers intertwined, enjoying the sound of the waves and each other's presence. Dante leaned closer, brushing a gentle kiss along her jawline. "I could spend every night like this," he murmured. "Just holding you, feeling you here with me…"
Auri leaned against him, feeling the warmth of his chest beneath her cheek. "I… I love you, Dante," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I feel so safe with you… with us."
"And I love you," Dante replied, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'll protect you and our baby… always."
Their intimacy deepened as they sat under the night sky, sharing touches and kisses that were tender and filled with love. Every movement was careful, every gesture mindful of the baby growing inside her, yet there was an unspoken promise of desire, connection, and unbreakable trust between them. They whispered confessions, laughed quietly, and kissed with a passion that was restrained yet fiery, their love blooming in that stolen world by the sea.
Eventually, Auri excused herself to the restroom nearby, promising she would return quickly. Dante nodded, his gaze never leaving her form as she walked away. But moments later, a sharp scream shattered the tranquility of the evening.
"Auri!" Dante shouted, heart leaping into his throat. He sprinted toward the sound, only to see her crumpled on the wet tiles near the restroom entrance, her hand pressed to her belly, her face contorted in pain. Blood had begun to seep through her fingers, staining the flowing fabric of her dress.
"No! Stay with me, Auri! Look at me!" Dante yelled, dropping to his knees beside her. His hands hovered uncertainly, trembling as he tried to gauge the extent of her injuries. "Don't move… don't you dare move!"
"I… it hurts… so much… my stomach… it hurts!" Auri cried, her legs trembling, unable to support her own weight. Tears streamed down her face, and Dante's heart shattered at the sight.
"You're okay… you're okay… I've got you," he said, gripping her hands tightly. "I'm not leaving your side. Breathe for me, okay? Stay with me. Please, stay with me!"
She sobbed uncontrollably. "Dante… the baby… I'm scared… it… it hurts…"
"You don't have to be scared," he whispered urgently, his voice cracking with panic. "I'm here… I'll get help… it's going to be fine. I promise. You and our baby are going to be fine."
The resort staff arrived quickly after Dante's urgent call, and they moved with precision to stabilize her. They laid her carefully on a stretcher, and Dante refused to let go of her hand, even as they lifted her into the emergency transport. "I'm right here! Don't you let go! Hold on, Auri! Hold on for me!" he shouted, his voice nearly breaking.
The ride to the hospital was a tense silence filled only by Auri's soft cries and Dante's whispered reassurances. Every bump in the road made him flinch, every cry from her wracking his heart. "Stay with me, Auri! Please, my love, you have to stay with me!" he begged, gripping her hand as though he could physically keep her safe from harm.
Upon arrival, the medical team whisked Auri away, leaving Dante standing in the sterile, fluorescent-lit hallway, clutching his coat tightly. The minutes dragged into hours, each second torturing him with the unknown. He pounded his fists against his legs, muttering curses under his breath, tears streaming freely. Why did this happen? I promised I'd protect them… I promised…
Finally, a doctor emerged, his expression grim and unreadable. Dante's chest tightened, fear flooding him. "Doctor… how is she? Is she… is the baby…?" His voice trembled, and he could barely finish the sentence.
The doctor's face darkened further. "Mr. Moretti… I'm… I'm very sorry."
Dante froze, his mind refusing to comprehend the words. "What… what do you mean?" he asked, panic sharpening every tone. "Is she—are they…?"
"There was significant trauma from the fall," the doctor explained slowly, his voice heavy with sympathy. "We did everything we could, but… the baby… did not survive. Auri is stable, but the baby…" His voice faltered, and Dante's knees buckled as the world around him seemed to shatter.
"No… no…" Dante whispered, unable to speak further. He stared blankly at the doctor, feeling his heart twist in agony. "My… my baby…" His voice was hoarse, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.
Dante's parents arrived moments later, summoned by frantic calls. The sight of their son, kneeling in the sterile hallway, hands clenched in despair, sent tears streaming down their faces. They reached for him, holding him tightly as he sobbed, his body shaking with grief. "It's gone… our baby… our child… it's gone…"
Inside the ER, Auri remained unconscious, her chest rising and falling shallowly, oblivious to the storm of grief surrounding her. Dante's hands continued to clutch hers, as if his presence alone could somehow will the tragedy away.
"I… I couldn't… I should have… I failed them… I failed them both…" he whispered, his voice broken. "I promised I'd protect you, Auri… I promised our baby…"
His parents held him tighter, though they themselves were nearly broken. "Dante… you did everything you could. You couldn't have known… she's alive, and that's what matters. Focus on her now."
Dante's tears fell harder, sliding down his cheeks, dripping onto the sterile floor. He refused to let go of her hand, unwilling to let her or their lost child out of his grasp. Every sob shook him to his core. Every thought of the tiny life that had barely begun tormented him endlessly.
Time blurred. Dante's mind raced with questions, guilt, anger, and despair. He thought about how fleeting life was, how fragile the bond between them and the tiny life inside her could be. The world outside seemed distant and meaningless compared to the fear that consumed him in that hospital corridor.
He remembered every kick, every movement the baby had made, every moment of laughter and intimacy he had shared with Auri over the past months. Now, all of that threatened to vanish into nothingness, leaving only the hollow ache of loss.
Yet Dante did not leave her side. Hours passed, the hospital buzzing with quiet activity around them, but he remained, kneeling, holding her hand, whispering desperate words into the sterile air. "Auri… my love… please wake up… please, I need you… I need you to open your eyes… I need to see you… I need you to feel me… I need us…"
Auri remained unconscious, pale and fragile on the hospital bed, her breaths shallow but steady. Dante refused to let go, refusing to believe the world could continue without her warmth. He whispered promises through his tears, kissed her hand, and held her close to his chest, each moment stretching endlessly.
The night was long, heavy, and unbearable. And yet, Dante stayed, broken but unwavering, holding onto the woman he loved and the memory of the child they had lost.
Auri remained unconscious, unaware of the storm of fear, grief, and love that swirled around her.