Chapter 322: [63.5] Cyrus POV: A Grief One Should Never Feel
[Disclaimer: This chapter includes mature material that may not be suitable for every reader. This chapter includes emotional manipulation, emotional and physical abuse, assault resulting in loss of a child, and other themes that may be traumatizing to the reader.]
The memory slowly faded to a new one.
In this memory, Reika was rushing to pack her bags. She was throwing in photos and other memorabilia when a door slammed behind her. Her eyes widened in fear as she spun around, "Y-You… You should be at work…"
Her boyfriend stomped over to her, smoke plumed out from around him as if he was a vengeful ghost. His voice was harsh, "Do you really think I wouldn't catch on? Do you really think I would let you go that easily?"
The room started spinning out of control.
What happened next…
Reika wouldn't let me see.
Then I watched as the scene changed into something new. I was standing in front of a window overlooking large, towering buildings. The sight was something I could have never imagined. There were lights, relentless noise, and images on the sides of boards moving as if they were alive.
It really is another world.
Behind me was a rhythmic beeping. I turned around in surprise and was shocked to see a woman in bed. Her head was wrapped with a few strands of hair poking out. Her eyes were swollen and her body was bruised.
I could barely recognize her, but…
The degenerate man who held her hand was all too familiar by now.
Also in the room was another man wearing a white long coat, trying to repress his fury. He glared down at the man, "Tell me what happened."
The boyfriend spoke, "We were on a walk to visit a temple, as we do every afternoon, and Reika suddenly got lightheaded and fell. I tried to catch her, but it happened so quickly. She fell down the stairs and hit her head. When I couldn't wake her up, I brought her here immediately."
My mouth dropped open, "BULLSHI-"
The man in the white coat looked at Reika as if he didn't trust the story, "Is that what happened?"
The boyfriend squeezed her hand, making her wince. She spoke in a raspy voice, "I… fell..."
"Right. Well, I have to do a more in-depth check." He put on gloves and glared at the boyfriend, "You need to leave the room."
The boyfriend went from pitiful to harsh in a moment, "I'm not leaving her alone!"
"Sir. It's not a request. It's an order. It's part of our policy that anyone not in her family-"
"LIKE HELL!" The boyfriend flew over to stand threateningly in front of the doctor, but the doctor looked into his eyes without even flinching. He didn't stand down and spoke in a menacing tone, "I am her fiance. You can't shoo me out!"
My eyes widened, "Fiance?"
"I don't care." The doctor spoke through his teeth, "You need to leave… Or should I call the police to escort you out?"
The boyfriend finally composed himself and took a deep breath, "Fine."
He returned to Reika's side where he held her hand, putting more pressure on it as if to emphasize his next words. "Don't worry, darling. I will be right outside of the room waiting… Do you understand?"
Reika nodded quickly and watched him leave the room with anxiety and fear in her eyes.
The doctor walked to her, "Okay, Reika. I'm going to start my examination. If there's any discomfort or if you have any questions-"
Reika grabbed the man, "Doctor… Please. My stomach… Hurts… It hurts really badly."
The doctor smiled, "Don't worry. I will check out your injuries. If there's anything-"
"No! You're not listening!" Her grasp on him tightened as tears appeared in her eyes, "I've been bleeding… Badly."
Staring at her in confusion, his eyes suddenly widened. He ran to the wall and pushed a button, "Nurse. I need you to bring the ultrasound. NOW!"
A nurse rolled in a machine, looking anxiously at the doctor. The doctor went to work using the machine. The curtain was pulled and I was on the other side confused.
I heard the nurse mutter, "Doctor… There's no heartbeat."
A soft whimper echoed in the room, "No… No…"
After a few more scrambling inside the curtain, I heard the doctor whisper, "I'm sorry… But there was too much trauma. The child-"
The memory suddenly jumped forward in time.
Reika was getting out of bed with a dark expression. Her swollen eyes no longer held tears. The doctor tried stopping her, "Wait! You need to report the attack. The police can charge him with assault ending in death-"
"No." She pulled out the cords, "I fell down a flight of stairs. I have been treated. I'm going home."
"Wait! There may be long-term damage! Please stay so we can make sure-"
Reika glared at them as tears rolled down her swollen cheeks, "I don't care."
Just like that, Reika left the room with her boyfriend smiling smugly at the nurse and doctor.
The nurse spoke, "Should we call the police?"
The doctor sighed, "Just make a report about it. The police won't do anything unless the woman is willing to come forward."
Although I couldn't understand the memory, I knew one thing.
This event changed Reika.
At work, when she finally returned, she refused to go near children.
She would turn her nose up at them and wouldn't let them touch her.
She went from loving children, to despising them.
Whenever she saw a baby, she would run to the bathroom and cry until her makeup wore off.
There was nothing I could do except stand behind her and offer silent support.
Reika added makeup to her skin, covering the dark purple spots.
Hanabae crept into the bathroom with a somber look, "Reika… Are you okay?"
Seeing her friend, Reika broke down into sobs. Hanabae rushed to her side to comfort her as she sobbed, "M-My b-b-baby is-is GONE!"
"Reika… I am so, so sorry…" She reached out to hug her, "At least you don't have to worry about him having an excuse to hold onto you any longer."
What did she say?!
My mouth dropped, "How can you say that at a time like this?!"
Even if she was trying to comfort Reika, saying that is just-
Just cruel!
Reika's eyes dimmed as she hugged her back, "Yeah…"
"Reika… This time don't pack any bags. Come home with me today."
Reika nodded with tears in her eyes, "Yeah."
The colors around me started to brighten as the memories started flashing.
Two friends walked hand in hand, laughing and giggling.
But when Reika was alone…
She would hold her stomach and cry.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Nekoru
Nekoru This part really makes me emotional. No matter how much time passes, this moment stayed with Reika even years into the future when Reika has a new life.
She doesn't EVER forget her past life as I may have led you to believe.
If you read the earlier chapters, you will see her scars are still there.
Grief doesn't go away.
And for Reika, she just tried her best not to think about it.
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