The Bride Widow
Chapter 133: Ch 133: Inner Turmoil - Part 2

Chapter 133: Ch 133: Inner Turmoil - Part 2

Just as her resolve to stay quiet began to crumble, the door creaked open. The sudden noise startled her, and her heart leaped in her chest.

She heard the familiar cadence of a doctor’s footsteps approaching the bed, the sound a welcome interruption to the tension in the room.

"Good evening," the doctor said, his tone polite but professional. He glanced at the clipboard in his hands before looking toward Anabella’s bed. "How is our patient doing?"

Clair and Noah straightened in their seats, momentarily distracted from their vigil. Anabella seized the opportunity. Slowly, she shifted under the covers, letting out a soft groan as if waking naturally.

"Oh," Clair exclaimed softly, her voice tinged with relief. "She’s awake."

Anabella blinked her eyes open, squinting against the harsh overhead lights. She turned her head slightly, pretending to notice the doctor first before letting her gaze drift toward her friends. "What’s going on?" she mumbled, her voice hoarse from disuse.

Noah moved closer, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of distress. "You’re in the hospital," he said gently. "You collapsed at work. They brought you here."

"I... I see," Anabella murmured, avoiding their eyes. She tried to sit up, but the doctor raised a hand, signaling her to stay put.

"Not so fast," he said kindly. "You need to rest. Your body is still recovering from the stress it’s been under."

Anabella nodded faintly, her cheeks warming under the weight of Clair and Noah’s concerned gazes. The doctor continued to speak, explaining her condition and the steps they were taking to help her recover. But Anabella barely registered the words. Her focus remained on her friends, on the quiet worry etched into their faces.

When the doctor finished, he gave her a reassuring smile. "You’re in good hands," he said, glancing at Clair and Noah. "If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let us know."

As he turned to leave, Anabella let out a small sigh of relief. His presence had given her the excuse she needed to wake up, but now that he was gone, the weight of her friends’ attention settled heavily on her once more.

Clair leaned forward, her voice soft and full of concern. "Bella, why didn’t you tell us you were feeling this bad?"

"I didn’t..." Anabella paused, struggling to find the right words. "I didn’t want to worry anyone."

Noah frowned, his arms crossing over his chest. "And collapsing at work wasn’t going to worry us? Bella, come on."

"I’m fine now," she said quickly, her tone defensive. "Really. It’s not a big deal."

"It is a big deal," Clair interjected firmly. "You’ve been pushing yourself too hard, and it’s taking a toll on you. We’re worried about you, Bella."

Anabella’s lips pressed into a thin line. She appreciated their concern, but it felt suffocating. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention, especially not like this. "I’ll be okay," she insisted, though even she didn’t fully believe her own words.

Clair and Noah exchanged a look, one that Anabella couldn’t quite decipher. She knew they cared, but their worry only added to the overwhelming weight on her shoulders. For now, all she wanted was a moment of peace, a chance to catch her breath and sort through her thoughts.

The doctor’s keen eyes flicked over Anabella’s expression, noting the subtle tension in her jaw and the way her hands clenched the hospital blanket. Her breathing had quickened slightly, and her responses to her friends’ concern were becoming clipped.

He cleared his throat to break the rising tension. "Excuse me," he said, directing his words toward Clair and Noah. "I think it would be best if the patient had a little space to calm down. She’s been through a lot, and too much stimulation right now might hinder her recovery."

Clair bristled slightly, her protective instincts kicking in. "But we’re her friends," she said, her tone firm. "We’re here to help."

"I understand that," the doctor replied, his tone calm but resolute. "And I appreciate your support. But Anabella needs rest and a moment to herself to process everything. You can come back in a little while."

Noah’s eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw tightening. He looked at Anabella, who was avoiding his gaze entirely. It didn’t take a genius to see she was retreating inward, overwhelmed by their presence and the weight of her situation. Still, he hesitated. "Are you sure?" he asked softly. "We don’t want to leave her alone if she—"

"I’ll be fine," Anabella cut in, her voice quiet but firm. Her eyes flickered up to meet theirs briefly before darting away again. "Really. I just... I just need a little time."

Clair exchanged a look with Noah, her lips pressed into a thin line. She didn’t like the idea of leaving Anabella alone, not when she clearly needed support, but she also didn’t want to cause her more stress. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, she nodded.

"Alright," Clair said, standing up from her chair. "We’ll step out for now. But we’re not going far. We’ll be right outside if you need us."

Noah followed suit, his movements slower and more deliberate. He placed a hand on the edge of the bed for a brief moment, a silent gesture of reassurance, before stepping back. "We’ll give you some space," he said, his voice tinged with reluctance. "But don’t try to handle this all on your own, Bella. We’re here for you."

Anabella managed a small nod, though her eyes remained fixed on her lap. She didn’t trust herself to speak without her voice breaking.

The doctor gave Clair and Noah a grateful nod. "Thank you for understanding. I’ll call you back in once she’s had some time to rest."

Clair and Noah walked to the door, their steps heavy with reluctance. Just before exiting, Clair glanced back one more time, her gaze lingering on Anabella with a mix of worry and affection. Then they were gone, the door clicking shut behind them.

The silence that followed was deafening. Anabella let out a shaky breath, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly now that the room was empty. But the relief was fleeting, quickly replaced by a gnawing guilt. She knew they only wanted to help, but their concern felt like a spotlight on all the ways she had failed to keep herself together.

The doctor stepped closer to her bedside, his expression gentle but professional. "Take a deep breath," he said softly. "You’ve been holding a lot in, haven’t you?"

Anabella’s throat tightened, but she nodded. The truth of his words stung, but she couldn’t deny them. She had been carrying her burdens alone for so long, it felt strange to let anyone else see her vulnerability.

"You don’t have to talk about it now," the doctor continued, his tone soothing. "But it’s important to let yourself rest, both physically and emotionally. Your friends care about you deeply, but it’s okay to ask for space when you need it."

Anabella swallowed hard, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

The doctor offered her a reassuring smile. "Just focus on yourself for now. We’ll take it one step at a time."

With that, he adjusted the monitor by her bed and left her to the quiet, giving her the solitude she so desperately needed. Anabella sank back into the pillows, closing her eyes and letting the stillness wash over her.