The Twisted Obsession
Chapter 162: Stable

Chapter 162: Stable

As Remo and Abby rushed back home, their hearts raced with worry. The night sky seemed to darken around them, mirroring the heavy weight that settled in their chests. With each passing moment, their fears for Matteo and Stella grew.

The drive to the hospital felt like an eternity, the streets blurring together as they navigated through the city. Abby gripped Remo’s hand tightly, finding solace in the warmth of his touch.

"Please, let them be okay," Abby whispered, her voice trembling with emotion even though she didn’t know Stella, Matteo had been there for her before.

Remo squeezed her hand reassuringly, his own heart heavy with concern. "They’ll be fine, Abby," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We’ll get there as soon as we can."

As they arrived at the hospital, they rushed through the doors, their footsteps echoing in the empty corridors. The receptionist directed them to the maternity ward, where they found Matteo pacing anxiously outside the delivery room, his face pale with worry. He looked up as Remo and Abby approached, relief flooding his features at the sight of them.

"Thank God you’re here," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Stella’s condition is critical. The doctors are doing everything they can, but..." His voice trailed off, unable to voice the fear that gripped them all.

Remo’s heart clenched at the sight of his brother’s distress. Without a word, he wrapped Matteo in a tight embrace, offering what little comfort he could in the face of such uncertainty.

Remo’s heart ached as he held his brother tightly, the weight of the situation pressing heavily upon him. "Where is the baby?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his concern for both Stella and the newborn child weighing heavily on his mind.

Matteo pulled back slightly, his eyes meeting Remo’s with a mixture of sorrow and relief. "She’s in the neonatal intensive care unit," he replied, his voice trembling with emotion. "The doctors say she’s stable for now, but they’re keeping a close eye on her."

Remo nodded, his heart sinking at the thought of his niece fighting for her life just moments after entering the world. "We have to see her," he said.

Matteo nodded in agreement. Together, they made their way to the NICU, Abby following close behind, her hand still tightly clasped in Remo’s.

As they entered the unit, the sight of the tiny newborn surrounded by tubes and monitors brought tears to Remo’s eyes. He approached the incubator with a mixture of awe and fear, his heart breaking at the sight of the fragile life before him.

The baby girl lay sleeping peacefully, her tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. Remo reached out a trembling hand, his fingers brushing gently against her tiny cheek.

"She’s so small," Abby whispered, her voice filled with wonder and sadness.

Remo nodded, his throat tight with emotion. "But she’s a fighter," he replied, his voice filled with determination. "She’s going to make it through this."

She stirred at his touch, her tiny fingers curling around his larger ones.

Abby stood beside Remo, watching the tender moment between him and the newborn with a mixture of admiration and sadness. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the tiny infant fighting for her life, her heart aching at the sight of her fragile form.

"She seems to like you," Abby commented softly, her voice breaking the silence that enveloped them in the NICU.

Remo looked up at her, his eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. "I hope so," he replied quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "I want to do everything I can to protect her."

Abby reached out to gently squeeze his hand, offering him what little comfort she could in the face of such uncertainty. "You will," she assured him, her voice filled with conviction. "You’re already doing everything you can by being here for her."

After they left the NICU, they went to wait for Stella too, The minutes ticked by agonizingly slowly, each second feeling like an eternity as they waited for news.

Finally, a doctor emerged from the operating room, his expression grave. Remo’s heart sank as he braced himself for the worst.

"The surgery was successful," the doctor said, his voice cutting through the tension like a lifeline. "Stella is stable, but she’s not out of the woods yet. It will be touch and go for the next few hours."

Relief washed over Remo in a wave, and he sagged against Abby, overwhelmed with gratitude. Matteo let out a shaky breath, his shoulders slumping with relief as tears welled in his eyes.

"Can we see her?" Remo asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The doctor nodded, his expression compassionate. "Of course. Follow me."

Together, they made their way to Stella’s room, their hearts heavy with the knowledge of the battle that lay ahead. But as they entered the room and saw Stella lying in the hospital bed, pale and weak but alive, a sense of hope blossomed in their hearts.

Remo took Stella’s hand in his, his grip gentle yet firm. "You’re going to be okay," he whispered, his voice filled with conviction.

Stella managed a weak smile, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered hoarsely.

Remo sighed heavily as Stella’s voice broke through the heavy silence in the hospital room. He turned to look at her, his heart aching at the sight of her lying there, pale and weak but still so strong.

"Where is my baby?" Stella’s voice trembled with concern, her eyes searching Remo’s face for answers.

"Your baby is in the NICU," he replied gently, his voice tinged with sadness. "She’s stable for now, but the doctors are keeping a close eye on her."

Stella’s brow furrowed in concern. "And Matteo?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Remo’s heart clenched at the mention of his brother’s name. "He’s... he’s still in shock," he admitted reluctantly. "He said he can’t bear to see you hurting because of him."

Stella let out a heavy sigh, frustration evident in her voice. "Stupid man," she muttered under her breath, her eyes filling with tears.

Remo reached out to grasp her hand, offering her what little comfort he could. "He’s just scared, Stella," he said softly. "Scared of losing you and the baby."

Stella nodded, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion. "I know," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "But he needs to be here with me, not hiding away somewhere."

Remo squeezed her hand reassuringly, his gaze filled with empathy. "I’ll talk to him," he promised. "I’ll make him understand that you need him here, now more than ever."

Stella managed a weak smile, her gratitude evident in her eyes. "Thank you, Remo," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the hum of the machines surrounding them.