The Empty Womb

The wedding reception drew to a close, the guests slowly filtering out of the grand hall. Heather maintained her composure, bidding farewell to the attendees with a practiced smile. Inside, however, a storm of emotions raged. As soon as the last guest had left, she excused herself and hurried back to her chambers.

Once inside, Heather locked the door behind her and leaned against it, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She had to know for certain. She couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. Her mind raced as she formulated a plan. She needed to see a doctor, but she had to do it discreetly. No one could know.

Heather waited until the palace was quiet, the night settling in with a heavy stillness. Slipping out of her room, she moved through the dimly lit corridors, her footsteps silent on the marble floors. She avoided the guards, taking the lesser-used passages until she reached a side entrance. Glancing around to ensure she wasn't seen, she slipped out into the cool night air.

The town lay just beyond the palace grounds, and Heather moved quickly, her cloak pulled tightly around her. She kept to the shadows, her heart pounding with every step. The painkillers had dulled the physical ache, but the gnawing fear and dread were ever-present.

After what felt like an eternity, she reached the small, discreet clinic on the outskirts of town. The doctor, an older man with a kind face, welcomed her inside, his expression turning serious as he noted her distress.

"What seems to be the problem, Miss?" he asked gently, guiding her to a chair.

Heather's hands shook as she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was... I was pregnant. There was an accident, and I'm bleeding. I need to know if..." Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

The doctor nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "Let's have a look," he said, leading her to an examination room. He performed the examination with practiced efficiency, his face growing more somber as he worked.

When he finally stepped back, he met Heather's gaze with a look of deep sympathy. "I'm very sorry, Miss, but you've lost the baby."

Heather's world shattered. The words echoed in her mind, each one a dagger to her heart. She felt herself spiraling into a dark abyss, panic and despair clawing at her insides.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, this can't be happening."

The doctor placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I know this is hard to hear, but you need to take care of yourself. You've been through a lot. Is there someone I can call for you?"

Heather shook her head vehemently. "No. No one can know about this." Her voice was frantic, her eyes wide with terror. "I have to go."

"Miss, you're not in any condition—" the doctor began, but Heather cut him off.

"I'll be fine," she insisted, pushing herself to her feet. Her legs felt weak, but she forced herself to stand tall. "Thank you for your help, but I have to go."

The doctor looked troubled but nodded. "Take care of yourself, Miss. If you need anything, please come back."

Heather didn't respond. She stumbled out of the clinic, her mind a whirlwind of grief and panic. The night air was cool against her flushed skin, but it did little to soothe her turmoil. She moved through the darkened streets, her steps unsteady as she made her way back to the palace.

Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts. What would Mateo say? How could she face him? Her entire future had been tied to the child she carried, and now it was gone. The weight of her loss pressed down on her, threatening to suffocate her.

By the time she reached the palace, she was trembling, her body and mind exhausted. She slipped back inside, moving like a ghost through the silent halls. Once in her chambers, she collapsed onto the bed, curling into a tight ball as sobs wracked her body.

Heather clung to the sheets, her tears soaking into the fabric. The pain was unbearable, a raw wound that refused to heal. She had lost everything—the baby, her future, her hopes. And she had no idea how she would survive the days to come.

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The wedding reception had ended in a whirlwind of congratulations and well-wishes, and now Lila found herself back in her chambers, surrounded by a flurry of activity as the servants helped her prepare for her first night with Axel. The reality of the situation was sinking in, and she felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness fluttering in her stomach.

"Is everything to your liking, Your Highness?" one of the maids asked, her hands deftly arranging Lila's nightgown on the bed.

"Yes, thank you," Lila replied, her voice a little shaky. She tried to smile reassuringly, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

As the servants bustled around, Lila slipped into the bathroom. The warm water of the shower was a welcome respite, soothing her nerves as she stood under the gentle spray. She closed her eyes, letting the water cascade over her, and took a deep breath. Tonight was a significant moment, and she wanted everything to be perfect.

She couldn't help but feel flustered at the thought of what was to come. Her mind raced with questions and uncertainties. How would it feel? What should she do? She had heard whispers and giggles among the court ladies, but those snippets of information only added to her confusion.

After her shower, Lila dried herself off and slipped into the silky robe laid out for her. She took a moment to look at herself in the mirror, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright with anticipation.

As she stepped back into her room, the servants were finishing their preparations. They had lit candles around the room, casting a warm, intimate glow, and the bed was adorned with rose petals. The scene was set perfectly, but Lila's heart still pounded in her chest.

One of the older maids, sensing Lila's nervousness, approached her with a kind smile. "You look beautiful, Your Highness. Everything is ready. Would you like any more help?"

"No, thank you," Lila said, managing a smile. "You've all done a wonderful job. I just need a moment to gather myself."

The maids nodded and left the room quietly, leaving Lila alone with her thoughts. She paced the room for a few moments, her fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of her robe.

Lila sat in her chambers, her fingers nervously twisting a strand of her hair. The events of the day played in her mind, but they were overshadowed by the anticipation of what was to come. She had been married to Axel, the crown prince of Ezra, for only a few hours, and now the reality of their first night together loomed ahead.

A knock at the door made her jump, her heart racing. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Come in," she called, her voice a bit shaky.

The door opened, and Axel stepped in, his presence filling the room with an air of confidence. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he took in her nervous expression.