Already Broken

I woke up to the sound of soft beeping. The air smelled like antiseptic, and the lights above me were just too bright. My body felt very heavy and my head pounded like a drum. Everything felt slow, like I was underwater.

I blinked a few times, trying to make sense of where I was. White walls. Machines. A thin hospital blanket over me. I was in a hospital.

Panic hit me like a wave. It was like everything came rushing back to me at that moment. Everything that happened.

My hand flew quickly to my stomach. The baby. Was the baby okay?

But before I could sit up, a small hand grabbed mine. "Hey, hey, easy, Jess. You just woke up. Your baby is fine" Someone said. It was Tee. Her face was the first thing I saw clearly, her eyes bright with relief.

"Tee... what happened?" I asked. My voice was weak, barely above a whisper. I don't know what's going on.

She squeezed my hand. "You fainted. Scared the hell out of everyone. But the doctor said it was stress. You need to rest, Jess." She said calmly.

My heart pounded heavily. The last thing I remembered was the party and Ray’s voice. His pain. I clearly remember that. The look in my parents’ eyes too. Then... nothing. Was that all? I can't remember anything else. Not even how I ended up here.

Tears burned my eyes. "Tee... everyone knows now, don’t they?" I asked, not because I didn't know the answer. I was just hoping. Hoping for some kind of miracle. Something to wipe away everything that unfolded.

She didn’t answer right away. Her face turned serious, but she tried to smile. "Yeah... they do. But listen, it’s okay. Everyone’s just worried about you and the baby." She said.

"No one’s pressuring you to talk. At least not yet." She added.

I turned my head to the side, staring at the wall. "They must hate me Tee." I said. I know they do. I coudn't stand myself, I don't see why they would.

"No!" Tee said quickly. "They don’t. They’re just... they don’t know what to say. But they love you, Jess. You know they do" she said nervously.

A knock on the door made me flinch. My mother stepped in first, followed by my father. They were quiet and careful, like I was made of glass. My father stood back while my mother came closer, her eyes searching my face.

"Jessica," she said softly. "How are you feeling?" She asked.

I swallowed hard. "Tired." I said. I couldn't say more.

She nodded, her eyes wet. "That’s okay. You rest, sweetheart. We just wanted to see you."

My father didn’t stay silent this time. He gave me a small nod, then added with a teasing smile, "I was going to bring you a giant 'Get Well Soon' balloon, but your mom said no. Something about it being too much." He laughed. Dad always has a way of lighting up the mood. Tee definitely got it from him.

I let out a small chuckle, and Mom sighed, shaking her head. "She’s resting, not throwing a party." She said.

"A balloon wouldn’t hurt," he muttered, winking at me. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

A few minutes later, more people came in, Jared, Don’s parents. They all smiled, spoke in gentle voices, asked if I needed anything. But I could feel it. The tension. The questions they weren’t asking. The words they were holding back.

Through it all, Tee kept the mood light. "You have no idea how cool I’m going to be as an aunt," she grinned. "Like, I’m getting matching outfits for me and the baby. It’s gonna be great." She went on and on. making me laugh. "You’re crazy."

"Crazy about my little niece or nephew, that’s for sure," she winked. "Wait, I definitely want a niece not a nephew. I want a cute little girl. She'd look just like me" Tee continued.

The doctor came in soon after. He checked my vitals, then smiled kindly. "You're doing better but we need to st keep you for one more night, Jessica. Just to make sure you and the baby are okay. You’ve been under a lot of stress. Your body needs to rest. A repeat of this and I can't guarantee that everything will be okay." He said.

I nodded numbly. Stress. Yeah. That was one way to put it.

Then the door opened again. I felt chills creeping over me.

I didn’t need to turn my head to know who it was. I felt it before I saw him. It was like a sudden awareness coming over me.

Don.

The moment I looked at him, something inside me snapped.

"Get out." I shouted, my voice was sharp and louder than I expected. Everyone in the room froze.

Don took a step closer. "Jess, please..... I"

"I said get out!" I cut through his words, my breath came fast. My hands clenched the blanket. I couldn't think straight. "You did this. You ruined everything!" I screamed. Going hysterical this time.

His face fell. "Jess, I..."

"No! You don’t get to talk. You don’t get to act like you care now" My voice cracked. Tears ran down my face, hot and unstoppable. "I told you to give me time but what did you do?

You stood there and let it happen. You just let everything fall apart. I hate you Don. Just go,"

Don looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t.

“I think it’s best if you step out,” the doctor said. “She needs rest and right now, your presence isn’t helping.” he added but Don just stood there, his face full of something....guilt? Pain? I didn’t care.

"Jess, calm down," Tee whispered, rubbing my back, but I couldn’t. I was too angry, too hurt. Too broken. I've bee trying to keep it in.

Don swallowed hard. "I’m sorry, Jess."

I laughed bitterly. "Yeah. You keep saying that. But sorry doesn’t fix this."

The room was silent. Everyone was watching, but no one spoke. Even the air felt heavy.

Don hesitated for a moment, his jaw tightening like he wanted to argue. But he didn’t. With one last look at me, he turned and walked out.

As soon as he was gone, the weight in my chest felt heavier, not lighter. I broke down completely, sobbing into my hands. Tee held me, whispering soft words I barely heard.

But nothing she said could fix the ache in my heart.

Nothing could fix what was already broken.

Do you think Jess was fair in lashing out at Don, or did he deserve it?

Let me know what you think.