Page 78 of Wanted

“Those are just measures. It doesn’t mean there’ll be an emergency. My father’s just being precautious,” I said. I hated referring to Aram as my father, but in public, I had to.

“Look, I came all the way from Germany. I purchased a refurbished home, and I’d appreciate it if it didn’t flood or turn into a ruin…”

“You can file a complaint,” I suggested. “Our government will take care of your concerns. I’m sorry, but I have to go now.”

Distracted by the new neighbor, I was late. I had to rush to my car. The Wraith sat hidden away in the garage. The poor thing hadn’t been taken out in a while. Everything I needed could either be delivered, or it was only a walk away.

To my surprise, Mandy was already inside the car when I reached the garage. She knew where I stashed the keys, and she let herself in. Her face was still sunken and pale. I could see that the lack of eating was translating to a loss of weight. It fucking hurt to have her like this.

We didn’t speak on our way to the Queen I hospital. I parked in the spot that I had bought for myself after Mandy’s extended hospitalization. She jumped out of the car as if the air inside of it was poisonous. I stared at her for a little too long, and she rolled her eyes at me. Then I led the way inside.

Some nurses greeted Mandy, and she gave them halfhearted smiles, acting as if she was on a speedy lane to recovery.

The Department of Gynecology was inside the east wing that was being expanded. I asked the reception about my brother’s whereabouts. The nurse led us to the room for the ultrasound, unenthusiastically, I might add.

“You came!” Valentina yelled the moment we stepped through the doorframe. She opened her arms wide, propelling Mandy to give her a hug. Aris and I watched their exchange. “We had to pull some strings to get the two of you in here. I’m so excited to finally know the gender.”

“I’m so happy for you,” Mandy told her friend. Her voice was dry. Valentina whispered something to Mandy, but only they could hear it.

Mandy and I took a seat next to the doctor’s desk while Aris stood next to the table that Valentina would be examined on. The doctor didn’t let us wait for long. Aris shook the doctor’s hand. She was one of the women that I had seen coming in and out of Mandy’s room at some point during her hospitalization. They were all interconnected here.

The procedure was quite speedy, cold gel, a probe. Valentina’s hand gripped Aris’. I watched my brother take deep breaths. He was more nervous than I had ever seen him before.

I wanted to reach out to Mandy, but she sat there, trying to ignore me to the best of her ability.

“Why is the heartbeat so fast?” Valentina asked, and I detected a side of her that she rarely allowed me to witness. Worry coated her voice. We were all mesmerized by the black and white image on the screen.

The doctor explained that it was nothing to worry about. That it was actually the normal beats per minute. She rubbed the probe around on Valentina’s gel-coated lower belly. She explained what we were seeing, all the anatomy that could be detected at this stage.

Mandy kept her hands clasped in front of her face with her elbows on her thighs. Her eyes were wide as she glanced at Valentina and the screen.

As the doctor performed digital measurements of the baby, Aris commented, “It’s moving so much.”

The little creature didn’t stay in one spot. I sighed. “I wish Kamila was here.”

Aris nodded. Mandy lowered her head, avoiding to show her reaction.

The measurements were unproblematic. We waited for the gender reveal, for the little one didn’t feel like cooperating with us. It kept moving around without showing the doctor what she wanted to see.

“We’ve got it,” the doctor revealed. Valentina squeezed my brother’s hand. Both of them gazed at this screen like it was the last thing they’d see in this world. “It’s a girl.”

Valentina gasped, but her eyes gleamed. Aris froze. I leaned back on my seat, exhaling. Mandy and the doctor congratulated the happy couple. Aris stood up, letting his wife’s hand go. He rushed out of the room. Valentina’s gaze followed her husband, but she couldn’t leave the room in her state. Mandy approached Valentina, taking Aris’s seat. She whispered comforting words to her, making the pregnant woman smile weakly.

I followed my brother outside.

I found him pacing around the hallway, muttering curses under his breath. I told him, “That’s not a very good look, brother. Come back inside. You can’t leave these two alone in there.”

Aris swallowed visibly. Fidgeting with the cuffs of his shirt, he turned away from me.

“This is my punishment, Weston.”

“What do you mean? You’re expecting a healthy baby girl.”

“I’m going to pay for every single thing I put her mother through. Or any other woman for that matter.”

“Stop this karma deep dive and go back inside.” I stepped closer to him, and I reached out to touch his shoulder. I was trying to keep a straight face, but I knew that he had a point. Raising a girl in Katantia… That was a challenge, to say the least. We’d seen it with Kamila. I felt pressure in the back of my head. She should be here for this. She would have loved to be around for this happy occasion.

“Fuck…”