Becoming The Billionaire's Desire

Just how...do people die?

“Time of death”

The doctor stopped and wiped his eyebrow peering at the clock with one eye still trained at the monitor…for some reason, we expected miracles.

“February 19th, 12:01 am,”.

And then…that was how I died…February 19th…

~~~

Those few moments before death; when you see your whole life flash before you. The achievements, the regrets, the things you would have done better, things you would have changed within your capacity, a lot of changes you would have caused…perhaps just like they always say – Death is not the worst thing that can happen to someone…Not being able to impact the world before you die is the greatest regret ever.

And here was I…a 23-year-old model;

The girl who had everything – the looks, the body, the handsome husband, the rich husband, the perfect career and an almost perfect baby…an almost…

I felt my body being lifted as they transferred me from the Ambulance into an already waiting stretcher at the entrance of the hospital “Mrs Carter stay with us,” someone tapped me lightly on the chin. It was so difficult to keep my eyes open with the lights so bright.

“Stay with me, darling,” that sounded like Sebastian’s voice.

Hearing those words spurred something maternal in me, I wanted to seat up and hug him tight. I wanted to be with my husband “I am here,” I muttered in my heart willing my mouth to speak the words

“How’s vital?” the doctor met us at the reception of the hospital, as I was transported to the ER.

“Pulse, heartbeat is strong but we’re not picking any from the child in her womb,” The paramedic replied.

“How many months gone is she?” the doctor turned to Sebastian who was racing alongside the stretcher.

“She’s 7 months gone going to 8 in a few days,” I heard Sebastian say.

“Alright sir, but I am afraid you need to stop here,” the doctor stopped Sebastian from entering the ER.

“Please, take care of my wife. Please, she’s all I have,” he sobbed.

“We’ll do our best, Mr Carter. I need you to remain positive.

That was the last time…I saw him.

~~~

“Mr Carter,” a doctor finally reappeared after what seemed like an eternity.

“How is Amy? How is my baby?” He gripped the doctor’s hand.

“I’ve got bad news for you, sir,” the doctor sighed “We need to operate as soon as possible. We couldn’t pick the baby’s heartbeat and from our scans, we noticed that there is a prolapsed umbilical cord,”.

“What does that even mean?” Sebastian’s dark gaze fell on the doctor.

“When there’s a prolapsed umbilical cord, it disrupts the baby’s oxygen supply. So, we need to operate and save both the life of the mother and the baby,”.

“But the baby is not due yet?” Sebastian’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Yes, that is why we need to carry out an emergency C-Section on her right now. This is the only life-saving measure for the mother and the baby. We need you to help make the right decision,”.

Sebastian furrowed his brows in confusion and gazed sternly at the doctor, his fear was obvious and written all over his face “What are the chances?” he asked.

“Well, there are fewer risks which can be avoided and since we have experts working on the team, I can assure you Mr Carter that in the next 45 minutes, we’ll be done,”.

Sebastian looked at the doctor strangely “I wasn’t talking about the process but it’s a good thing you told me. I was talking about my wife. What are the chances for her and the baby?”.

“Well, your wife will be fine as soon as the operation is carried out, and her blood pressure is lowered. As for the baby, we wouldn’t really know for now. I told you, we couldn’t pick a heartbeat but I and the team are staying positive and will administer the necessary treatments where necessary. After its birth, the baby will be incubated of course, since it’s premature. So, Mr Carter,” the doctor paused “What will it be?” he asked.

“Go for the emergency Caesarean,” Sebastian dropped onto the reception chair massaging his temple.

“Alright,” the doctor nodded “we’ll start the process now,” he turned and left.

Almost at the door of the ER, Sebastian called the attention of the doctor again.

“Yes Mr Carter,” the doctor turned.

“Please, take care of my wife,” gone was the stiffness and the hardness that emanated from Sebastian when he first arrived. His voice was almost low and inaudible. His eyes had gone from hard to soft in seconds, a tear slipped out from them; this was the face of a man whose wife meant everything to him “She’s the only thing I’ve got in this world, please,” another tear rolled down his cheek.

The doctor merely nodded and tried to keep a straight face as he quickened his pace and entered the ER. Still shocked by the emotional display of Mr Carter, America's Billionaire. 

“So, guys,” the doctor called the attention of the medical team as soon as he entered “We’re going to be operating on Mrs Carter here with the main aim of saving her life and that of the baby. Out there,” he pointed towards the door “Is a man who by the snap of his finger rules and controls America. This same man, minutes ago begged me solemnly to save his wife and we’re going to do that. You know why?” he paced the room, looking at every face present there.

“Tell us, doctor,” a voice spurred him.

“First, because we’re professionals in this field. We sacrificed time, money, relationship and all the finer things of life to be able to save lives. So, that is why we are going to make sure that everyone comes out alive. Then, for the sake of that man outside there, whose love for his wife is overwhelming,”.

The rest of the medical team cheered in agreement.

“You?” The doctor pointed to one of the nurses “Prepare the anaesthesia. You,” he pointed to another nurse “Get Mrs Carter prepped for the surgery. Get her washed and shaved if needed and prepare an IV with a dose of ceftriaxone and sulbactam. While she’s at it,” the doctor motioned at another nurse “Prepare a labour epidural dosed up to C-section level. C’mon let’s move it people” the doctor clapped his hands urging them “We’ve got lives to save,”.

And that was…the beginning of my sorrow.

***

Sebastian’s POV

“Seb,” My mom called out to me “You’ve got to take things easy. If you continue pacing the floor like this, the entire building will collapse. You’ve got to put yourself together and remain positive,”.

“If there’s anything I know about my daughter,” that was Amy’s mom “It’s the fact that she’s a fierce fighter and I’m sure that she’ll pull through,”.

“Easier for y’all to say, the doctor told me they would be done in 45 minutes and this is almost morning and still no word from the doctor. How can I rest easy?”.

“Everything will be fine son,” My dad stood up from his sitting position and came towards me tapping my back.

“Where is she? I came as soon as I saw the message” Emily suddenly appeared looking like a circus. I had sent her a text informing her of Amy's situation. She made a beeline towards me.

“She’s at the surgery room,” I responded slowly trying to hide the tears at the back of my throat. It was so frustrating for me to just stand here, doing nothing.

I am SEBASTIAN CARTER but here I was waiting tirelessly for a team of humans who I am not sure are competent enough – with my wife’s life at stake.

Emily nodded and for the first time, she recognized where she was and walked politely to the host of family and friends sitting at the reception. I could hear her greeting them.

“How long have they been in there for? C-section really should not take too much time,” she came back to where I was leaning against the wall.

“For more than an hour now,” I peered at my wristwatch hating the way my voice shook.

Emily sensing the hesitation in my voice and the way it shook, came closer and held my left hand squeezing gently “She’ll be fine,” she whispered.

~~~February 19th, 12:10am~~~

The doctor I had spoken to when I first arrived emerged from the surgery room and started towards me. His countenance was enough conviction that things didn’t go as planned or perhaps I was just overreacting or reading too much meaning into what is not even in existence.

“About time,” Emily sighed beside me her hand was still holding mine firmly.

“Doctor, that took so long,” I tried not to glare at him.

“Yeah,” he sounded tired “Things didn’t turn out the way we had presumed it would. There were complications but thankfully, things worked out,” he tried to smile.

“How is my wife?” I watched him closely and for the first time since we started speaking, I noticed beads of perspiration on his forehead. He was tensed.

“Mrs Carter is fine. They are cleaning her up and soon, you’ll be able to see her,”.

My eyes darted to his hands and noticed he was fidgeting. Why wasn’t he talking about the baby? In films; the baby was always the first information.

“And the baby?” I asked quietly “Is it in the incubator?” I inquired.

Doctors had the most difficult job on earth…How do you tell a loved one a piece of sad news? Sometimes, I wonder if they are being taught all these things in medical school. The doctor’s lips moved for a while but I couldn’t hear what he was saying.

I noticed everyone coming towards me with sadness written all over their faces. Emily had a hand clasped tightly over her mouth while her eyes moistened. I felt my dad’s hand drape on my shoulder squeezing gently. Amy’s mother stood far from the group; her hands were clasped on her chest.

“What did you say?” I raised my brows at the doctor urging my brain to concentrate.

“I am sorry, Mr Carter,” the doctor lowered his gaze “We tried all we good to save the baby, but she was already dead before the operation. I am sorry,”.

Suddenly, my heart’s palpitations increased and I felt dizzy. The baby kicked yesterday when I placed my head on Amy’s stomach. How is it even possible?

“Son?” I heard my dad calling my name from afar.

The room was spinning fast as if we were on a joyride. I felt dizzy too; perhaps if I close my eyes and open them then things would be different.

Just before I hit the ground; then I remembered that the doctor had said it was a ‘She’. I and Amy had placed a bet and I had insisted that the baby was going to be a girl. 

For a man who has never fainted before, it was quite dramatic for me…

That was the last thing I thought before I gave into the yielding darkness…