Okay, okay, I'm posting a lot of songs. But I have had this one in particular in mind since... since... umm 🤔... the beginning? Hehe 🙃

Feel free to listen (or not) anytime.

Warning: Might contain some sensitive topics, though they are barely brushed upon.

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"You have to perform this surgery," Lu Feng Mian said in a pleading voice.

"But—" Aqui began.

"Please. He could lose his life."

"I have an injury in my right arm, Feng Mian."

He rolled his eyes like his twin Lu Xia. She would have normally joked about it but, she couldn't in that situation.

They were both alone in a private room in the hospital.

King Flavian had been rushed to the hospital after his heart attack. And it had gravitated to the extent that he required surgery—immediately.

"I've seen you perform operations with your left arm only, Aquilina. Only you can handle this kind of surgery."

And it was true. She had been labelled as one of the top surgeons in the world despite her age and hidden identity from normal society.

It's only by God's Grace, she had once said to a magazine which had kept her identity and photo confidential.

But the truth was, it wasn't only her hand that was serving as a hindrance. The greatest blockade of all, was her heart.

She walked into the OR with a heavy heart. She knew she couldn't do it on her own.

When her aides had declared that all was ready for one of the gravest surgeries of all time, Aqui knew she wasn't ready.

She willed her hands to move, to grab a scalpel—anything. But she couldn't. She felt frozen in place.

"Please, wait," she finally said her heart pounding so loud she thought everyone else could hear it.

Her senses were aware of the fact that they all thought it strange she was delaying the procedure. But they did as she instructed.

"Let's pray before we proceed."

And they did.

————

Aquilina felt the cool breeze on her face as she sipped a cup of hot chocolate on her balcony. She felt weary. She had just completed three surgeries without sufficient rest.

The wind caused a few strands of her hair to fly in different directions disrupting her train of thoughts momentarily.

But her mind quickly returned to the issue which was pressing hard at her.

"Will you like to spend the rest of your life with me?" Tarquin had asked her the previous evening.

After accusing her of being the one to drug him, he had surprised her with a visit one evening.

And slowly, they had gotten to know each other, growing close.

It had been four months since the incident... and three and a half months since she discovered she was pregnant. She had managed to keep it from everyone.

The good thing was, she didn't show much. And her already comfy clothes hid her bulge well.

She had also moved away from the place she had shared with Skylar, staying at the Doctor's quarters in the hospital instead.

It was way easier that way. If not, he might have noticed something amiss.

How am I going to hide this for another five months? She wondered.

She didn't want Skylar to find out lest he felt guilty. He was actually a softie at heart.

And Tarquin... Sooner or later, she knew she would have to tell him. He had the right to know about his child.

So lost in thought and weary was she, that she didn't notice the three dark vans passing by on the street.

Nor did she hear the footsteps of the strong men that had cautiously approached her.

"Umph..." she had tried to scream but couldn't as someone pressed a chloroform filled cloth against her mouth.

Then all went black.

.

.

.

"She's coming around," an Italian-sounding accent said as Aqui slowly gained consciousness.

"Is the big man in yet?" Another asked.

Her eyes slowly flickered open. It took a moment for her to notice that she was lying on an operating table.

She tried to talk but couldn't. Her whole body felt numb. Glancing around the room, she saw several men surrounding her.

Some were in surgical gowns, probably doctors. And the others looked strong with weapons—obviously those that had captured her.

"I want everything to be intact before the big man arrives. Are you sure the baby is out?"

Horror filled Aqui at the sound of those words.

"Positive. Not a trace is left."

She tried to shout out, but had no energy. She wanted to cry, but felt no tears.

"My baby..." she finally managed to whisper.

The door to the operating room flew open.

"The big man is here."

Aqui expected a huge macho man. But when she saw the silver-blonde hair, and similar blue eyes not unlike his son, her heart dropped.

"The baby has been taken out, Vostra Altezza(Your Highness)."

"Good," King Flavian responded.

"What do we do with the young lady?"

He stared at her for a long moment.

"Whatever you want."

——————

Her heart hammered in her ears as the surgery proceeded. She still couldn't believe she was operating on this man.

The man who had ruined her. Not only her baby had died that day—but she felt that a part of her had also stopped living.

Tears blurred her vision, and she had to blink to refocus her vision.

She stared at his unconscious being. She could slice his heart into two and hide every evidence of it.

She had the power to. And every fibre of her being leaned toward that direction.

Forgive him also, My child. The Voice whispered to her soul.

She recognised that Voice. It had become her constant Companion. But what He required of her, was well nigh impossible.

Lord, how do I forgive him too? He hurt me badly, and because of him, I have lost every shred of hope and joy. I lost my baby, her heart cried out.

He hurt Me too, My daughter. But there is not a thing which has been destroyed that I cannot replace. I will fight for you.

You always require the hardest, Father.

She thought she could hear a soft chuckle from her Saviour. One filled with such warmth that flooded her heart with peace.

I know that I do. But that is why I also always give the best, came the soft reply.

"Are you okay, Princess?" The nurse asked her.

"I am," she replied with a slight smile. And she was. Once again, the fight had been surrendered.

And her heart was at peace.

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I've got tears in my eyes. GOD bless you all for making it this far.

Not much pictures now... maybe later. Might edit it too...

Much Love (Really),
Phelita 💜