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Gabriel did as he was told, holding his daughter close to his heart
The nurses’ expressions said it all
There would be no happy reconciliation
There would be no vision of Julia holding their child
He’d lost her As surely as Dante had lost Beatrice, he’d lost his beloved
“I’ve failed you,” he whispered
Hugging his daughter close to his chest, Gabriel cried
Chapter Eighty-seven
As Gabriel sat, holding Spring Roll, ties flashed before his eyes He saw hi her in thedown the hall to the empty master bedroom
He was so alone
He’d loved one woer to nized that sos were more important than his love for her—her happiness, for exa his hand, whispering, “I don’t regret getting pregnant”
She’d regret it now He’d taken her life
His shoulders shuddered as a sob overtook him
His beautiful, sweet Julianne
He had his cell phone but didn’t feel like talking to anyone From the texts he’d received, he knew that Richard and Rachel would be arriving soon Rebecca was readying the house for the guests and the baby Kelly had texted to say that she’d ordered flowers and balloons, which were on their way to the hospital
He hadn’t had the will to tell thehter, wondering hoas going to parent her alone He’d relied on Julianne for so much And ultimately, it was his selfishness that ended her life
He was lost in his own grief and exhaustion when soain his eyes focused on a pair of very ugly, sturdy shoes
“Professor Enized the voice of Dr Rubio and lifted his head
She looked tired
“I’encies all at once and I couldn’t get away I’ to—”
“Can I see her?” Gabriel interrupted
“Of course But I just need to explain Your wife—”
Gabriel couldn’t hear the doctor’s words He was enveloped in pain All his conversations with Julia about children flooded his mind
This was his fault He’d persuaded her to have a baby and then they’d gotten pregnant before she was ready
He’d done this He’d planted his child inside her, and the act had killed her
He lowered his head despondently
“Professor Emerson”
Dr Rubio cahtly accented voice sounded at his ear She muttered to herself in Spanish, words that Gabriel identified, but dimly
“Can I see her?” he whispered
“Of course” Dr Rubio gestured to the door “I’et you earlier, but the nursing staff was overwhelmed”