Chapter 3: A miscarriage
"What ails her?" Quinn asked as he observed the doctor's troubled expression while he tended to Belle.
He hadn't intended to raise his voice at her, but her questioning had stirred his anger. If she was this weak, why bother seeking his audience only to make him furious?
"Your Grace..." The doctor knelt before him, closing his eyes and pressing his fists to his thighs. The doctor's palms had turned sweaty and he feared losing his life.
"I just asked what is wrong," Quinn demanded, growing impatient with the doctor's peculiar behavior. Why was everyone keen on frustrating him tonight?
"The Duchess has... suffered a miscarriage. I could not save the child. I am deeply sorry, Your Grace," the doctor confessed, bowing in remorse.
"She was with child?" Quinn's gaze drifted to Belle, who was lying unconscious on the bed. Different thoughts spiraled in his mind but he knew it was useless to utter any of them and decided to just leave. How come she never told him about the child until now? Was her hatred for him so ambiguous that she never wrote him a letter about her being pregnant?
"Did she not inform you?" The doctor asked, surprised. Since the first time he confirmed her pregnancy, he advised her to inform the Duke so the mistress of the mansion would stop mistreating her.
"See to her well-being," was all Quinn said before leaving the room, his face devoid of any hint of concern. Since she never wanted him to know about their child, then he would remain indifferent till the end.
Once he had gone, Mia rushed to Belle's side, her face lined with worry.
"What shall we do?" Mia asked, already aware of the tragic news from overhearing the conversation.
"Do your utmost to keep her from stress over the coming week. She is very fragile, and we must avoid further complications," the doctor advised, gathering his belongings to depart.