Chapter 3 Desperate Measures

As Racheal lay unconscious on the kitchen floor, Chloe's panic transformed into urgent action. She grabbed her phone with trembling hands and dialed the number for a local doctor.

"Dr. Harper? This is Chloe Wright. My friend, Racheal-she's collapsed. Please, we need help right away!" Her voice was a desperate rush, her heart pounding as she awaited the response.

Within minutes, the doorbell rang. Chloe hurried to answer, admitting Dr. Harper, a calm and experienced physician. He quickly assessed Racheal's condition, checking her pulse and examining her vital signs with practiced efficiency.

"Chloe, can you give me a moment alone with Racheal?" Dr. Harper asked, his voice steady and reassuring.

Chloe nodded, stepping aside but remaining close enough to hear. The doctor's face was set in a serious expression as he worked, occasionally glancing at his medical bag and then back at Racheal.

After a thorough examination, Dr. Harper stood up, looking concerned. "Racheal's vital signs are stable now, but she's under a lot of stress. I need to speak with her husband about her condition and the stress she's been under. It's crucial for her well-being."

Chloe's eyes widened. "Her husband? Victor is... he's not around anymore. He left her."

Dr. Harper looked puzzled, then reconsidered. "I see. Well, I'll need to speak with someone close to her-maybe a family member or someone who can provide more context about her situation. It's important to address the stressors affecting her health."

As Chloe absorbed the doctor's words, Racheal began to stir, her eyes fluttering open. She slowly became aware of her surroundings, her gaze focusing on Chloe and the unfamiliar face of Dr. Harper.

"What... happened?" Racheal mumbled, her voice weak.

"You collapsed, Racheal," Chloe explained gently. "Dr. Harper is here to help."

Racheal's confusion cleared as she saw the concern etched on Chloe's face. "Victor," she whispered. "Did he-"

"No, Victor isn't here," Chloe said firmly. "But we'll get you the help you need. Dr. Harper, do you think there's a way to help her through this without...?"

Dr. Harper nodded. "We'll start with what we can do here and ensure she's stable. If there's anyone else who can provide support or insight into her situation, it would be helpful."

After Dr Harper finished his examination and gave Racheal a serious look. "There are several tests that need to be carried out, and they require a significant amount of money.

When you're ready, you can come to the office to get the tests started. Take care of yourself, Miss. Have a good day."

With that, Dr. Harper packed his medical bag and left. Chloe watched him go, her mind racing with concern for her friend.

Racheal, still disoriented but determined, pushed herself up from the floor. She looked at Chloe with a mix of desperation and resolve. "This is the call to get Victor back.

I need to go to the apartment and tell him what the doctor said. Maybe he'll come back if he knows how serious this is."

Chloe stared at her, disbelief etched on her face. "Racheal, are you kidding me? Victor's left you. He's with Evelyn now. You can't just waltz back into his life and expect him to magically return."

Chloe's frustration erupted as she paced the kitchen, her voice sharp. "Racheal, are you out of your mind? You seriously think that going back to Victor is going to fix anything?

He's moved on, and you're still here, wallowing in this pit of despair. Are you fucking stupid! Get over it! "

Racheal looked up, her face pale and tear-streaked. "Chloe, I just- I need to try. The doctor said the father needs to be involved. I can't just sit here and do nothing."

"Try?" Chloe snapped, her hands on her hips. "Try what? Getting your heart broken again? You've been through hell already, and now you want to walk back into the fire?"

"I know it sounds crazy," Racheal said, her voice trembling. "But if there's even a chance that Victor could come back, I have to take it. I can't just sit here and wait for things to get worse."

Chloe's face reddened with frustration. "You're not thinking clearly, Racheal! This isn't just about you anymore. You have a baby to think about. Do you really want to put yourself through more pain and risk your health for someone who clearly doesn't care?"

"I'm not doing this for me," Racheal said firmly. "I'm doing this for my baby. The doctor said the father needs to be involved for tests, and I need to make sure everything's alright."

Chloe threw her hands up in exasperation. "For tests? Is that what you're focusing on right now? The fact that you're trying to drag Victor back into your life, only to be potentially hurt again, is insane! What if he rejects you outright? What if he refuses to help with the baby?"

"I have to try!" Racheal insisted, her eyes pleading. "I can't just let him get away with everything. I need him to know what's at stake."

Chloe's anger was palpable as she breathed harder, her voice rising.

"You're going to lose yourself trying to fight for someone who's already made his choice. What happens when he turns you away? You'll be right back where you started, only now you'll be even more broken! Use your brains Racheal! Stop being a desperate bitch! There are lots of dicks out there! Forget about him, girl!"

Racheal's face was a mask of determination mixed with anguish. "I don't know what else to do. I feel like if I don't try, I'll never be able to forgive myself. I need to know that I did everything I could for our child."

Chloe's shoulders slumped, her anger giving way to deep concern. "Racheal, you're not thinking clearly. You need help! You're thinking like a fucking lunatic!This isn't just about getting Victor back. It's about your well-being and your baby's future. You're a mess right now, and the last thing you need is to add more emotional turmoil."

"I can't just give up," Racheal said, her voice breaking. "I can't let him think he can just walk away and not have any consequences."

Chloe took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

"Okay, fine. If you're set on doing this, at least promise me you'll be careful. Don't go in there with expectations that he'll magically come back or that everything will be okay. You need to protect yourself.

But I promise you if you come here crying and hurt I'll tell you I told you so."

Racheal nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I will. I just need to know that I tried. I can't move on without knowing that I did everything possible."

Chloe's face softened, though her frustration lingered. "Alright. But you need to be prepared for the possibility that this could end badly. Don't let your hope blind you to the reality of the situation."

Racheal swallowed hard, her gaze resolute. "I understand. I just... I need to do this. I can't move forward without trying."

"Let me go get my bag upstairs and put on some makeup. I need to look really good for him," Racheal said, her voice laced with a flicker of excitement as she hurriedly wiped her tears and dashed up the stairs, nearly stumbling on her way.

"Careful!" Chloe shouted, her concern evident as she watched Racheal's reckless ascent. Her mind was racing, trying to keep up with the whirlwind of emotions and decisions Racheal was making. "Slow down!"

Chloe paced around the kitchen, her frustration palpable. What had happened to her friend? This wasn't the Racheal she knew-this was someone caught in a delusional fantasy.

Chloe shook her head, trying to make sense of the situation. "What on earth is going on with her?" she muttered to herself. "Who goes back to their vomit like this? Didn't she recall the number of nights she cried? She's acting like she's in some twisted fairytale."

Chloe took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Okay, Chloe, think. She's clearly not thinking straight. You need to be there for her, even if she's not making the best choices right now."

She grabbed her phone and dialed a number, hoping to get some perspective. "Hey, Emily? It's Chloe. I need to talk to you about Racheal. She's really lost it this time. Can you come over?"

As she waited for Emily's response, Chloe glanced at the staircase, her mind a whirlwind of concern and helplessness. She knew she couldn't let Racheal face this situation alone, especially not in the state she was in.

Chloe shook her head in disbelief, her frustration boiling over. "This woman is really gone," she muttered under her breath.

The situation was beyond frustrating; it was heartbreaking. Her friend, who had always been so strong, was now lost in a fantasy world where returning to Victor seemed like a feasible solution.