**Chapter 6: Fading Light**

The words "miscarriage" and "not viable" echoed in Ashley's mind like a haunting melody, refusing to fade away. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to find a lifeline to cling to. Alev's hand was still wrapped around hers, but even his warmth couldn't penetrate the chill that had settled in her bones. Dr. Patel's gentle voice brought her back to reality. "We'll need to run some more tests to confirm the diagnosis, but I want to prepare you for the possibility that the pregnancy may not be sustainable." Ashley's gaze drifted to the ultrasound screen, where a grainy image of her unborn child flickered. The sound of the baby's heartbeat, which had been a reassuring presence just moments before, now seemed fragile and vulnerable. Alev's eyes met hers, and she saw the same fear and devastation reflected back at her. He squeezed her hand, and Ashley felt a lump form in her throat. She couldn't process the thought of losing the baby. They had planned for this, prepared for it, and had been so excited to meet their little one. The doctor's words continued to swirl around her, but Ashley's mind had already begun to wander to the what-ifs and the maybes. What if they couldn't get pregnant again? What if this was their only chance at parenthood? The questions swirled in her head like a maelstrom, pulling her under. As Dr. Patel explained the next steps, Ashley's thoughts drifted to the nursery they had set up, the onesie and tiny shoes they had bought, and the dreams they had shared about their child's future. It all seemed so fragile now, like a delicate vase teetering on the edge of a precipice. The hospital room began to blur around her, and Ashley felt herself slipping away. She was vaguely aware of Alev's concerned voice, calling her name, but she couldn't respond. The pain in her abdomen seemed to be growing, a dull ache that threatened to consume her. Alev's grip on her hand tightened. "Ash, stay with me," he whispered, his voice trembling. Ashley's eyes fluttered open, and she saw the fear and worry etched on his face. She took a deep breath, trying to anchor herself to the present. "I'm here," she whispered back, her voice barely audible. Dr. Patel's expression softened. "We'll get through this together, okay? We'll do everything we can to support you and Alev." But for Ashley, the light was already fading, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was losing her grip on hope. As the doctor and nurses bustled around her, Ashley felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. She leaned her head against Alev's shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. The beeping of the machines and the murmur of the hospital staff created a cacophony of sounds, but all Ashley could hear was the silence within her, a silence that seemed to be growing louder by the minute. In that moment, Ashley felt like she was standing at the edge of a cliff, staring into the abyss. The ground beneath her seemed to be crumbling, and she couldn't find a handhold to cling to. All she could do was wrap her arms around Alev and hold on, praying that they would make it through this darkness together.