Chapter 10
Next to me, Diana–her hair a tangled mess, her eyes full of venom–stared at me with a twisted smile. She mouthed silently, “You’re the one who needs to watch out.”
Before I could respond, the ambulance burst into the scene, and they rushed me to the hospital in a blur of flashing lights
and chaos.
In the emergency room, I was laid on the cold, sterile operating table, my voice trembling as I begged the doctors, “Please….. Please save my baby!”
Aiden’s voice was a steady anchor in the whirlwind of fear, though I could hear the tension in his words. “Natalia, don’t be scared. I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you or the baby
Soon, the anesthesia took hold, and I slipped into unconsciousness.
When I woke up. I was in a hospital bed, the sterile smell of the room overwhelming. Aiden was sitting by my side, his eyes full of worry, but–steady as ever.
“Aiden…” I whispered, my voice weak, fighting through the haze of pain. “How’s my baby?”
His expression darkened slightly.
1 instinctively touched my belly, the emptiness there feeling like a cold pit in my chest. A wave of panic surged, and I felt my heart race. The tears came without warning, blurring my vision.
I tried to sit up, but Aiden was there in an instant, holding me down gently. “Don’t move,” he said, his voice firm yet tender “You’ve just delivered, you need to rest.”
“Delivered?” My voice cracked, barely a whisper. “What about my baby?”
“The baby was born prematurely and is in the NICU: Aiden explained. “It’s a boy. The specialists are doing everything they can. There’s hope.”
A preemie at twenty–eight weeks. The odds weren’t good. My breath caught in my throat, and I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, tears fell freely, streaking down my face as I lay there, dazed and broken.
“Can I see him?” I whispered, barely able to make the words. “I know I can’t hold him, but… can I just see him? Even from outside?”
Aiden hesitated for a moment, then sighed, his face softening. “Okay, I’ll take you.” He helped me sit up and guided me carefully toward the NICU, my heart pounding with hope and dread.
Clinging to the glass door of the NICU, I stared at the incubator, my chest tightening with an unbearable ache. There, in the sterile light, was my son so small, so fragile. His tiny body was hooked up to countless tubes and wires, his little face contorted in pain, as if he were fighting against the world with every breath.
This wasn’t how I imagined meeting my child. I never thought the first time I’d see him would be like this. He must be in so much pain.
Just then, Jenna had stormed in with Elijah close behind her.
The moment she saw me, she rushed over, grabbing my arm with a vice–like grip, her voice trembling with fury. “You still have the nerve to cry? You couldn’t even protect your own child You’ve completely let me down!”
I bit my lip, feeling her nails dig into my skin. The pain was nothing compared to the sight of my baby, still struggling for life. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him–too scared that if blinked, he’d vanish.
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Chapter 10
So small… so fragile. Each breath felt like it could be his last. I was terrified I might lose him before I even had a chance to
hold him.
Elijah, who had hurried in after Jenna, pulled her away with an exasperated sigh. “Natalia, what happened? How did this- he started, his voice worn thin with stress,
Before I could answer, Aiden stepped in, his voice gentle but firm. “Elijah, Natalia needs rest. It’s not the right time for at discussion. We can talk later
Aiden turned toward me, reaching to help me back to my room but before his hand could touch my arm, a deep voice interrupted. “I’ll take her“,
I looked up, stunned. It was Quinn. He stood there, looking down at me, his face set in a hard, unreadable expression.
Aiden’s hand froze midair, and I blinked in disbelief.
“Quinn?” I whispered, my voice shaking-
“Yeah.” His voice was flat, but there was a steely edge to it. He stepped forward, wrapping a strong arm around my waist, leading me past my adoptive parents without a second glance. “Mr. and Mrs. Hinton, you can go now. I’ll take care of her.”
I didn’t resist. There was something comforting about Quinn’s presence, even if the tension between us hadn’t fully cleared. He guided me back to my hospital bed, gently lowering me down.
“Get some rest. Quinn said curtly, not sparing me a second glance as he turned to leave.
“Are you disappointed?” My voice cracked as I stared at his retreating back, my words barely above a whisper.
Our son was fighting for his life, hanging by a thread. If we lost him, everything Quinn had worked for would fall apart.
He stopped mid–step, but didn’t turn around. “The baby will survive.”
1 clenched my fists, fury bubbling up inside me. Did he really think money could fix everything? Or did he just not care whether our son lived or died?
“What if he doesn’t make it?” I pressed, my voice shaky, filled with bitterness.
“There’s no ‘what if,” he replied, his tone cold and final.
“Even if our son dies, you’d still defend Diana, wouldn’t you?” I let out a hollow, bitter laugh, my throat tight. “Let her get away with everything, unscathed, while I lose everything?”
To Quinn, wasn’t everyone disposable, except Diana?
Suddenly, he whirled around, fury blazing in his eyes. He stormed over to me, stopping just a few inches away, his gaze red and filled with rage. “I said, that won’t happen!” His voice was low, harsh, like a warning.
For a brief moment, I thought I saw something else flicker in his eyes–pain, maybe, or vulnerability–but it was gone in an instant, replaced by that same cold, impenetrable mask.
Quinn stood over me, his frame towering, his jaw tight with frustration. He opened his mouth, like he was about to say something, but then hesitated, thinking better of it,
His brown eyes locked onto mine, steady and unreadable, and after a long, agonizing pause, he finally said, his voice chillingly detached, “If you die, I wouldn’t mind finding our son new mother.”
A cold shiver ran down my spine as he walked away, his words hanging in the air like a heavy fog. My chest tightened, and my heart sank, the weight of despair settling deep inside me.
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Chapter 10
No one–no one-
–
going to take my child from me.
I realized that if I wanted to protect my child, I had to get better and fast.
Π
That evening, when the nurse brought in a tray of nutrient–rich food, I didn’t hesitate. I ate every last bite. I endured every injection, every treatment, no matter how uncomfortable.
Anything it took to get me back on my feet. Over the next few days, I could feel my strength slowly returning.
“You’re recovering well,” Aiden said, flashing a smile after his latest check–up.
“When can I leave the hospital?” I asked.
Aiden placed my medical report on the bedside table, then looked at me with a hint of excitement in his eyes. “You’ll need a few more days under observation,” he said, his smile deepening. But I’ve got some news about your son.”
My heart skipped a beat. “What is it? What happened to him?” I asked, my voice a little too eager, a little too sharp.
“Don’t worry,” Aiden reassured me. “It’s good news. The latest test results show that his vital signs are stabilizing, and his organs are developing properly.”
I barely registered the medical terms. All I cared about was hearing that my son was alive.
1
I could feel a rush of relief flood through me, and before I even realized it, I was practically launching myself out of bed, eager to see him.
My excitement made me clumsy, though. As I slid into my shoes, I lost my balance and nearly toppled over.
Aiden caught me just in time. “Careful!” he said, his arms steadying me, his voice filled with concern.
“I’m fine.” I said with a sheepish smile, finally managing to steady myself. But just as I was about to take another step, a chill prickled down my spine.
I turned instinctively, and my eyes met Quinn’s–his intense gaze boring into me from the doorway. His face was dark, his expression unreadable, like a storm brewing beneath the surface
When had he arrived!
Aiden followed my gaze and noticed Quinn standing there, his presence immediately altering the mood in the room. The moment between Aiden and me had been too close, too easily misinterpreted.
I quickly tried to ease the tension, not wanting to make things awkward for Aiden. “I almost lost my balance just now,” I said, forcing a smile. “Aiden caught me in time.”
As I spoke, I shot a quick glance at Quinn, but his narrowed eyes gave nothing away. His emotions were hidden behind a mask, unreadable..
Tll continue my rounds and check on you later,” Aiden said, offering a polite smile and a brief nod to Quinn before heading
out of the room
Once Aiden was gone, Quinn stayed where he was, rooted to the doorway, his gaze fixed on me.
I wasn’t in the mood to unravel whatever was going on in his head. My mind was consumed with my son’s recovery, and I was desperate to see him again.
Walking up to Quinn, I couldn’t help the joy that slipped into my voice. “Do you want to go see our son together?”
But instead of answering. Quinn’s lips curleil into a cold, almost mocking smirk. “So that’s why you’re in such a rush to divorce me. For him,”
Chapter 10
His words hit me like a slap to the face. I hadn’t just been misunderstood–1 hadn’t even been given a chance to explain myself.
All the frustration, the sleepless nights, the silent tears of the past few days came rushing back. My heart felt heavy, the bitter taste of defeat settling in.
“Fine, since we’re divorcing, then please, Mr. Madden, stay the hell out of my business!” I snapped, brushing past him, heading for the door.
Before I could make it two steps, his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with a grip that was almost too tight. With a forceful push, he slammed me back against the door, his breath hot and ragged against my ear.
“Natalia,” he growled, his voice icy and low, “Don’t push your luck
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