SARAH

JESS

The rhythmic beeping of the monitor brought me back to reality. That sound-I knew it too well. My heart sank. I'd been here before, more times than I cared to count. The hospital smell, the tightness in my chest, the oppressive weight of worry pressing down on me. Why the hell was I back here?

My body felt heavy, sluggish, as though it wasn't mine anymore. My throat was dry, raw like I'd swallowed sandpaper. I tried to move, but even that was a chore. Blinking, I shifted my hand instinctively to my belly-except it wasn't there.

Panic surged through me. Shit. Something was wrong. .Something happened.

His

Tears rolled down my cheeks before I could stop them, and I bit back a sob. A warm hand brushed them away gently. I turned my head, my vision blurry, and saw Luke sitting beside me. face was pale and drawn, but his eyes-they were steady, grounding me in a way I desperately needed.

"Did I lose her?" My voice cracked as I forced the words out.

Luke shook his head quickly, squeezing my hand. "No, babe. She's healthy and beautiful, and I can't wait for you to hold her."

I stared at him, my mind struggling to catch up. "She is?" My voice was barely above a whisper, but Luke nodded again, his lips twitching into the faintest of smiles.

1200

SARAH

"She is."

faint. I blinked.

Jess, you scared the hell out of me." He paused, exhaling shakily. "The doctors think it might've been from stress,

processed his words slowly,

distress, but they did an emergency C-section. She's in the NICU right now, but she's stable." His voice softened as he added, "Our

they were a mix of

almost hesitant. His face was tired, his clothes wrinkled, but his lips curved into a small smile when he saw me awake. "Laura?" I

eyes softening. "She's stable," he said. "They got the bullet out and stopped the

lips, and I reached out for him.

12.00

quick steps, pulling

as a jolt

keeping a hand on my shoulder. His

whispered,

crooked smile, his eyes glassy. "You're fine, she's

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255