No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

The baby was premature, arrived at just seven and a half months.

Almost translucent, lying there in the incubator, it was heart-wrenchingly fragile at first glance.

Fanny couldn't be sure if the little one would make it; it all depended on some kind of miracle now. Haley's attempt to jump off a building ended in failure, but the baby ended up suffering because of it.

Haley herself wasn't in good shape either. A ruptured uterus led to a heavy bleed and the eventual removal of her womb.

It was a miracle she survived.

As for her future, I couldn't bring myself to care anymore.

But I felt bad for the baby, devoid of a biological father, not recognized by the elderly Martins, and it was uncertain if Haley could ever love him.

If she did love this child, she wouldn't have put herself through so much turmoil.

When Ernest came to pick me up from the hospital, his face was stone-cold. Fanny nudged me with her shoulder, "Your man's not happy."

I could see that too.

"Mixing up with Conrad like this would upset anyone," Fanny reminded me.

I wanted to explain, but Ernest was already in front of me.

at me,

to drop the temperature

we've been together, he's never shown me this side

events could have ended differently, and I might not have been

to him. "I'm okay,

his hand, "I promise I won't get involved

Fanny coughed lightly and

"Mr. Collins, your

that frown.

didn't hug me but asked

I guarantee it on my reputation as Dr. Willis." Fanny really was like a sister to me. Ernest stared at Fanny for a moment before turning

replied cheekily and hugged

and in

feeling - a mix of vulnerability, relief, and a

you two," Fanny

back, "There's something you

I, still in each other's arms, looked at her. She had her hands in

will you do?" I

shrugged. "I'll be here, as

two