Tangled Temptations

Chapter 215

A jolt of intense shock sent Eloise reeling. Once she recovered, she felt a pain so intense that it seemed to consume her.

The baby stirred within her incessantly, as if sensing the impending danger. Eloise could feel the sensation of her baby dropping. The child was coming prematurely! "Mom!... Vera!" Eloise called out, mustering all the strength she could.

"Eloise!"

Michelle and Vera were both injured to varying degrees, their bodies smeared with blood. Vera had fallen unconscious. Michelle had a deep, 8-inch gash on her leg that wouldn't stop bleeding. Pinned under a heavy plank, she couldn't move. She lay on the ground, helplessly looking at Eloise. Her voice was hoarse as she called out for help, "Anyone... anyone... help save my child!"

But no one heard her pleas. An explosion had hit the entire area. Everyone was trapped and out of contact.

Despair began to consume Eloise. She knew that if she couldn't get to a hospital in time, she wouldn't be able to save her baby.

Her phone, where was it? Despite her excruciating pain, she started to fumble around, hoping to call Harvey, whose flight hadn't taken off yet.

Her phone was five steps away. Those few steps seemed to separate life from death. The pain intensified with every movement. Eloise couldn't stand. She was forced to crawl, supporting herself on her palms, inching towards her phone.

As she descended the steps, the sharp edges grazed her belly, causing immense pain.

Eloise was drenched in sweat, dust clinging to her wet hair and face. She was unrecognizable, but she continued crawling towards her phone. Finally, when she reached it, she was out of breath, turning herself so that the baby was facing upwards.

With her trembling hands, Eloise dialed the emergency number. The first number was Harvey's.

The robotic, dispassionate voice of the automated service answered, "Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off!"

All Eloise could hear was the incessant voice echoing around her.

"Sorry, switched off..."

She hung up mechanically.

to mourn. She wanted to survive, she wanted her baby

was Brett, her uncle. She

in a meeting, oblivious to the

her

paused for a moment. Then he replied, his voice filled with worry, "Eloise, don't panic. Tell me

her mind starting to unravel, whispered, "Explosion... uncle..." Her phone slipped

had happened. He whispered, "There's been a gas explosion in a high-end residential area

for a helicopter to enter the residential area. I

already gone. The Noland family couldn't afford to lose another

eyes red and watery. No one had ever seen him this

in Peterborough, his team had already joined forces with Parker's team to get Eloise to the hospital as quickly as possible. Inside the delivery

months pregnant. The baby was coming prematurely. Given her condition, a C-section was not an option. It had to be a natural birth. The doctors were uncertain about the baby's chances. They warned that even if

birt Eloise would suffer less. Given her injuries, the

doctors' words. Parker, who had been looking for someone to discuss the situation with, agreed with his wife. They wanted to prioritize Eloise's life. They loved the unborn child, but Eloise was alive! They couldn't

situation to Brett, his voice barely above a whisper. Brett's face twitched as he surveyed the room. "Where's Harvey?

in frustration! He wasn't aware of the situation until Denise had

to prioritize. He went straight into

delivery bed, enduring the labor pains. Her clothes were soaked through. She looked as if she'd been pulled out of a

leaning in to touch her face. The familial comfort he offered was something no one else could provide. Tears

contain his emotions, softly relayed the doctors' words

placed her slender fingers on her belly. The child she had carried for seven months, whom she had already named Linda, deserved

She wanted to give birth to

much like Louise. Brett, usually composed, sounded shaky. "I'll be right outside, Eloise. You can

her head, then straightened up and left the room. He was confident that Eloise would bring their child

want anyone else in the delivery room. The person who should have been there with her wasn't. When she