Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT LEO FOUGHT TO LIVE|
Marcus arrived at the hospital to find the maternity team moving quickly around Elena's bed.
Dr. Reed met him in the corridor.
"Her blood pressure has risen again. We believe the stress and her underlying condition have triggered early labor. We need to deliver the baby as safely as possible."
"Will she survive?"
"We're doing everything we can. At thirty-four weeks, many babies do well with neonatal care, but Elena is at significant risk because of the preeclampsia."
Marcus nodded, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Tell me what you need."
"Space. And no family disputes in this corridor."
Marcus immediately instructed security to keep Julian and Eleanor apart. He also contacted the police to ensure that nobody could interfere with the medical team.
Inside the room, Elena gripped the bed rail as another contraction passed.
Patricia held her hand.
"You're doing well. Keep breathing."
"I'm scared," Elena whispered.
"I know."
"What if he never gets to know me?"
Patricia leaned closer.
"He will know you fought for him. And right now, we're fighting with you."
Elena closed her eyes.
She thought of the nursery she had prepared, the tiny blue blankets folded in a drawer, and the name she had chosen before she knew anything about the Thorne family's secrets.
Leo.
She had wanted a child long before she married Julian. She had imagined a quiet home, ordinary mornings, and a husband who would sit beside her during sleepless nights. She had never imagined that an inheritance dispute would turn her pregnancy into a battlefield.
Dr. Reed returned.
"We need to proceed with a cesarean delivery. The safest decision is to deliver now rather than risk further deterioration."
Elena nodded.
"Save my baby."
"We'll care for both of you."
The medical team prepared her for surgery. Marcus waited outside with his hands clasped, while Julian arrived at the far end of the corridor.
Marcus looked at him.
"Your wife is in surgery."
Julian's face crumpled.
"Can I see her?"
"She asked for space."
"I know. I just want her to know I'm here."
Marcus studied him.
"Then stay here. Don't make this about your guilt."
Julian sat down.
For the first time, he did not try to call anyone, issue instructions, or control the situation. He waited.
Minutes passed.
Then an hour.
Finally, Dr. Reed emerged, removing her surgical cap.
"The baby is alive," she said. "He's small, but he's breathing. We're transferring him to the neonatal intensive care unit for support."
Julian stood so quickly that his chair fell backward.
"And Elena?"
"She is stable for now. She lost blood, and we will monitor her closely. The next twenty-four hours are important."
Marcus covered his mouth with one hand.
Julian began to cry.
"Can I see my son?"
"After the neonatal team finishes their initial assessment. You may look through the observation window, but please follow the staff's instructions."
When Julian saw Leo in the incubator, wrapped in a tiny blanket with wires attached to his chest, he pressed his hand against the glass.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."
Marcus stood beside him.
"Your apology belongs to Elena. Your actions will determine whether it means anything."
Julian nodded.
Then a nurse approached with a small plastic bag.
"These were found among Mrs. Thorne's belongings. The hospital security team asked us to preserve them."
Inside was Elena's phone and a folded note.
The note had been slipped beneath her phone case.
May you like
It contained a single sentence:
THE BABY IS SAFE FOR NOW, BUT HIS BIRTH HAS ACTIVATED THE FINAL TRANSFER.
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