Chapter 76- Shadows and Light

I was too distracted by Malios’s words to fully register the pain at first. The intensity went over my head, masked by the swirl of thoughts he had triggered. Did he even realize what he had said? The way he looked at me, the unguarded honesty in his voice—it was like he couldn’t contain himself any longer.

But then, another wave of cramps hit me, like a truckload of bricks crashing into my core. I gasped, clutching my stomach as I struggled to sit up in bed. How could he continue to be my guard if he felt this way? Should I just pretend none of this happened and move on?

I gripped the bedframe, a cry ripping from my throat as sweat trickled down my face. My heart was pounding, the pain sharpening with each passing second. A small part of me couldn’t help feeling a strange sense of flattery—Malios thought of me this way. But maybe it was because he reminded me of Evan. Maybe that was the reason his words had blurred my focus.

Another cramp, stronger than the last, shattered that train of thought, leaving me breathless. My vision dimmed for what felt like a full minute, my head pulsing in sync with my racing heart. This isn’t normal, I finally realized, this can’t be.

“Ahhhhhhhh!” I screamed, gripping the sheets as I collapsed backward. “MALIOS!”

He was there in seconds, bursting through the door, his face paling as he took in my state. “Damn, the bed—”

“Call Damon!” I shouted, my voice raw and desperate, cutting him off.

Before Malios could even respond, Valia rushed in, her phone already in hand. “I’m calling the doctor right now! Don’t worry, you’ll be okay.” She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, but I was too far gone in the pain to feel comforted. If anything, her touch irritated me, intensifying the frustration surging through me.

“Call… Damon… now!” I choked out, clutching my stomach as if it would stop the torment tearing me apart. Each cramp seemed to grow in intensity, pushing me to the edge of consciousness.

“I texted him. He’s on his way,” Valia assured, her voice a faint echo through the haze of agony. “Your water broke… I think you’re in labor.”

“What?” I managed to gasp, but the pain was relentless, drowning out her words and pulling me into darkness.

Crying. Not gentle whimpers, but loud, heart-wrenching wailing.

I groaned, my head throbbing as I drifted in and out of awareness. The sound grated against my eardrums, pulling me painfully from the cocoon of oblivion.

“Make it stop…” I mumbled, my voice barely audible.

“She’s waking up!” I recognized a woman’s voice, though it was muddled as if she were speaking through water. Every part of my body ached, like I’d been torn apart and pieced back together. I blinked, forcing my eyes open only to wince at the blinding light that greeted me. The faint whispers around me sharpened, morphing into distinct voices.

I was lying on my bed, covered in a white silk gown I didn’t recognize. “What… is this?” I murmured, confused.

“It’s mine,” Maria’s face swam into focus. “I brought it for you—I thought you might need it.”

“How are you feeling?” Mason’s voice joined hers, his tone gentle but tinged with worry.

“Where… where’s Damon?” I tried to lift my head, but even that small movement was exhausting. Shadows filled the edges of my vision, but then I felt a warm, steady hand slip into mine, grounding me.

“I’m right here.” Damon’s voice was soft, a balm to my frazzled senses. I turned my head toward him, relief washing over me as our eyes met. And then, cutting through the background noise, came that wailing cry again, raw and urgent.

“Is that… did I…?” My words stumbled out, my mind racing to piece together fragments of memory. Damon’s lips curved into a gentle smile, his expression filling the room with warmth.

“He’s right here.” Damon’s hand guided my gaze to Valia, who stood near the bed, gently rocking a crying baby.

My baby. He was mine. I had done it.

A strange, unexpected wave of anger surged within me, snapping me out of my haze. Why wasn’t I holding him? Or Damon, or even Maria or my father? Why her?

“Why… why is she holding him?” I whispered, each word a struggle. My voice felt weak, but the resentment was sharp and fierce. “Why… why the hell is she holding my baby?”

“What did she say?” Maria’s concerned voice reached me, but my focus was slipping, anger and exhaustion colliding within me.

“She looks exhausted. Maybe she should rest again,” Valia’s voice cut through, her words only fueling the frustration simmering in my chest.

“Look at me.” Damon’s fingers brushed my cheek, gently guiding me to meet his gaze. “Breathe. You did great. You’ll hold him soon—just rest.”

The tears I’d been holding back finally broke free, sliding down my cheeks. Helplessness gnawed at me, twisting the humiliation deeper. And from the corner of the room, I saw Malios, his gaze steady as he watched my quiet unraveling.

“Give him to me,” I demanded weakly, my voice raw and hoarse. “Give me… my baby.”

The doctor stepped forward, his voice cutting into the chaos. “I’ll give her something to help her rest.”

No, I don’t want to sleep! I wanted to scream. I want to hold my baby! But the words tangled in my throat, leaving me voiceless as the doctor’s needle pierced my arm. The sedative seeped through me, cool and inescapable, and my eyelids grew heavier with each passing second. I tried to fight it, to cling to this moment, but the darkness swept over me, pulling me under once more.

When I awoke, the room was quiet, the chaotic blend of voices and emotions replaced by a calm silence. My body still ached, but the sharp edges of pain had dulled. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the soft light filtering through the room.

Damon was beside me, his hand in mine, his gaze warm and steady as he noticed I was awake. And then, a small bundle was placed in my arms. My baby. Tiny, fragile, and perfect.

I looked up at Damon, tears brimming in my eyes, and he smiled, his expression filled with pride and love. Finally, the anger and fear melted away, replaced by a calm joy as I held my son close, my heartbeat steadying in sync with his soft breaths and i soon fell asleep again.