Your wife is still under anesthesia
Austin’s heartbeat pounded louder than the sirens. Blue and red lights flashed across his face as he stumbled out of the car, blood soaking through the torn sleeve of his shirt. He did not even feel the pain. All he could see was Dora, her body limp in the passenger seat, and Ronan slumped in the back.
“Step back, sir!” one of the officers shouted, grabbing his arm.
“No! That is my wife! That is my friend! Let me go!” Austin shouted, his voice cracking with panic as he struggled against their grip.
“Sir, you need to calm down and co-operate,” another officer said while tightening his hold.
“I have to help them!” Austin shouted again, his chest heaving, but two more officers were already pushing him to the ground. The gravel scraped against his knees. He did not care.
After several tense minutes, he stopped fighting. The cold metal cuffs bit into his wrists as the officer leaned in.
“You will not be allowed anywhere near the emergency room if you keep this up. We need your help, not your drama.”
Austin's breathing slowed just enough to let them haul him up. He could barely see through the crowd of medics rushing Dora and Ronan inside. Someone tugged him to a bench and started questioning him about his driving. He answered like a robot, repeating details without thought. After confirming the story with another unit, they finally uncuffed him.
An hour passed. He was told that Dora was being taken in for early delivery. His own arm was wrapped in bandages by a doctor who spoke with all the enthusiasm of someone reading a grocery list. Austin did not hear half of it. He stared through the man like he was not even there.
When the doctor finished, he rolled his eyes and left without another word. Austin sat alone in the waiting area, staring at the white wall. His heart felt heavier than his body. Everyone he cared about seemed to end up in a hospital bed. First Sienna, then Ronan, now Dora. Daniel was watching Douglas back at the mansion, probably worried sick.
He gave a short, bitter laugh. What a joke. A doctor appeared in front of him. Her face was tired.
“We need your decision,” she said quietly. “The mother or the baby.”
His heart stopped for a beat. He could not think. He remembered Dora’s voice, the last thing she said before blacking out.
“Save the baby,” she had whispered.
But now… he looked at the floor.
“The mother,” he said at last. His voice was soft, but there was no going back now.
He collapsed into a nearby chair, hands buried in his face. He had just chosen against her final wish. She might never forgive him. She might walk away. She might hate him for the rest of her life. But at least, at least she would be breathing. He needed that. He needed her alive, even if she left him.
He was a failure. He had already lost one child because he misunderstood her. Now he had made a choice that could take the second one away forever. He did not know how long he sat there. At some point, a warm hand rested on his shoulder. He looked up to find Daniel, eyes kind, and a steady smile.
“How did you even find me?” Austin asked, his voice dry and low.
Daniel gave a light chuckle. “Well, your little show made the news on every cop radio in the city. I was still talking to the officer on duty when I heard someone had caused a full-blown scene at the hospital. I knew right away it had to be you.” Austin’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
“I asked where they took the troublemaker,” Daniel added. Then his tone changed. “How are they?”
Austin lifted one shoulder, barely moving. Speaking now would break him, and he was not ready to fall apart again.
“Are you not even going to ask how I found you?” Daniel said, settling beside Austin with a sigh.
One look at Austin's pale face was enough to tell Daniel his friend was holding himself together by a thread. Austin said nothing.
“I paid a nurse to keep an eye on your friend and followed you like a proper detective,” Daniel continued casually, trying to lighten the mood. Finally, a faint chuckle escaped Austin. “Selfish idiot,” he muttered under his breath. Daniel smiled. He knew what Austin was going through. Words were not enough, but his presence could mean something.
“I am sorry,” Austin said after a long silence.
“For what?” Daniel asked softly, noticing the pain building in his friend’s eyes.
“I do not know,” Austin replied honestly, voice low.
Daniel sighed and patted his back. “Some things are just meant to happen. We can never control them.” Austin nodded like a child who wanted to believe.
“It is not over. Things will get better,” Daniel said, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Austin shook his head. “I told them to save Dora instead of the baby,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “She will hate me for it.”
Daniel started to speak, but Austin beat him to it. “I know… what is meant to happen…”
Moments later, a nurse walked in and told them Ronan had been moved to a ward. He was safe. Austin exhaled slowly, thankful, but the fear had not left his chest. Then the door to the operating room opened. His legs felt weak. His chest tightened. He looked toward the doctor, afraid to hear the worst. Daniel placed a hand on his shoulder again.
“We managed to save both mother and child,” the doctor said. “Congratulations, it is a baby boy.”
Daniel stood up in shock. “Wait, mother and son?”
The doctor nodded. “Yes. Your wife is still under anesthesia. We will move her to recovery soon.”
Then he walked away, leaving the two men frozen for a second. Daniel broke the silence with a laugh. “The madman is a dad now.” Austin stared at him.
“I am a father?” he asked, voice rising in surprise. “A son?”
Then he laughed, a real one this time, like a boy who just found out he had wings. He pulled Daniel into a hug, shouting, “I have a son! A prince!”
“Keep it down!” a nurse scolded, but they only laughed more.
Later, Dora was brought to her ward. Austin sat beside her, gently touching her pale cheek, watching her sleep. The door opened again. A nurse came in with a small bundle. Austin held his breath as she came closer.
“Is that…?” he asked.
She nodded and handed him his son. Austin blinked, unsure of how to hold him. What if he did something wrong?
“Do not drop him,” Daniel teased, watching Austin’s hands tremble.
The baby had fair skin and soft brown hair like Dora. When his eyes opened, they were the same shade as Austin’s. But as soon as he saw his father, he began to cry loudly.
“Did I hurt him?” Austin asked in panic.
The nurse sighed. “He just needs his mother,” she said, placing him beside Dora. As soon as the baby touched her side, he calmed down and slowly drifted to sleep. Meanwhile, Dora stirred. Her body felt like lead. Even moving a finger was a struggle. After forcing her eyes open, she quickly shut them again. The light was too much. She tried to raise her hand to block it, but someone was holding it. She turned her head and saw Austin, half-asleep, leaning against her bed, still holding her hand. His face looked worn and tired. She wanted nothing more than to pull him close and rest in his arms. She lifted her hand with effort and ran her fingers through his hair.
What if our baby has this hair? she thought with a small smile. But then her smile faded. Her hand moved down to her belly, and her heart sank.
“My baby…” her voice came out as a weak gasp. Austin shot up, alarmed by her sudden voice. Her eyes met his, full of fear.
“He is safe,” he said quickly, cupping her face. “Look at me. He is fine.”
“He?” she asked, still trying to understand.
“Our son, Dora. He is healthy. He looks like you… but he has my eyes.”
Dora blinked. Her lips trembled. “Where is he?”
“He will be here in a moment.”
“Amayr?” she whispered.
“You can change the name if you want,” Austin said nervously. “I just… I wanted to call him that.”
“No,” she smiled, eyes filled with emotion. “It is perfect.”
Neither of them noticed they were still holding hands, nor did they care. Their eyes sta
yed locked, full of quiet love, finally breathing again.
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