Chapter 12 - THE NIGHT THE BABY ALMOST CAME TOO SOON
At twenty-nine weeks, I experienced severe abdominal pain.
Luca rushed me to the hospital.
Doctors monitored the baby carefully.
For several terrifying hours, I feared I might lose the pregnancy.
Luca sat beside me.
He held my hand.
He didn't leave.
Not for meetings.
Not for phone calls.
Not for the empire.
When the doctor explained that the immediate danger had passed but I needed continued monitoring, Luca closed his eyes.
Then he began crying.
I squeezed his hand.
“Luca.”
He looked at me.
“I thought I was going to lose you.”
I smiled weakly.
“I'm here.”
He kissed my forehead.
“And the baby?”
I placed his hand over my stomach.
A small movement pressed against his palm.
Luca froze.
Then laughed through tears.
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For twelve years, he'd believed he would never become a father.
Now his child was reminding him that life could still surprise him.
