Chapter 12 - The Faint Heartbeat
The mansion’s security team immediately formed a tactical perimeter around the library doors, keeping their weapons trained on the thick oak wood.
In the distance, the loud, wailing sound of approaching police sirens cut through the night air.
A woman emerged from the crowd of hiding guests. She was a prominent obstetrician who had been invited to the gala. She rushed over and dropped to her knees beside Valeria.
"I need to check the baby immediately,"
The doctor said urgently, pulling a small, portable fetal doppler monitor from her designer evening bag.
The entire grand hall fell completely silent. The only sound was the distant sirens and the terrified breathing of the guests.
The doctor squeezed a small amount of gel onto Valeria’s stomach and pressed the monitor against her skin.
Everyone held their breath.
For ten agonizing, terrifying seconds, the machine produced absolutely nothing but a hollow, empty static.
Valeria stopped breathing entirely.
"Why can't we hear him?"
Valeria whimpered, tears of absolute despair spilling down her cheeks.
The doctor adjusted the angle of the monitor, pressing slightly deeper.
Suddenly, a faint, rapid, incredibly beautiful swoosh-swoosh-swoosh sound echoed from the tiny speaker.
It was faint. It was weak. But it was there.
Valeria closed her eyes, sobbing with profound, overwhelming relief.
"He is alive,"
Valeria wept.
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"Your baby is a fighter,"
Elena smiled, squeezing Valeria’s hand tightly.
