Chapter 9 - Labor Under Guard
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Two weeks later, at thirty-six weeks pregnant, the immense stress of the ongoing legal battles finally caught up with my body.
I was sitting in my secure apartment reading a medical journal when a sharp, intense contraction seized my abdomen, folding me in half.
I checked my watch. Five minutes later, another one hit.
My water broke ten minutes after that.
I immediately called Sarah, who drove me straight to St. Jude’s Hospital through a blinding evening rainstorm.
The moment we arrived at the labor and delivery unit, my nursing family sprang into action. The head nurse, a formidable woman named Brenda, personally oversaw my admission.
“Room 408 is prepared,” Brenda said, her voice commanding and protective. “We’ve placed two armed hospital security officers at the end of the hallway. No one enters this wing without showing a verified photo ID and passing through our registry.”
“Thank you, Brenda,” I breathed, gasping as another contraction swept through me.
“You took care of our patients for five years, Hannah,” Brenda said, gently squeezing my hand. “It’s our turn to take care of you.”
For the next twelve hours, I endured the intense labor without Corey by my side. But I wasn't alone. Sarah held my left hand, while Elena—who had driven two hours through the rain—held my right.
At three o'clock in the morning, under the soft lights of the delivery room, I gave one final push.
A loud, healthy cry shattered the quiet room.
“It’s a girl!” the doctor announced, holding up a beautiful, perfect baby with dark hair and bright blue eyes.
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They placed her onto my chest. The moment her warm skin touched mine, the terror, pain, and betrayal of the past month vanished completely.
“Hi, Maya,” I whispered, tears spilling over my cheeks as I kissed her soft forehead. “You’re safe now. I promise you, you’re safe.”
