Chapter 3 - The First Cry
The blinding lights of the operating room forced Valeria to squeeze her eyes shut. The anesthesia numbed her lower body, but it could not numb her terror. Surgeons moved with urgent precision around her.
"We have to get the baby out now," the lead obstetrician commanded. "The placenta is partially abrupted from the impact of the fall."
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Minutes felt like hours. Valeria prayed silently, bargaining with any higher power that would listen. Then, a sharp, piercing sound cut through the sterile hum of the machines. It was a cry. A strong, furious, beautiful cry.
"It's a boy," the nurse announced, bringing the crying infant over to Valeria's face for a brief, magical second. "He's a fighter, Mrs. Valeria. He is perfectly healthy." Tears of pure relief streamed down Valeria's cheeks before exhaustion finally pulled her into unconsciousness.
