Chapter 1

When my son Eden's fever didn't go down, my husband, Hector Graham, the head of the pediatric department, was seeing patients next door with the rest of his team.

He looked guilty. "It's all my fault for taking Melody and Jason to the amusement park yesterday. What if they caught a cold?"

"I'm a doctor. I can't just ignore them," he said.

I was heavily pregnant and struggling to get around. By the time I got Eden to the hospital, it was already too late.

The doctor looked heartbroken. "If, if you'd just come five minutes earlier, no, even three minutes might've been enough. I could've saved him," he said.

Because of the ordeal, I went into premature labor and lost my second child.

Seven days later, I held the ashes of my two kids, my heart completely shattered.

I knew this marriage had reached its end.

*****

One night, Eden, my two-year-old son, suddenly spiked a high fever and couldn't stop coughing. His pale cheeks turned bright red from the effort.

My heart clenched every time he coughed, but thankfully, my husband was a pediatrician.

"Hector, come out and check on Eden. He's got a fever and won't stop coughing," I called out.

Ever since Eden was born, we'd basically been sleeping in separate rooms.

He said working crazy hours in the pediatric ER meant he hardly ever got a decent night's sleep, so he ended up crashing in the guest room just to catch a break.

I called out again, "Hector?"

With my eight-month pregnant belly, I went in and nudged Hector awake.

Even though he looked annoyed, I didn't care. "Come on, get up and check on Eden. He's burning up and coughing nonstop."

Hector rubbed his temples and sat up. "It's normal for kids to run a fever. Don't make such a fuss."

But just then, his phone rang.

When I saw Melody's name popping up on the screen, I couldn't help but frown.

Melody Reed was Hector's college girlfriend. She had only moved back from out of town a year ago after her divorce.

"Hello?" Hector answered.

The woman on the other end sounded flustered, but I could still hear the playful edge in her voice.

"Hector, Jason's been sneezing and has a runny nose. I think he caught a cold. Could you please come over and check on him?" she asked.

Just seconds ago, Hector was blowing me off, but then he shot up from bed without hesitation.

I sucked in a breath, trying to keep calm, and said, "Hector, Eden's burning up."

He didn't even slow down as he threw on his clothes. "It's all on me for taking Melody and Eden to the amusement park yesterday. What if they got sick because of that?"

"I'm a doctor. I can't just ignore them," he said.

My blood was boiling, but hearing Eden wailing, I grabbed Hector's arm, my voice nearly desperate.

"Even if you have to go, can you at least check on Eden first? Or at least take us to the hospital," I pleaded.

Hector's brows immediately furrowed. "I know you've always been bothered by Melody and Jason. How many times do I have to say it? I'm just helping them out because I feel responsible. Can you stop bringing Eden into this?"

With that, Hector stormed out, not even sparing a glance at Eden, who was crying his heart out.

I froze for a second, then half-ran to the master bedroom, one hand supporting my pregnant belly.

His little body was burning up, skin bright red and hot to the touch.

I didn't dare wait another moment. I bundled Eden up and hurried straight to the hospital.

It was the dead of night, and there was no way to get a ride. We had two cars at home, but the garage was empty then.

Frantic, I pushed Eden out toward the road, half-running, my pregnant belly feeling heavier and heavier with every step.

It was one in the morning, and there wasn't a single cab in sight.

I kept pushing Eden toward the hospital, the streets eerily empty. My tears wouldn't stop, and I felt utterly helpless.

"Shh, Eden, don't cry. Mommy's taking you to the hospital," I whispered, trying to soothe him, my heart aching with every sob.

"Just a little more, Eden. We're almost there, I promise," I said, my voice shaking as I tried to sound reassuring, even though I was barely holding it together myself.

Our home was six miles away from the hospital. There was no way I could make it on foot, not in my condition.

Desperate, clutching Eden in my arms as he wailed, I rushed out into the street where cars only passed by now and then, just praying someone would stop.

Thankfully, after about two minutes, a kind driver pulled over for us.

On the way to the hospital, Eden wouldn't stop crying, his throat making hoarse sounds with every breath.

"Eden, baby, don't cry, okay? We're almost there. Just hang in there for Mommy. Please, be good. Don't cry," I whispered, trying to comfort him, but my voice was shaking with fear.

I was trying to sound calm, but I was so scared that my voice kept trembling.

Eden had always been so well-behaved, almost two and a half, and he'd never thrown a fit like this before.

The driver eased off the gas, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. "Hey, why are you out here all alone, pregnant and with a little one, heading to the hospital? Did you try calling your family? Where's your husband?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but just then, in my arms, Eden's cries started to fade.

"Eden, Eden!" I called out, panic rising in my chest.

I gently shook him, my voice trembling. "Don't scare me like this, Eden."

The driver blew through two red lights to get us to the hospital. Before the car even stopped, he jumped out and carried Eden straight into the ER.

I fought through the pain in my belly, forcing myself forward step by step until I finally made it to the operating room door.

And then I saw that the "In Surgery" light was off.