Chapter 2

As soon as Sadie stepped out of Hawthorne Manor, a sudden cramp seized her lower abdomen, and she felt a warm liquid trickle down her thighs.

She looked down and saw a vivid streak of blood.

This was the baby she had fought so hard for, the one she had managed to keep after all those rounds of IVF. She couldn't let it slip away then.

Just then, a familiar car pulled up in front of her, and out stepped Stephen, who was supposed to be halfway across the world.

Sadie was about to speak when Stephen suddenly seized her wrist.

His voice was urgent and harsh. "Hurry up and come with me to the hospital to save Jessica."

He dragged her forward, showing zero compassion, and stuffed her straight into the car.

Her lower abdomen slammed into the seatback, and the sharp pain made Sadie cry out. The bleeding got worse.

Stephen didn't notice. Without waiting for her to buckle up, he slammed on the gas, and the car shot out.

Sadie was jerked forward by the sudden force, then tumbled back into her seat, looking totally battered.

She was in so much pain she couldn't cry out. Her thighs were already drenched in bright red blood.

When they arrived at the hospital, Stephen practically dragged Sadie out of the car and stormed toward the operating room in a frenzy. "Sadie is here. Prep the OR, stat.

"Hurry up. If anything happens to Jessica or the baby, none of you is getting off easy."

The man who used to be gentle with Sadie was now nothing but anger and impatience.

The medical staff rushed out, and when they saw Sadie's skirt soaked in blood, they gasped, "Dr. Brooks, you're bleeding."

Only then did Stephen notice, and for a moment, the worry in his eyes seemed genuine. "Sadie, what's wrong?"

As Sadie was about to say something, a piercing scream of pain echoed from the delivery room.

The OR door flew open, and a nurse rushed out, her face pale with panic. "The baby might not make it."

Stephen's face drained of color. He seized Sadie's wrist, his voice trembling with urgency. "Sadie, you're the miracle worker. If anyone can save Jessica and the baby, it's you."

With that, he dragged her toward the operating room.

"Let go of me." Sadie's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she fought him with everything she had. "Stephen, are you seriously blind? Can't you see I'm bleeding, too?"

Stephen stared at the blood soaking Sadie's thighs, his lips moved as if he wanted to speak, but he couldn't find the words.

At that moment, a gut-wrenching scream echoed from the operating room. "Stephen, please, save our baby."

Stephen gripped Sadie's hand and forcefully pushed her toward the operating room, desperation written all over his face. "Sadie, it's some bleeding. It's not a big deal. You're not dying.

"But Jessica got in a car accident at the airport, and she's pregnant. If you don't help right now, they're both as good as dead."

Sadie had never seen Stephen beg anyone like this before, and it shattered her heart in ways she never imagined. "Stephen, I'm pre..."

"Sadie," Stephen snapped, cutting her off with a furious roar, his eyes blazing red with anger. "You're a doctor. There's a patient fighting for her life in there.

"Are you really going to let her die? Don't test me, Sadie. If you refuse to help, I swear I can have you locked up for this."

Sadie's pupils contracted, her eyes narrowing in disbelief at what she heard.

Did he seriously threaten to send her to jail?

Stephen realized he'd lost control and hurriedly apologized, his voice shaky. "I'm sorry, Sadie. But if you don't help Jessica right now..."

Sadie slapped him hard across the face, her eyes blazing with rage. "Get lost, Stephen. I won't save them."

She stormed off, clutching her aching belly, fighting through the pain as she left.

She had barely taken a single step when Stephen grabbed her and yanked her right back.

This time, he didn't say a word. He shoved her straight into the operating room, shooting a cold glare at the medical staff.

"If Sadie doesn't do this surgery today and anything happens to Jessica and her baby, you can all kiss your careers in Brookveil goodbye," Stephen threatened.

The staff hurried over, grabbed Sadie, and hauled her straight into the operating room.

"We're going to make Dr. Brooks save the baby," someone said.

Sadie was forced to scrub in and step up to the operating table.

Agonizing waves of pain tore through her lower abdomen. Sadie could feel her baby slipping away. Yet she had no choice but to swallow the pain and force herself to operate on Jessica and her child.

"Dr. Brooks, focus. If anything happens to her, we'll all go down with her," a nurse barked, giving Sadie a rough shove.

Sadie was already on the verge of collapse, and the push sent her staggering sideways, her lower back crashing into a piece of equipment. Blood kept soaking through, and her hands were shaking so badly she could barely hold onto the scalpel.

"Dr. Brooks, what are you standing there for? Get moving. Our careers and lives are in your hands," the nurse barked.

Sadie could only grit her teeth, push through the pain, and keep operating.

Finally, after three grueling hours, the surgery was a success.

Sadie was completely spent, barely able to stand.

She walked out of the operating room and saw Stephen waiting anxiously at the door. She let out a bitter, mocking smile. "Jessica and her baby are safe. But our baby..."

"Family member for Jessica?" a nurse called out.

"I am," Stephen answered.

Before Sadie told her their baby was gone, Stephen hurried over, anxiety written all over his face as he followed the gurney, escorting Jessica into the ward.

Sadie forced back her tears. She grabbed the wall, trying to leave. But as soon as she took one step, her vision went black, and she collapsed to the ground, passing out.