Chapter 12

Ivy's POV

Blood.

It soaked through my clothes, warm and terrifying, spreading faster than my mind could process.

“No… no…”

My voice came out in broken whispers as my hands trembled violently, pressing against my stomach like I could somehow hold everything together.

The pain hit again.

It tore through my lower abdomen, forcing a cry out of me as I doubled over.

“My baby… please…”

Tears blurred my vision, falling endlessly as panic swallowed me whole. My legs gave way beneath me, and I collapsed onto the floor beside the bed, my body shaking uncontrollably.

I couldn’t think, or even breathe properly.

All I could feel was fear.

Cold, suffocating fear.

Another wave of pain crashed into me, worse than the last, and I screamed, my fingers clawing weakly at the floor.

“I can’t lose you… I can’t…”

The room spun violently, the walls closing in on me as darkness threatened to pull me under.

Then a loud knock.

“Ivy!”

The sound barely registered at first.

“Ivy, open the door!”

Maria.

The name flickered through my fading thoughts.

“I… here…” I managed, my voice barely audible.

The door burst open.

And then she entered.

“Oh my God.”

Maria’s voice broke as she rushed toward me, her footsteps quick and uneven.

“Ivy! What happened?!”

“I don’t know…” I cried, my voice shaking uncontrollably. “It just started… it won’t stop…”

Her hands gripped my shoulders, steady but urgent.

“Okay, okay… don’t panic,” she said quickly, though her own voice trembled. “We need to get you to the hospital. Right now.”

“I’m scared…” I whispered, clutching her arm tightly. “Maria, I’m so scared…”

Her eyes softened for just a second before determination replaced the fear.

“Look at me,” she said firmly.

I forced my gaze up.

“You’re not losing this baby,” she said, her voice stronger now. “Do you hear me? You’re not.”

I nodded weakly, though my body refused to believe it.

“Can you stand?” she asked.

“I… I don’t know…”

“We have to try.”

She helped me up carefully, wrapping one arm around my waist and holding me tightly as most of my weight leaned against her.

Every step hurts.

Every movement felt like something inside me was breaking.

“Stay with me, Ivy,” she kept saying. “Don’t close your eyes.”

“I’m here…” I whispered, though everything felt distant.

We stumbled out of the room, down the hallway, and into the night. The cool air hit my face, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me.

“Ivy, stay awake,” Maria urged, waving frantically for a taxi.

A car finally stopped.

“Hospital!” she shouted.

The driver didn’t ask questions.

Thank God.

The ride was a blur.

My head fell against the seat, my body too weak to hold itself up anymore.

“Talk to me,” Maria said urgently, holding my face gently. “Ivy, talk to me.”

“My baby…” I whispered, tears slipping down silently now. “Please… I just want my baby…”

“You’re going to be fine,” she said, though her voice cracked slightly. “We’re almost there.”

Almost.

The word felt so far away.

Everything moved too fast once we arrived. Different hands, different voices, and different movements.

“Pregnant patient… heavy bleeding…”

“Get her in… now!”

“Vitals! check her vitals…”

I was placed on a stretcher, the bright hospital lights blinding as they wheeled me down a hallway.

“Ivy!” Maria’s voice followed. “I’m right here!”

But I couldn’t focus on her, or focus on anything. Everything felt like it was slipping away.

“Please…” I whispered weakly. “Save my baby…”

Darkness and silence. It was distant at first.

“…bleeding has slowed…”

“…she’s lucky…”

“…monitor closely…”

Lucky?

Thank God.

When I finally opened my eyes, everything felt heavy. My body, my head, even my breathing. The ceiling above me came into focus slowly.

White. I'm in a hospital.

Again.

A soft pressure wrapped around my hand.

“Ivy?”

Maria.

I turned my head slightly.

She sat beside me, her eyes red, her grip tight like she was afraid to let go.

“You’re awake,” she said, relief flooding her voice.

My lips parted slightly. “My… baby…”

Her eyes softened instantly. “You’re still pregnant,” she said quickly. “They were able to stop the bleeding.”

For a second, I didn’t react.

Then it hit me.

A sob broke out of my chest. “Thank God…” I cried, tears spilling freely. “Thank God…”

I held my stomach gently, like I needed to feel it, to reassure myself it was real.

Still alive.

“They said it was close,” Maria continued softly. “You need to be very careful now, Ivy. Very, very careful.”

I nodded weakly.

“I will…”

There was no other option.

Silence settled for a moment, broken only by the faint sounds of machines around me.

Then Maria spoke again. “You scared me,” she admitted quietly.

“I’m sorry…,” I whispered.

She let out a small, shaky laugh.

“You need help,” she said. “You can’t keep doing this alone.”

“I don’t have anyone,” I said softly.

Maria squeezed my hand. “You have me.”

My chest tightened.

“And…?” she added gently.

My mind flickered.

Zayn.

My fingers twitched slightly. “I…” I hesitated.

“You what?” Maria asked.

I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, my gaze drifted toward the small table beside the bed.

My bag sat there.

And inside it was his card.

“Call me whenever you need anything.” His voice echoed in my mind.

I swallowed hard.

Should I?

He had already done so much.

My hand moved slowly, pulling the bag closer. Maria watched silently. I reached inside. My fingers brushed against the card.

I paused.

My heart started racing. What if he didn’t answer? What if I was bothering him?

“Ivy,” Maria said softly. “Call him.”

I looked at her.

“He said you could, didn’t he?”

I nodded slowly.

“Then call.”

My fingers tightened around the card.

Slowly… carefully… I pulled it out.

The name stared back at me.

Zayn Kane.

Even his name felt… powerful.

I took a shaky breath and reached for my phone. My hands trembled as I dialed the number. Each ring felt louder than the last.

Once… My heart pounded. Twice… I almost hung up. Three… The call connected.

And then, his calm deep voice came up.

“Hello….”