Chapter 1

Chapter One

Ava’s POV

Pain tore through my body, sharp and relentless. I clutched my belly, beads of sweat rolling down my forehead as another contraction hit. My breaths came in ragged gasps, my entire body trembling.

I reached toward the nightstand, where my phone lay just out of reach. My fingers stretched desperately, but the pain was too much for me to bear.

"Mommy?"

A small, frightened voice called out, and I turned my head to see my daughter, Lily, standing in the doorway. Her big brown eyes were wide with worry as she rushed toward me.

"Baby… get the phone," I managed to gasp.

Lily wasted no time. She grabbed the phone and placed it in my unsteady hands. My fingers trembled as I unlocked the screen and dialed the one person who should have been here—Richard my husband.

The phone rang a few times before he answered.

"What?" His tone was cold, impatient.

A sharp stab of pain shot through my body, but I forced myself to speak. "Richard… I’m in labor. Please come home. Please come home now."

He sighed loudly, as if I were an inconvenience. "I’m at work, Ava. I’m busy."

Tears stung my eyes. "Richard, I’m in pain. I need you—"

"Take a taxi to the hospital," he snapped. "I don’t have time for this please. Like I say I'm busy."

I opened my mouth to argue, but then I heard it.

A woman’s voice. Soft laughter.

My breath caught in my throat, my grip tightening on the phone. "Richard, who—"

Before I could finish my words The line went dead.

I stared at the screen in disbelief, my heart pounding.

"Mommy?" Lily tugged at my dress, her little face full of concern. "Is Daddy coming?"

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "I don’t know yet, sweetheart."

Another wave of pain wracked my body, and I knew I couldn’t wait any longer.

"Lily, put on your shoes. We have to go to the hospital ok. Mummy needs to get there fast."

She hurried to slip on her sneakers while I wrapped a shawl over my shoulders. With great difficulty, I forced myself to my feet, gripping the wall for support. Every movement sent agony shooting through me, but I didn’t stop.

As I got Outside, I waved down a taxi.

A kind-looking older man pulled up, his concerned eyes meeting mine as he helped me inside.

"Hospital," I breathed out faster.

Lily climbed in beside me, clutching my hand. "Mommy, is the baby coming now?"

I nodded weakly. "Yes, sweetheart. Very soon."

The drive was slow, each second stretching unbearably. My contractions were getting closer together, my vision hazy from the pain. I just needed to make it to the hospital.

Then—everything changed.

Bright headlights coming towards our way. The screech of tires.

A deafening crash.

My world went black.

---

A steady beeping pulled me back to consciousness.

I blinked against the harsh hospital lights, my body feeling heavy, numb.

For a moment, I dared to hope. Maybe I had made it in time. Maybe everything was okay. Maybe my baby was born.

I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my abdomen forced me back down. A nurse appeared beside me, adjusting the IV drip.

"You should rest," she said gently. “You need to lay down and rest.”

Panic gripped my chest. "My daughter," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "Where is Lily?"

The nurse hesitated for a moment without a reply. I watch as the silence is given to me without any reply to what I ask.

I reached down, my trembling hands pressing against my stomach. It was flat. Empty.

My breath hitched. "My baby?" My voice barely came out.

I stared at the nurse as I tried to ask but The nurse turned away.

Tears blurred my vision. No. No, no, no.

The door opened, and a doctor stepped in. His expression was grim.

"Mrs…" He spoke with softness that sent chills down my spine.

"Where is my daughter?" I demanded, my voice shaking.

Silence.

A scream built in my throat. "Where is Lily?!"

The doctor took a deep breath as he stared down at me. "I'm so sorry."

The world tilted around me.

No.

I tore the blanket off me and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My body protested, pain shooting through my limbs, but I didn’t care.

"Mrs. please—"

I ignored the nurse’s pleas as I stumbled into the hallway.

I moved from room to room, pushing open doors, searching. I had to find her. I had to find my daughter.

Then I saw it.

A room at the end of the hallway. The door was slightly ajar.

I stepped inside, my breath caught in my throat.

A white sheet covered a small body on the hospital bed.

My heart pounded so hard it hurt. My hands trembled as I reached forward.

Slowly, carefully, I pulled the sheet back.

And then—I saw her.

Lily.

Her tiny face was peaceful, her little fingers curled slightly, as if she were just sleeping.

A sob tore through my chest. My knees buckled, and I collapsed beside the bed.

With shaking hands, I reached out, cupping her cold, lifeless cheek. "No," I whispered, my voice breaking. "No, no, no, my baby."

Tears streamed down my face as I touched her soft hair, willing her to wake up.

"Lily, baby, please," I sobbed, cradling her in my arms. She didn’t move. She didn’t breathe.

This wasn’t real. This couldn’t be real.

A strangled scream escaped my lips as I rocked her gently, whispering her name over and over.

The door opened behind me, but I barely noticed. A pair of strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me away.

"Let go of me!" I thrashed against the doctor’s grip, refusing to release Lily. "She’s not gone! She’s not—"

My cries turned to gut-wrenching sobs.

I clung to my daughter, hoping, praying that this was just a nightmare.

But no matter how many times I called her name, she never answered.

Lily was gone.