6

NORA’S POV

I pulled away from the wall when I heard footsteps coming towards my room. My heart was beating so fast that I was sure whoever entered would notice something was wrong. I quickly settled back against the pillows, but my hands were still shaking. I couldn't pretend I hadn't heard anything.

The door opened, and Adrian walked in. He looked at me for a moment before closing it behind him. I tried to act as though I hadn't heard their conversation, but I couldn't keep quiet for long. The doctor's words were still ringing in my ears, and I needed an answer.

“Is it true?” I asked, looking straight at him. Adrian frowned. “Is what true?” “Don't do that, Adrian. I heard what Dr. Hallam said. He said the baby might not survive if you take it away from me.” My fingers tightened around the blanket. “Is that what he told you?”

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down. “You shouldn't have been listening to a private conversation,” he said. I stared at him. “You were discussing my baby. How exactly was I supposed to ignore that?”

“Nora, we're still trying to understand what the doctor found,” he replied, rubbing his forehead. “I don't want you getting scared over something we haven't confirmed.” I let out a small laugh. “I'm already scared. I heard enough to know this is serious, so please stop treating me like a child.”

Adrian looked towards the door. “Dr. Hallam will explain everything properly.” “Then call him in,” I said. “I want to hear it from him, and I want you to stay here while he explains.” He held my gaze for a moment before getting up and asking the doctor to return.

Dr. Hallam came back a few minutes later, carrying the same folder I'd heard him mention. He pulled the chair beside my bed and opened it. “I should have explained this to you earlier,” he said. “I wanted to be certain before I raised any alarm.”

“What exactly is happening to my baby?” I asked. Dr. Hallam glanced at Adrian before answering. “The pup has formed a protective bond with your wolf. It's rare, but it can happen. At this stage, the baby seems to recognise your wolf as its source of safety.”

“Does that mean the baby needs me?” I asked, looking down at my stomach. “In a way, yes,” he answered. “The bond is still developing, but it appears to be strong. Separating you immediately after birth could cause the pup serious distress, and we cannot rule out dangerous complications.”

“Could the baby die?” I asked. The doctor paused, and I hated that pause more than anything. “There is a possibility,” he said carefully. “I can't tell you that separation would definitely be fatal, but I also can't promise the baby would survive it.”

I stared at him, trying to take in what he'd said. The contract required me to hand over the baby within twenty-four hours of giving birth. I had signed that agreement knowing I wouldn't be raising the child, but I hadn't imagined the arrangement could put its life at risk.

“The contract says I have to surrender the baby within twenty-four hours,” I said. Adrian nodded. “I know what it says.” “You were the one who insisted on that clause,” I reminded him. “You made sure I understood that I wouldn't be taking my baby home.”

“That agreement was made before we knew about the bond,” Adrian said. “But you still made it,” I replied. “You still expected me to leave, and you never once considered what might happen if the baby needed me.” My voice cracked, and I looked away before either man could notice.

“I will not let anything happen to the baby,” Adrian said. I turned back to him. “Then what happens after the birth? Will you keep me here, or will you take the baby anyway and hope the doctor is wrong?” He opened his mouth, but no answer came.

“Are you still going to follow page nine, even if it puts your child's life at risk?” I asked. Adrian looked down at the floor. Dr. Hallam closed his folder quietly, and the silence in the room made my chest feel tight. I needed an answer, not another promise.

“I don't have an answer yet,” Adrian finally said. I stared at him, hurt by how easily he admitted it. “Your child is the most important thing to you, isn't it? So how can you not know what you're willing to do?”

“Because I won't make a decision based on one conversation,” he replied. “We'll speak to more specialists and find out exactly what this bond means.” I wanted to believe him, but that still didn't tell me whether he planned to change the contract. I had to protect my baby too.

Dr. Hallam left after giving Adrian a few more instructions. Adrian stayed beside my bed, asking if I needed water or anything to eat. I shook my head. I wasn't hungry. I wanted to know whether my baby would be treated like a child, not property.

“My baby isn't just a line in your contract,” I said. Adrian looked at me. “I know that.” “Then stop talking like this is only a problem your doctors can fix. I signed because I needed the money, not because my baby's life didn't matter.”

He didn't argue, and I didn't know whether that made me feel better or worse. When he stepped outside to answer a call, I reached for my phone. Ms. Pryor had told me to contact her if anything changed. I needed her advice before Adrian made another decision.

“Nora, how are you feeling?” Ms. Pryor asked when she answered. I told her about the poisoning, the baby's recovery, and the bond Dr. Hallam had found. Then I explained the separation clause and what the doctor had said could happen if Adrian followed it.

“Don't sign anything or agree to any changes without speaking to me first,” Ms. Pryor warned. “Your contract was written to protect Adrian's interests. This new medical information could affect that clause, but I need the doctor's findings in writing before I can advise you properly.”

“Can he still take the baby from me?” I asked, holding the phone tightly. Ms. Pryor paused. “I need to read the contract and see the medical report. Don't assume you have no say. If the clause puts the baby at risk, we need to look at your options.”

Before I could ask anything else, the door opened. Adrian returned with a folder and another document. “I've arranged a new medical plan,” he said. “You'll stay under Blackthorne protection until the baby is safe.” I looked at the papers, then back at him, still waiting for the answer he had avoided.

“And what happens after the birth?” I asked, watching his face. “The doctors will monitor the bond, and there won't be any separation without medical advice,” he replied. I studied him for a moment. “That's not what I'm asking. Are you changing page nine?” His expression shifted. “I didn't bring you here to watch my child die, Nora.”