03 – WHO IS THIS MAN?

POV: LAUREN

Before the worst could happen, I felt strong arms quickly pull me away. My body spun, and I landed on something solid. I kept my eyes closed, my body trembling as I tried to process what had just happened.

“Are you okay?” a deep and firm male voice asked near my ear.

I slowly opened my eyes and found a strikingly handsome man in front of me. He had dark hair and intense blue eyes, and his serious gaze seemed to examine every detail of my face. His presence was as commanding as the sense of security he exuded.

“Take your time,” he said, his expression serious as he watched me.

It was only then that I realized I was lying on his firm, muscular chest. My face flushed with embarrassment, and I abruptly stood up, trying to regain my composure.

“I'm sorry… thank you for saving me,” I murmured quickly, but before I could take another step, a wave of intense dizziness overwhelmed me. My legs gave out, my body grew heavy, and my vision began to blur.

I felt his strong arms catch me before I could hit the ground. His now-urgent voice broke through the surrounding chaos:

“Call an ambulance!” he shouted, his concern unmistakable.

Before I lost consciousness completely, I heard him whisper near my ear:

“What an irony of fate to meet again.”

Everything around me was dark until I began to wake up slowly. The rhythmic beeping of machines reached my awareness. My head throbbed, and as I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at a cold, white ceiling. I frowned, confused.

“Where am I?” I murmured, my voice hoarse and my mouth dry. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my arm made me stop. Looking down, I noticed an IV line attached to my vein, causing slight discomfort.

“Am I in the hospital?” I asked softly, trying to piece together what had happened.

The room was silent, and my eyes scanned every corner as memories rushed back like a whirlwind.

“Oh my God, I was almost hit by a car!” I exclaimed, covering my mouth with my hand, my heart racing. The details began to fall into place, and then the memory of a deep, smooth male voice echoed in my mind.

“That man… he saved me. Who was he?” I asked myself, trying to recall more, but everything still felt blurry.

Before I could organize my thoughts, the door to the room opened. A doctor entered, holding a clipboard and adjusting his glasses as he reviewed something. When his eyes met mine, he paused for a moment, surprised.

“Ah, you're awake. That's great,” he said as he walked over to the bed, his surprise quickly replaced with professionalism. “How are you feeling?”

“My head hurts a little,” I replied, my voice weak as I frowned slightly. “There was a man with me. Where is he?”

The doctor adjusted his glasses, maintaining his calm and professional demeanor.

“Yes, a man brought you into the emergency room in his arms. He said you nearly got hit by a car and passed out.” He looked at me closely. “Do you remember what happened? Do you know your name?”

The memories came flooding back. The argument with Ethan, his cruel words, the betrayal that shattered me, and finally, the car speeding toward me. It all felt like a confusing blur yet painfully vivid. My chest tightened, and the monitor beside me began to beep faster, the irregular sounds filling the room.

My eyes began to fill with tears, the weight of everything hitting me all at once.

“I… I remember,” I murmured, fighting against the lump forming in my throat.

The doctor quickly approached, adjusting something on the machine next to the bed and checking the IV.

“Please, try to stay calm,” he urged, his voice more serious now. “Your blood pressure was very high when you arrived, and this could be dangerous for your baby.”

My body tensed, and my gaze locked onto him.

“Baby?” My voice came out as a whisper. “Are you saying… I'm pregnant?”

The doctor nodded affirmatively.

“Yes, and your emotional state can directly impact both your health and the baby's. You need to rest and avoid stressful situations.”

“Lauren Becker,” I answered distractedly, but then froze, my eyes widening as I processed what he had just said. The feeling that I had misunderstood gripped me.

“Can you repeat that? What baby?”

The doctor maintained his serious expression, carefully assessing my reaction.

“Mrs. Becker, you didn’t know you were pregnant?” he asked calmly but firmly. “The tests indicate you are approximately three weeks along.”

My hands instinctively went to my mouth, stifling a gasp of surprise.

“Pregnant? No, I’m infertile,” I exclaimed, still in shock. My voice was trembling, and my disbelief was evident. My heart raced as I tried to process the news. “How is this even possible?”

My mind was racing, flashes of the last time with Ethan appearing amidst the chaos my life had become in recent days. My chest tightened with a mixture of shock, confusion, and fear.

“Calm down, Mrs. Becker,” the doctor said, his voice softer but still firm. “Your emotional state is crucial right now. We need to monitor your health carefully to ensure both you and the baby are safe. But I assure you, you are not infertile.”

I shook my head slightly, trying to focus on his words, but the flood of thoughts wouldn’t let me breathe. Everything had changed in a matter of minutes, and I was about to face a world that seemed to be crumbling around me.

“What would Ethan do if he found out about this pregnancy? Would he try to save the marriage or take this away from me as well?”