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Chapter 18:"Not Yours"

Author: Christine
last update publish date: 2026-05-03 17:07:24

[SFX: NICU. 3:04 AM. MONITORS. STEADY. THEN FOOTSTEPS. HEELS.]

Day 11 in the NICU.

Alexander Knight: 2 lbs 9 oz. 138 BPM. _Fighting_.

Adrian finally slept. Chair pulled to the incubator. Hand inside. One finger on Alex’s chest. Like if he let go, Alex would stop breathing.

I was awake. Always awake at 3 AM. Watching them. Husband. Son. _Mine_.

That’s when I heard her.

[SFX: HEELS. STOPPING. OUTSIDE THE GLASS.]

Valeria.

No designer dress. Hospital scrubs. Psych ward issue. Hair down. No makeup.
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