Chapter One Hundred & Four

Emma's eyelids fluttered open, the sterile scent of the hospital and the soft beeping of the heart monitor bringing her back to reality. Her gaze roamed over the plain white ceiling, tracing the fissures in the plaster, trying to recall how she had ended up in this sterile hospital room. The subdued lighting cast ethereal shadows on the walls, lending an eerie quality to the space.

Suddenly, it hit her like a relentless tempest, memories crashing over her with full force. Her unborn child. A pang of anguish clenched her chest as the memories flooded her mind. She fought back tears, her throat straining against the knot that threatened to choke her.

The door creaked open, and Emma turned her head to see Tina entering the room. Tina's face was a portrait of concern, her eyes wide and her lips pressed into a thin line, yet she managed to summon a small, reassuring smile as she walked over to Emma's bed.

"I heard about what happened," Tina said, her voice barely above a whisper, reac