Chapter 2:

Heather’s POV 

Pain welcomed me back before my eyes even opened.

It wasn’t sharp like the contractions never left.

It was deeper and heavier, like my body had been torn apart and stitched back together wrong.

A weak groan slipped past my lips as I slowly forced my eyes open.

For a second, everything was blurry.

Then slowly it settled.

The white walls and dim lighting.

Everywhere was very quiet.

I frowned slightly, my mind still foggy.. until memories came hitting hard..

It felt like I was relieving the whole thing anew.

My heart jerked violently in my chest.

I shot upright.

Pain exploded through my body instantly, forcing a sharp gasp out of me, but I didn’t care.

I looked around.

The room indeed was empty, no nurse, no Adrian, no Vivianne and most importantly no baby.

Panic rose fast, choking.

“Where is he…?” I whispered, my voice trembling.

My eyes dropped to my hand.

A cannula was still attached, a clear fluid dripping steadily into my veins.

My stomach twisted.

What were they pumping into me?

“No…” I muttered.

Without thinking, I grabbed it and yanked it out.

“Ah..!” I winced as pain shot up my arm, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t hesitate.

I couldn’t.

I swung my legs off the bed and tried to sit up fully.

Big mistake.

The pain doubled instantly, crashing into me so hard my vision blurred.

I froze, breathing hard, waiting for it to pass.

“Just… just a second…” I whispered to myself.

I couldn’t lie back down, my baby was out there all alone.. with God knows who...

I forced my feet into the slippers beside the bed and pushed myself up.

My legs wobbled slightly.

For a second, I thought I might fall.

But I held onto the bed frame, steadying myself.

“I have to go… I need to see my child!” I murmured.

Step by step, slowly, carefully yet painful, I made my way to the door, using the wall for support as I stepped out into the hallway.

Nurses, patients and visitors walked past normally..

Everything looked normal but nothing felt normal.

I leaned against the wall, moving slowly until I spotted the elevator. Each step felt like a punishment, but I kept going.

I had heard them mention the nursery.

It should be on the fourth floor.

I pressed the button with a shaky hand and stepped inside when the doors opened.

The ride up was just a floor up but it somehow managed to feel endless.

My reflection stared back at me from the metal walls.. pale, weak, barely holding together.

But my eyes…

My eyes were wide awake now.

The doors opened with a soft ding.

I dragged myself out, my body screaming in protest, and immediately spotted the sign.

Nursery → Left.

I followed it, gripping the wall tightly as I moved.

Almost there.. Just a little more.

But as I turned the corner.. I stopped.

Adrian.

He stood in front of the glass, his fingers intertwined with Vivianne’s.

My breath evened out as relief flooded me instantly.

Of course they were.

Where else would they be? Adrian must have fixed the confusion from earlier.

I almost took a step forward to reveal myself but then I heard his voice.

“Babe… I can’t believe our son is here.”

I froze.

Everything inside me stilled.

Babe? Our… son?

My brows furrowed slightly, confusion creeping in.

I leaned forward just a little, enough to see them clearly.

Vivianne was pressed against him now, her head resting lightly on his chest. His hand sat comfortably on her shoulder.

Like it belonged there.

My heart dropped.

“Look at his eyes…” Vivianne said softly. “He’s got my eyes. As cute as his mother.”

They both laughed.

And something inside me… twisted.

No.

That wasn’t..

That didn’t make sense.

My chest tightened painfully as the nurse’s voice echoed in my head.

“Inform Mr. and Mrs. Cole their baby boy has arrived.”

My breathing grew uneven. Then Adrian spoke again.

“But Viv… What about Heather?”

The moment my name surfaced, my heart sank.

I held my breath.

Waiting.

Praying.

“What about her?” Vivianne said lightly. “She already gave us our son. She’s useless now..”

A pause.

Then..

“We should just get rid of her.”

Everything shattered completely. My knees almost buckled under me.

Get rid of her?

Get rid of me?

Why?

What were they talking about?

What is happening?

My mind spun wildly, trying to make sense of it, but nothing fit. Nothing connected.

I took a shaky step back..

“Excuse me, ma’am.”

I jumped.

My heart slammed violently against my ribs as I turned to see a nurse standing behind me.

Busted!

For a second, I couldn’t breathe.

Did they hear that?

“Ma’am, what are you doing here?” the nurse asked, frowning slightly. “You’re not supposed to be up here without permission.”

I just stared at her, blank and frozen..

My thoughts raced.

“Ma’am?”

Before I could respond…

“Heather?”

My blood ran cold.

Slowly… painfully slowly… I turned.

Vivianne stood there.

A smile on her lips, but her eyes..

Her eyes were cold.

Adrian stood behind her, tall and unreadable.

My throat went dry as fear crept into every corner of my body.

I could run, perhaps push past them, grab my son and run..

But I wouldn’t make it.

Not like this.

Not in this state.

So I did the only thing I could.

I smiled.

“Hey… baby…” I said softly, forcing my voice to sound normal as I walked toward Adrian and slipped my arm through his.

My body felt stiff. Wrong. But I held on.

“I wanted to see our baby,” I added, looking up at him.

For a second…

Just one second..

They both stared at me like they were searching and measuring, trying to figure something out.

I kept smiling.

Looking from Adrian… to Vivianne… like nothing had happened.

Like I hadn’t just heard everything.

Vivianne was the first to move.

“You should be resting, my dearest sister-in-law,” she said sweetly.

Then she turned to the nurse.

“She's fine with us nurse.”

The nurse nodded and walked past us toward the nursery.

Adrian finally spoke, his tone gentle.

“Yes, baby… let’s get you back to bed. Our son will be brought to you once he’s cleared.”

I wanted to argue.

God, I wanted to.

I wanted to push past them, run into that nursery, grab my baby and never let go.

But I couldn’t.

Not yet.

Not like this.

So I swallowed it.

Forced a bigger smile.

“Okay… if you say so.”

Vivianne stepped forward and took my hand.

Her grip tightened slightly as she pulled me away from Adrian.

I winced without meaning to.

“Oh, see?” she said lightly. “You shouldn’t be walking around yet.”

She guided me into the elevator.

Adrian joined us.

The ride down was suffocating.

I could feel the tension radiating amidst the silent fake smiles..

The doors opened one floor down, and they led me back to my room.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

The moment we entered, Vivianne let go of my hand.

I walked ahead, limping slightly as I made my way toward the bed..

Then her voice cut through the air.

“So…” she said.

I stopped and turned to see a smile plastered on her face.

“How much did you hear?”

I froze..

Everything inside me went still.