CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

NOLAN POV

An incessant buzzing pulled me from a heavy sleep. I was face down on my bed. My head felt like it was being hit by a jackhammer, and my mouth was as dry as sandpaper. I groaned, reaching blindly in the dark for my phone.

The screen blinded me for a second. It was 3:30 AM. The caller was my daughter, April.

In an instant, I was wide awake. The alcohol in my system seemed to vanish. I swiped the screen and pressed it to my ear.

"April? What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry to call you so early, Dad," she said. Her voice was shaking. "But it's an emergency. It’s Gweneth."

I scrambled to my feet. I started looking for my clothes, only to realize I was still wearing my tuxedo from the night before. I was a mess, but I didn't care.

"What happened?" I asked, stumbling toward the door. My mind was sharp, but my legs were still wobbly. I knew I couldn't drive. I’d have to call a car.

"She’s in the hospital," April cried.

I stopped walking and leaned heavily against the hallway wall. My heart dropped. "What do you mean? What happened to her?"

"I don't have all the details. Her father called me. He said she was bleeding. Oh, Dad... I’m so scared she’s losing the baby."

The world went quiet. Suddenly, I remembered the harsh words I had said to Gwen on her porch earlier that evening. I had been mean. I had seen the pain in her eyes and the way her face turned pale, but I hadn't stopped.

Was this my fault? Did the stress I caused do this to her?

"Mr. Finn—that's Gwen’s dad—he’s a wreck," April continued. "He’s worried about her, but he’s also worried about the hospital. He’s scared they won't give her the right care because of their insurance."

The fog in my brain cleared completely. "What? That’s ridiculous. Which hospital are you at?"

"It’s not the hospital’s fault, Dad. It’s just... they don't have much money. I know I shouldn't ask, but you have influence. Could you help? Could you make sure she gets the best doctors? Maybe help with the bill? I know it’s a lot—"

"Stop," I interrupted. "I’m on my way. You tell the doctors that Gwen gets whatever she needs. Anything. I will pay for every cent. Do you understand? I promise."

"Thank you, Dad," she whispered. "Please hurry."

I fumbled with my phone to order a ride. Minutes later, I was in the back of a car, still wearing my rumpled tuxedo. My hair was a mess and I smelled like a party, but I didn't care. All I could think about was Gwen and the baby.

Her baby.

The roads were empty at that hour. When the car pulled up to the Emergency Room, I jumped out before it even fully stopped. I ran inside to the front desk.

"Gwen Finn," I barked at the nurse. "Where is she?"

"Dad!"

I turned and saw April running toward me. Her eyes were red from crying. She grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the waiting chairs. A man sat there, his head in his hands. He looked broken.

"Is there news?" I asked April.

"Not yet," she said. She led me to the man. "Mr. Finn? This is my father, Nolan Douglas. Dad, this is Samuel Finn."

Samuel looked up. His face was lined with deep sadness. He reached out a shaking hand, and I took it.

"Call me Sam," he said hoarsely.

"I'm Nolan. Tell me exactly what the doctors said."

Sam shook his head. "Nothing yet. I heard her scream in the middle of the night. I found her in the bathroom... There was so much blood. I got her here as fast as I could. They took her back through those doors, and I’ve been sitting here ever since."

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

"I can’t lose her," Sam whispered. "The last time I was in a hospital like this, her mother was dying. Gwen was the one who held us together back then. She’s my whole world. If I lose her... or that little baby..."

I felt a massive wave of guilt. I knew Gwen had grown up fast to take care of her father. She was strong because she had to be. And here I was, the man who had added more weight to her shoulders.

I put a firm hand on Sam’s shoulder. "Listen to me, Sam. That is not going to happen. I am going to make sure she has the best surgeons and the best private room. Whatever it takes, I’m handling it."

Sam looked at me with watery eyes. "I’m a proud man, Nolan. I should be able to protect my daughter. But right now... I’m just a scared father. I won't turn down your help. Thank you."

"Don't thank me," I said.

I wanted to tell him the truth. I wanted to scream that Gwen was mine, and that I was the reason she was in pain. But I looked at his fragile face and kept my mouth shut. I was a coward.

"I’m going to go talk to the administration," I told them. "I'll make sure the money is settled so they can focus on saving her."

April looked up at me and mouthed the words, Thank you.

I nodded and walked toward the nurse’s station. As I walked, I realized something. I had spent so much time being disappointed in April, pushing her to be "successful" and "important." But seeing her here, holding Sam’s hand and being a true friend, I realized she was a much better person than I was.

I had money and power, but I was a jerk. April had a heart.

I spent the next twenty minutes arguing with hospital staff. I gave them my credit cards and signed every form they put in front of me. I made it very clear: Gwen Finn was to receive the best care in the city, or I would buy the whole building just to fire them.

Once the paperwork was done, I walked back to the waiting room. Now, all we could do was wait. I sat down next to Sam and April, staring at the swinging doors, praying for a miracle.