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Ava woke up with a wave of nausea sweeping over her. She pushed herself up in bed, feeling unsteady as the world tilted slightly. She had been feeling off for days now—tired, dizzy, and, more troubling, the pangs of nausea that had been growing more frequent.
Rubbing her forehead, she glanced over at Ethan, who was still fast asleep beside her. A peaceful expression softened his usually guarded face, and a small smile crept onto her lips. In the middle of their chaotic lives, moments like this felt rare and precious. But as another wave of nausea hit, she forced herself out of bed quietly, determined not to disturb him.
After a quick shower, she felt a little better, but the nagging worry about her health lingered. Her symptoms didn't seem to be letting up, and deep down, she sensed something was off. She knew she couldn't ignore it any longer, and with a sigh, she decided to head to the doctor for a check-up.
Once at the hospital, Ava was greeted by a kind nurse who led her to a quiet, sunlit waiting room. Her fingers tapped nervously against the arm of the chair as she waited, her mind racing through every possible outcome. Maybe she was just exhausted from the stress of everything. But as she thought back, she couldn't ignore the other signs—her missed period, her cravings for odd food combinations, and how she'd felt oddly emotional over the smallest things.
Finally, her name was called, and she was led into the examination room. The doctor entered with a friendly smile, quickly noting her symptoms. After a few routine questions, the doctor suggested they run some tests. Ava waited, her heart beating fast, her mind running through possibilities. But the moment the doctor returned with the results, the expression on her face gave Ava pause.
"Well, Ava," the doctor began, a warm smile brightening her features, "Congratulations—you're pregnant."
Ava's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. Pregnant. The word seemed to echo in her mind, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. She glanced down at her stomach, resting her hand there as though she could already feel the new life growing inside her.
"I… I'm pregnant?" she stammered, a mixture of shock and joy flickering across her face.
"Yes," the doctor said with a gentle laugh. "You're in the early stages, but everything looks healthy. You'll need to start prenatal vitamins and schedule regular check-ups, of course, but I don't see any issues. Congratulations again."
Ava felt a rush of emotions well up inside her—joy, surprise, and an overwhelming sense of love. In the midst of the darkness that had shadowed her life, this news felt like a small, brilliant light. She and Ethan were going to be parents. The realization brought a soft, almost surreal smile to her face as she tried to take it all in.
After scheduling her next appointment, Ava left the hospital, her heart still racing with excitement. She couldn't wait to tell Ethan. She could picture his face, the way his eyes would light up with that rare, unguarded joy. She hadn't expected this twist in their lives, but now, it felt like a blessing—one she was already fiercely determined to protect.
Lost in thought, she barely noticed her surroundings as she walked out of the hospital and towards the car. She took out her phone, her fingers already hovering over Ethan's name, ready to call him and share the news. But just as she was about to dial, a strange feeling washed over her, and she froze, glancing around.
A black SUV was idling nearby, its windows tinted darkly. She tried to brush off the unease as just her overactive imagination, but as she moved toward her car, the SUV suddenly lurched forward, stopping right beside her. Before she could react, two men stepped out, their movements quick and deliberate.
Panic seized her, and she instinctively took a step back. "Excuse me," she stammered, trying to keep her voice calm, "Can I help you with something?"
One of the men, tall and burly with a steely expression, simply grabbed her arm, his grip unyielding. Ava struggled, fear gripping her as she realized their intentions.
"Let go of me!" she shouted, her voice shaking, but her protests went unheard. The second man covered her mouth with a cloth, and a sharp, pungent smell filled her senses. She struggled, trying to kick, but the dizziness overcame her, and the world began to fade. The last thing she saw was the blurry shape of the hospital doors and the outline of the men shoving her into the SUV.
When she regained consciousness, Ava found herself in the back of a moving vehicle, her wrists bound tightly behind her. Her heart pounded as she tried to make sense of her surroundings, the reality of her situation settling in like ice in her veins. She glanced around, realizing with dread that she was alone, locked in the back seat with no sign of escape.
Her thoughts raced to Ethan, to the news she hadn't been able to tell him. The life growing inside her was all that mattered now. She had lost a child before she can't afford to lose another .She hadto find a way out—for both of them. She couldn't let whatever plan her captors had come to fruition.
As the car continued to drive, Ava pressed her back against the seat, struggling to loosen the ropes binding her hands. The knots were tight, and every time she pulled, the rope bit into her skin, but she refused to give up. Her mind filled with images of Ethan, the family they would build, the love they shared. She wouldn't let these men or anyone else take that from her.
With each passing minute, her determination grew. She focused on staying calm, forcing herself to assess every detail of her surroundings, hoping for any opportunity to escape.
As the SUV took a sharp turn, Ava glanced out the window, trying to memorize landmarks, anything that might help her if she got away. But the car was speeding down an unfamiliar road, far from the busy streets of the city, surrounded by trees that cast eerie shadows in the fading light.
Finally, the SUV came to a halt. The two men from before opened the back door, their expressions unreadable. Ava braced herself, her gaze fierce, her mind racing with possibilities. She wouldn't go down without a fight.
The taller man leaned in, his voice low and menacing. "Come on. Don't make this harder than it has to be."
Ava glared, her defiance clear. "You have no idea who you're dealing with," she spat, her voice filled with a strength she didn't entirely feel. But she couldn't let them see her fear. Not now.
With one last tug, the men pulled her out of the SUV, her feet hitting the ground roughly. She stumbled but managed to stay upright, refusing to let them see her falter. Her mind raced with thoughts of escape, of finding her way back to Ethan, of keeping her unborn child safe. She knew she would do anything to survive, to protect the life growing inside her.
As the men led her toward an unknown destination, Ava steeled herself, clinging to her inner strength. She was determined to survive, to fight her way back to the life she was building with Ethan. And as she looked ahead, she made a silent vow: whatever it took, she would find her way back.
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