The dimly lit room was eerily quiet, save for Ariana's shallow breaths and the occasional beeping of the machines monitoring her vitals. Her body was drenched in sweat, her face pale as pain consumed her. She clutched the sides of the hospital bed, each contraction tearing through her like a storm. Yet, despite the agony, her thoughts were singular: I have to protect my baby.
Lucas stood at the edge of the room, arms crossed, his expression devoid of any concern. Beside him, Sophia hovered with an air of false concern, her eyes glinting with satisfaction every time Ariana whimpered.
"Lucas," Ariana gasped, her voice hoarse. "Please…just promise me. Promise I'll get to see my baby after…"
Lucas glanced at her, his lip curling in disdain. "Stop wasting your energy on nonsense, Ariana. You should be focusing on delivering the baby, not making demands."
Sophia placed a hand on Lucas's arm, her touch light and calculated. "Lucas, maybe she's just scared," she said sweetly, though her smile was sharp. "This is a difficult time for her."
"Scared?" Lucas sneered. "She's doing this to get attention, as always. Nothing's ever enough for her."
Ariana's tears mixed with the sweat on her face as another contraction ripped through her. "I just…want to hold my baby. Just once," she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.
Lucas turned away, muttering under his breath, "The baby doesn't need you falling apart. It needs strength, not your pathetic theatrics."
Sophia bit back a laugh, her eyes darting to Ariana. "Don't worry, Ariana," she said softly, though her tone dripped with malice. "We'll make sure the baby is cared for."
Ariana felt the words cut deeper than any physical pain. She closed her eyes, blocking out their faces as a silent prayer formed on her lips: Please, keep my baby safe.
Hours passed, the room heavy with tension as Ariana's labor dragged on. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, her strength fading with each passing moment. The doctor and nurses worked tirelessly, but the strain on Ariana's body was evident.
Sophia lingered by the door, her presence a dark cloud. She whispered instructions to the nurses, her bribes ensuring that Ariana's care was secondary to her own plans. Lucas, meanwhile, paced the room, his impatience growing.
"How much longer is this going to take?" he snapped at the doctor.
"Mr. Turner, the labor is complicated due to Mrs. Turner's condition," the doctor replied, his tone strained. "She's extremely weak, and there's significant risk to both her and the baby."
Lucas waved off the concern. "Just get the baby out safely. That's all that matters."
Ariana's eyes fluttered open at his words, her heart sinking. "Lucas…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please don't…"
"Don't what?" he shot back coldly. "This is all for the baby. You've done enough damage already."
Sophia stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Lucas's shoulder. "He's right, Ariana," she said sweetly. "The baby comes first. You should be glad Lucas cares so much."
Ariana clenched her fists, her body trembling as tears slid down her cheeks. The pain of betrayal was sharper than any physical agony. She bit her lip, refusing to let them see her break.
Finally, the cries of a newborn filled the room. For a brief moment, Ariana's heart soared, her exhaustion forgotten. "My baby…" she gasped, reaching out weakly.
The nurse held the baby, a healthy boy with a strong cry, but instead of placing him in Ariana's arms, she hesitated and glanced at Lucas.
"Bring him here," Lucas ordered, extending his arms.
"No…" Ariana whispered, her hand falling to the bed. "Please, just let me hold him. Just once."
Lucas cradled the baby, his expression softening for the first time. But when he turned back to Ariana, the cold indifference returned. "You've done your part. Now rest."
Sophia leaned in, her eyes glinting with triumph. "Don't worry, Ariana. We'll take good care of him."
Ariana's heart shattered. She tried to lift herself, but her body refused to cooperate. Her vision blurred as blood continued to seep, her strength waning rapidly.
As Ariana lay in the hospital bed, slipping in and out of consciousness, the sounds of Lucas and Sophia's conversation reached her ears. They were just outside the room, their voices low but clear.
"She won't survive this," Lucas said bluntly. "And honestly, it's for the best. The baby doesn't need a mother like her."
Sophia chuckled softly. "You're doing the right thing, Lucas. Once she's gone, we can raise the baby together, the way it should be."
Ariana's chest tightened as the weight of their words sunk in. The betrayal was complete. The man she had once loved, the father of her child, had discarded her like she meant nothing. And Sophia…her cousin sister, who had orchestrated her suffering, was reveling in her destruction.
Tears streamed down Ariana's face as a new resolve burned within her. I won't let them win. I won't let them destroy my child's life like they've destroyed mine.
Summoning the last of her strength, she clenched her fists and whispered, "I will come back. I will protect my baby. And I will make you both pay."
The room grew eerily silent as Ariana's whispered vow seemed to echo. Though her body was failing, her spirit refused to yield. Her vision darkened, but her resolve remained unshaken.
As the light faded, a chilling calm settled over the room, leaving behind an unspoken promise: "I will come back and make them all suffer in hell"