Olivia's POV
I screamed in agony, pain traveling like shockwaves through out my body. I tightly grabbed the sheets at the sides of the bed. My breath came in sharp gasps, sweat dripping down my temples.
"Push!" The doctor urged, his words mixing with the unpleasant sound from the beeping monitors and hurried footsteps.
I gritted my teeth and gave it everything I had, yelling out a throat damaging groan. But still, nothing. I leaned back against the pillows, my chest heaving up and down, tears streaming down my face.
Hours passed—hours of relentless contractions and futile pushing.
"I see the head," the doctor yelled, "Now, push with all your strength," he ordered.
I closed my eyes tightly, giving it one final push and then a sharp cry pierced the room. My heart was full as I looked up to see the doctor holding my child, a baby with jet-black hair matted against his tiny head just like Lucas.
"A boy," the doctor announced excitedly.
My son. My firstborn. The nurse carried him away to clean him, and my heart twisted with anxiety.
When they placed him in my arms, I couldn't hold back the sobs. He was so small, his tiny fingers curling slightly as if searching for mine. His face was round and perfect, his eyes closed peacefully .
I stared at him, memorizing every detail. The faint scent of him, the warmth of his body pressed against mine. My hands trembled as I ran a finger across his soft cheek.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered. My tears fell on his face and I wiped them away. "I love you so much. I hope one day you'll understand."
The nurse took him from me far too soon, carrying him away as the doctor left to deliver the news to Lucas. I turned my head away, unable to watch as the doors closed behind them. The emptiness in my arms felt unbearable, making my heart sink.
Then it happened.
I felt a sudden pain in my stomach, this time sharper and more critical than before. My body froze involuntarily and I gasped, clutching my stomach.
"Doctor!" I managed to call out. "Something's wrong!"
The nurse nearest to me rushed to my side, her face filled with concern. "She's in labor again!" she shouted, her voice rising above the noise.
The doctor returned, his expression a mixture of disbelief and urgency. "Another baby?" he muttered, grabbing his gloves and rushing to assist me.
My head spun as the contractions took over my body one after another. The room blurred around me, and I could barely keep my eyes open. With one final push, another cry filled the air.
"It's a boy," the doctor announced again, his voice laced with astonishment.
This time, the baby had soft blonde hair just like me. He was smaller than his brother, his cries weaker but just as precious. My heart swelled as they placed him in my arms.
I stared at him, my second son. I couldn't believe I was pregnant with twins. It never showed up during our numerous visits to the gynecologist.
I stared at my child in my hands and knew I couldn't let him go. Not this one. Not both of them.
The doctor's voice broke through my thoughts. "We'll need to notify Lucas—"
"No!" My voice came out stronger than I expected. "Please, don't tell him. Don't tell anyone."
The doctor hesitated, his brows furrowing. "Miss, that's not how this works. He has a right to know—"
I shook my head fervently, tears gushing down my face. "I'll do whatever it takes. I'll pay everyone in this room to keep quiet. But Lucas can't know about him. Please."
The doctor exchanged a glance with the nurse, then sighed heavily. "This is highly irregular…"
"Please," I begged, pulling my baby closer to my chest. "Just let me keep him. Just him."
After a long pause, the doctor nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But you'll need to leave as soon as possible. If Lucas comes back—"
"I'll be gone before he does," I assured him, my voice shaking.
The next morning, I made arrangements with Julian to bring my belongings to the hospital. I knew Lucas wouldn't come looking for me. As far as he was concerned, the deal was done.
Once my things arrived, I packed quickly, stealing galnces at my baby who slept peacefully in a bassinet beside me. His brother was already gone, handed over to Lucas, and the thought made my chest tighten. I couldn't let myself dwell on it.
I wrapped my son in a blanket, holding him close as I slipped out of the hospital, trying to avoid watchful eyes.
The streets were cold and I wandered from park to park, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. I found a cheap hotel where I stayed for a few days. During my stay there, I tried to figure out my next move.
Each night, I held my baby to my chest, whispering to him about how much I loved him and how I would do anything to protect him. I couldn't collect the other half of my payment from the deal because I had ran away.
I couldn't let my baby suffer just because he was unlucky to be with me. I quickly made a decision There was only one place I could go. My mother.
I hadn't seen my mother since the last time at the hospital, neither hav me I spoken to her. I could imagine her shock when she sees me holding a child and I could only hope she understood.
The next day, I found myself standing in front of my mother's tiny apartment building. My heart raced as I held my baby, his tiny body warm against mine.
I raised my hand to knock, hesitating a little bit. What if she didn't let me in? What if she turned me away?
But I was already here. I couldn't turn back now.
The door slowly opened , revealing my mother's smiling face. She looked healthier than I remembered, her once weak frame now stronger, her eyes brighter.
Her expression lit up at the sight of me. "Olivia!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with shock and happiness. But then her eyes fell to the baby in my arms, and her smile dropped.
Her eyes widened and her brows creased. "Whose child is this?" She asked.
I swallowed hard, my throat getting dry as tears filled my eyes. "Mom," I said softly, shifting the baby in my arms. "I need to tell you everything."