Chapter 6 - The Baby He Wanted
Roman drove through the city without saying a word.
Nora sat beside him.
Celeste was in the back seat.
Nobody knew whether Roman's father had survived.
Nobody knew who fired the shot.
Nobody knew who was betraying whom.
But one thing had changed.
Roman knew the baby might be his.
Nora watched his hands gripping the steering wheel.
“You're angry.”
“Yes.”
“At me?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
“Everyone.”
She looked away.
Roman glanced at her.
“I should have protected you.”
“You tried.”
“I failed.”
“You didn't know.”
“I should have.”
Nora was silent.
Then she whispered:
“Is it true?”
Roman's eyes met hers in the mirror.
“What?”
“That the baby could be yours.”
He didn't answer immediately.
“I don't know.”
Nora looked down.
“You don't remember?”
Roman's face tightened.
“I remember that night.”
“So do I.”
He looked at her.
“You were there.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?”
“Because you were gone.”
“I left to keep you alive.”
“You left without saying goodbye.”
Roman's voice softened.
“I thought if I stayed, they'd kill you.”
Nora's eyes filled.
“They almost did anyway.”
The car stopped at a secure house.
Roman got out first.
He opened Nora's door.
She stepped out.
He offered his hand.
She hesitated.
Then took it.
The gesture was small.
But Roman held her fingers carefully.
Inside, doctors examined Nora.
The baby was healthy.
The heartbeat filled the room.
Roman stood beside the monitor.
He stared at the sound.
His eyes became wet.
Nora noticed.
“You're crying.”
“No.”
“You are.”
He looked at her.
“I've never heard that before.”
“You've heard babies' heartbeats.”
“Not mine.”
Nora stopped breathing.
Roman looked at her stomach.
“If it is mine…”
“It?”
He corrected himself.
“When our baby is born…”
Nora's eyes filled.
“What?”
“I'll never leave you again.”
Before she could answer, the doctor suddenly frowned.
“Wait.”
Roman stepped closer.
“What?”
The doctor replayed the ultrasound.
“There are two heartbeats.”
Nora froze.
“What?”
The doctor stared at the monitor.
“You're carrying twins.”
Roman's face went completely still.
Celeste entered the room.
She heard the words.
Her face changed.
“No.”
Nora stared at her.
“Mom?”
Celeste whispered:
“That can't be.”
“Why?”
Celeste looked terrified.
“Because the second baby…”
The lights went out.
A scream came from the hallway.
Roman immediately pulled Nora behind him.
His phone vibrated.
One message appeared.
ONE OF YOUR TWINS WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE BORN.
May you like
Then another message arrived.
AND YOUR DOCTOR IS LYING TO YOU.
