part 5
PART 5
The ambulance ride was a blur of sirens, oxygen, and Luke’s hand wrapped around Maya’s.
The medic kept checking the monitor.
Maya kept watching his face.
Every time he looked worried, she felt her body panic.
Luke noticed and forced his expression calm.
Even fear obeyed him when Maya needed it to.
“Talk to me,” she whispered.
He leaned closer.
“About what?”
“Anything.”
So he talked about the first time she brought home a stray kitten and hid it in his closet.
He talked about how she once cut her own bangs before picture day.
He talked about their mother burning pancakes and pretending it was a new recipe.
He talked until Maya’s breathing steadied.
Then the pain surged.
Her hand crushed his fingers.
The medic looked up.
“We may be dealing with early labor triggered by trauma.”
Maya’s eyes widened.
“No.”
Luke’s voice stayed firm.
“Maya, listen to me.”
“You got help.”
“You got out.”
“Now we do the next thing.”
At the hospital, doctors rushed her through the maternity emergency entrance.
Luke followed until a nurse blocked him.
“I’m her brother.”
Maya reached for him.
“He stays.”
The nurse hesitated.
Maya’s eyes filled with terror.
“He stays.”
The doctor nodded.
“He can stay until surgery prep if needed.”
Surgery.
The word cracked the room open.
Maya looked at Luke.
“What if he gets custody?”
Luke understood instantly.
Not the baby.
Trent.
Control did not stop at hospital doors.
Luke bent close.
“He won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.”
He pulled out his phone.
“The SOS recorded audio.”
“Police entered the scene.”
“Neighbors gave statements.”
“Your doctor will document everything.”
“And I already called Nora.”
Maya blinked.
“Nora?”
“Our cousin.”
“The attorney you said scared judges.”
For the first time all morning, Maya almost laughed.
“She scares everyone.”
“Good.”
The doctor moved around them quickly.
Maya’s blood pressure was unstable.
The baby was in distress.
The decision came fast.
Emergency C-section.
Maya began to shake.
Luke squeezed her hand.
“You saved the baby before she was even born.”
Maya whispered, “She?”
He smiled through fear.
“You told me once you knew.”
The nurses rolled her toward surgery.
Luke walked beside her until the doors stopped him.
Maya looked back.
“Don’t let him near her.”
Luke’s answer was immediate.
May you like
“Never.”
Read the full story 👉 Maya reached the hospital in labor, and Luke called the attorney who could stop Trent from claiming the baby.
