Chapter 72

The next morning at East Valley Medical Hospital, Maria awoke with a dull ache radiating through every inch of her body. Each muscle seemed to protest as she tried to shift, the stiffness making it difficult even to roll onto her side. The room was cloaked in darkness—only the faint glow of the bedside lamp pierced the shadows, casting long shapes against sterile walls. There was a small window, no hint of fresh air or sunlight to brighten the gloom. The stagnant air felt heavy, almost suffocating, and Maria couldn’t help but think that the place felt more like a jail cell than a hospital room.

She attempted to push herself upright, but the pain and weakness held her down. Frustration welled up inside her, and she clenched the bedsheet tightly, willing herself to sit. Before she could try again, the door creaked open. A nurse entered, her steps soft and efficient as she checked the monitors and IV drips beside the bed.

Behind the nurse, an imposing presence filled the doorway—Queen Raine stepped into the room, her posture regal and commanding even in the clinical setting. Maria's heart raced as she met the Queen’s gaze. The nurse offered a polite nod and busied herself with her tasks, but Maria’s attention was completely on Queen Raine, whose expression was a blend of concern and determination.

“Good morning, Maria,” Queen Raine said softly, her voice breaking the silence. “How are you feeling?”

Maria tried to speak, but her throat was dry and her energy low. Still, she managed a faint, “Sore…” as she struggled again to sit up, the Queen stepping forward to offer gentle support. With their help, Maria eased herself into a sitting position, grateful for the presence of someone who cared, even as the unfamiliar, claustrophobic room closed in around her.

“You are back into your room, I am here to tell you that, your baby didn’t make it,” lied Raine

Maria didn’t show any tears or emotion; she simply looked up at the ceiling, her face blank and distant. Slowly, she let her hand drift to her stomach, where a tender soreness lingered beneath her palm. With cautious movements, Maria lifted her hospital gown and stared at the fresh, angry cut that marked her skin—a silent reminder of all she’d lost. Pulling the gown back down and tucking the blanket over herself, she retreated back into the shadowed stillness, her thoughts swirling in quiet turmoil.

“You will be staying here until you fully recover and your trial will start,”

Queen Raine walked out of the room, her demeanor unwavering as she passed the nurse who would be responsible for Maria's care during her recovery. The nurse approached Maria with gentle reassurance, adjusting her blankets and checking her vitals with practiced hands. Meanwhile, beyond the sterile walls of the hospital, Raine carried the secret that Maria's baby was not lost, but alive—and now with Kathy, far from Maria's reach.

As Raine went back to her home to make the special bracelet to give it to Kathy so she could put it on the baby.

Kathy P.O.V

Kathy woke up to the sound of crying and blinked sleepily, her eyes adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. Looking up, she saw Anthony standing by the crib, cradling one of the twins in his arms. He walked forward with a gentle smile, his gaze warm and reassuring as he looked at Kathy. The baby fussed quietly, tiny fists waving, and Anthony murmured soothing words while approaching the bed.

“Which baby is that?” asked Kathy

“I don’t know,” said Anthony

“Let me see,” said Kathy

Kathy sat up in the bed as Anthony came over and gently placed the baby in her arms. She brushed the soft hair away from his forehead, checking the color to tell him apart from his twin. The baby quieted instantly, gazing up at her with wide blue eyes as his crying subsided.

“This Kai — he must be hungry,” said Kathy, cradling him close as she felt the gentle weight settle against her chest. She glanced at Anthony, her voice soft but certain, and began to hum a quiet tune while preparing to nurse the baby, her touch instinctive and comforting.

Kathy lifted her shirt and gently pulled down her nursing bra, guiding Kai so he could latch on before his twin woke up. Anthony sat beside her, his hand resting warmly on her side as he leaned in, offering quiet support while Kai nursed peacefully. The soft sounds in the room were filled with comfort, and for a moment, it felt as if nothing outside could touch their little family.

“I am sorry I wasn’t there for our son's birth. I would go crazy if you three had to go through that labor and if anything were to happen to you. "If I could have, I would have strangled Noah with my bare hands," Anthony said.

Kathy reached out, her tone soothing as she replied, “Honey, it’s okay, it’s all over. Our sons are healthy with no problems. Plus, we have a little girl to take care of too,” she said with a reassuring smile, hoping to ease Anthony’s guilt and remind him of the joy their children brought to their lives. The gentle warmth in her voice seemed to wrap around them both, creating a sense of peace in the quiet morning.

“Yes, I want to ask you about that,” said Anthony, his eyes searching hers with concern. “How are you really feeling after everything? I know it must have been overwhelming.”

Kathy paused, glancing down at Kai before looking back up at Anthony. Her voice was thoughtful as she continued, “I decided to take Maria and Noah's daughter in and raise her as our own. I know the plan was to strip her of her witch and werewolf lineage, then let her live with the humans. But Queen Raine brought Melody—who I named her—over to me last night.” She spoke gently, the significance of this choice settling between them as she cradled Kai, the quiet in the room deepening with the weight of her words.

Anthony got off the bed and walked over to the basket to see Melody sleeping peacefully. He slipped his finger gently into her tiny hand, and she instinctively closed her fingers around his. Anthony sighed to himself, a mix of wonder and responsibility settling in his chest, then glanced back at Kathy, who was quietly burping Kai, her focus steady and loving on their son.

As Anthony watched Melody sleep, he couldn’t help but reflect on the truth: this precious baby girl was born to Maria and Noah, who had lost the right to be her parents because of the choices they’d made. Now, Melody was his daughter—his little princess to love and protect, joining their two princes as part of their growing family. The thought filled him with a bittersweet sense of responsibility and hope for the future.

Before they could linger in the quiet any longer, a sudden chorus of cries erupted from the basket—Melody and Leon had both woken, their mealtime demands unmistakable. Anthony exchanged a knowing smile with Kathy, already preparing to help as their family’s gentle chaos began again.

"They must be hungry," Anthony murmured, the scent of baking bread thick in the air.

Anthony handed Kathy the bottle of milk, and she opened it, the distinct pop of the seal breaking echoing in the room, and then handed it to Anthony to feed Melody.

As Kathy continued breastfeeding, Leon and Kai drifted back to sleep, their tiny breaths settling into a gentle rhythm. With a quiet sigh of contentment, Kathy glanced out the window and saw the sky brightening, the sun peeking out from behind a veil of clouds. It was clear that the morning was nearly over, and the peaceful scene outside mirrored the calm that had finally settled over their little family.