Chapter 256: Luna's baby was born prematurely
**【Luna's Perspective】**
Moments later, Violet rushed into the room, her face pale and drawn, a blood-soaked bandage visible on her shoulder. The sight of her—injured yet determined—provided an unexpected anchor for my spiraling emotions.
"Luna," she gasped, reaching for my hand. "I'm here."
The doctor eyed her skeptically. "You're family?"
"I'm her sister," Violet stated firmly, meeting his gaze without hesitation.
"She needs emergency treatment," the doctor explained, thrusting papers toward Violet. "Sign these consent forms. Quickly!"
As Violet scrawled her signature across the documents, I felt a surge of bitter clarity wash over me. *Women can never depend on men in this life. The higher your expectations, the greater your disappointment.*
Violet returned to my side, gripping my hand tightly. "Stay strong, Luna. You and the baby will be fine."
The medical team had been preparing to move me to surgery for an emergency C-section, but the lead doctor suddenly tensed. "The baby's crowning. We need to deliver now!"
What followed was a blur of searing pain and desperate effort. Violet stood beside me, wincing from her own wound yet never letting go of my hand, whispering encouragement as I pushed with every ounce of remaining strength.
"You're doing great, Luna. Just a little more," she urged, her voice steady despite the pain evident in her eyes.
I bit down hard on my lower lip, tasting blood as another contraction tore through me. My body felt consumed by fire, drenched in sweat, every muscle screaming in protest as I gathered my strength for one final push.
"The head's out! One more push," the doctor commanded.
With a guttural cry that seemed to come from somewhere beyond myself, I gave a final, desperate push. The sensation of the baby slipping from my body brought momentary relief before I registered the doctors' alarmed expressions.
The room fell silent. No infant cries pierced the air.
I watched in horror as the doctor held my tiny son upside down, his bluish body limp and motionless. A nurse quickly supplied suction while the doctor firmly patted the baby's back.
"Blood pressure dropping rapidly," another voice called out. "She's hemorrhaging. Get the plasma ready!"
As darkness crept into the edges of my vision, I felt myself slipping away. In this twilight between consciousness and oblivion, I saw him—my son, plump and rosy-cheeked, smiling at me from across an impossible distance.
*Baby, please forgive me for not protecting you better,* I thought, reaching toward the vision. *Please come home with me. Please.*
The darkness claimed me entirely.
---
**【Max's Perspective】**
I skimmed through Lily's medical report before returning to the emergency room. The doctor approached, chart in hand.
"She has a mild concussion and a fractured right ankle that requires immediate treatment," he explained. "No other significant injuries."
Lily sat slumped in a wheelchair, still wearing my suit jacket draped over her shoulders. When she saw me, she attempted a brave smile.
"I'm sorry for causing trouble," she murmured, handing back my jacket. "You should go home. Luna must be worried."
"Let's get your ankle treated first," I insisted, pushing her wheelchair toward the orthopedic department.
During the short journey, I questioned her about the kidnapping. "Why would they target you specifically?"
"I have no idea," Lily replied, wincing as the wheelchair bumped over a threshold. "I was at that high-end spa near the State Department when I suddenly felt dizzy. When I woke up, masked men were holding me captive."
I frowned, making the connection. "The same spa Skyler visits weekly?"
Lily nodded, her expression puzzled.
While the orthopedic surgeon prepared to set Lily's ankle, I stepped outside to check my phone. It was completely powered off. Strange—the battery had been nearly full when I'd arrived at the hospital.
As soon as I turned it on, a flood of notifications appeared: missed calls from Kevin, my parents, my brother and sister-in-law, Violet, and two calls from Luna.
A cold dread settled in my stomach as I immediately dialed Kevin.
"Sir," his voice was tense when he answered, "Mrs. Morrison has been in an accident. You need to come to Washington General Hospital immediately."
"What happened?" I demanded, already moving toward the exit.
"There was a sniper attack at the villa. Violet was shot. Mrs. Morrison went into premature labor. It's critical, sir."
I stormed back into Lily's treatment room. "Did you turn off my phone?" I demanded.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Of course not! Why would I do that?"
Without answering, I turned and ran, ignoring Lily calling my name behind me.
---
**【Luna's Perspective】**
I drifted back to consciousness gradually, aware first of the antiseptic smell, then of a warm pressure around my hand. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy as I forced them open.
Max's face swam into focus, his expression haggard with worry. Behind him stood James and Helen, John and Marie, Orion, and Kevin—all wearing similar expressions of concern.
"The baby," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Where is he?"
Max leaned closer. "He's in the NICU. Three pounds, six ounces. His lungs aren't fully developed yet, so he needs to stay in the incubator for now."
Relief flooded through me. My son was alive. The crushing weight of fear lifted slightly, though concern about his fragile state remained. "So small," I murmured.
I slowly withdrew my hand from Max's grip, the movement deliberate. His expression flickered with hurt, but I couldn't bring myself to care.
"How is Violet?" I asked, directing my question to Helen rather than Max.
"She's resting in the next room," Helen replied gently. "The bullet has been removed. She'll recover completely."
Marie stepped forward. "We'll help take care of the baby, Luna. Don't worry."
"Congratulations on your son," Orion added softly from his position near the window.
Helen took my other hand. "Luna, you nearly died. You lost so much blood that the doctors considered a hysterectomy to save your life. Thank goodness they managed to stop the bleeding without resorting to that."
I nodded weakly, absorbing this information.
"Luna," Helen continued, "I think you should come stay at the Morrison family mansion after you're discharged. I've already arranged for a professional postpartum nurse. We'll take good care of you both."
Max opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. "Thank you, Helen. I'd appreciate that."
The surprise and hurt in Max's eyes was evident, but I kept my expression neutral. In those critical moments when I'd needed him most, he had been unavailable.
Helen beamed, oblivious to the tension. "I'll prepare the rooms right away. We'll make a beautiful nursery for my grandson!"
A doctor and nurse entered the room. "We need to check Mrs. Morrison's vitals," the doctor announced. "Could everyone please step outside for a moment?"
As the room cleared, I closed my eyes again, feeling utterly drained.