Chapter 81

ANASTASIA’S POV

“This drawer should be for onesies only,” I said, gesturing toward the top section of the white-painted dresser. “Socks and mittens go in the drawer beneath it. Bottles and bibs can go in the basket next to the changing station.”

Nolan’s mother gave a hum of approval, folding a tiny yellow onesie with smiling ducks printed on it and tucking it neatly into place. “You've got an eye for this thing,” she said, smiling over her shoulder at me.

“I’m nesting,” I replied with a laugh, rubbing my belly. “It’s apparently a thing.”

“Mm-hmm. I remember this phase. With Nolan, I was scrubbing the kitchen tiles with a toothbrush.”

“That explains a lot,” I teased, making her laugh.

Across the room, Nolan was on his knees, trying to assemble the crib. He frowned at the instruction sheet, then looked at the half-assembled frame.

“This thing has thirty screws and no soul,” he muttered.

I smiled. “Do you want me to take over?”

“I’d rather wrestle a bear,” he replied, not looking up. “I got this.”

Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He paused to check the screen, and I noticed the way the expression on his face changed. The crease between his brows deepened. 

He stood up slowly, brushing his palms on his jeans. “I’ll be right back.”

“Who was that?” I asked softly.

“Just work.” He said casually.

I watched him leave the nursery and turn the corner toward our bedroom. I was unsatisfied with the response I got from him. 

I turned to his mom. “Give me a second. I’ll be right back.”

She just nodded and continued folding the onesies and humming a lullaby under her breath.

I walked down the hallway and stepped into our room, closing the door gently behind me. Nolan was sitting on the edge of the bed with his head bowed, one hand raking through his hair. 

“Nolan,” I called softly as I leaned against the door. 

He looked up. His eyes softened when they met mine. He reached for me. “Come here.”

“Okay,” I said, walking to him and smoothing his tousled hair. “What’s going on?”

He didn’t answer immediately, instead, he pulled me between his legs. His arms wrapped around my waist, and he kissed my belly before resting his forehead there.

“I hate doing this right now,” he murmured.

My heart sank. “Doing what?”

He looked up at me with sad eyes. “I have to leave.”

I stared at him, blinking slowly. “What do you mean ‘leave’?”

“Just a few days,” he said quickly. “I need to take care of something.”

“Nolan.” I pulled away slightly to look at him fully. “Can’t you take care of it from here? I thought you said you weren’t going to leave until after the baby was born.”

“I wish I could handle it remotely. But we finally found the hideout of Raul’s sponsor.”

My stomach clenched. That name always brought a chill with it.

“He’s been screwing with my business. Taking out warehouses. Messing with shipments. If I don’t act now, he’ll vanish again and I’ll lose this chance.”

I exhaled slowly. “Do what you have to do… but you better be back before I pop this baby out.”

He chuckled, pressing another kiss to my belly. “You’ve still got a while before that happens. I should be back in a few days.”

“You better be,” I said, poking his shoulder.

“I will,” he promised.

We began packing his things. Just a few shirts, pants, socks. I folded a hoodie and handed it to him. He smiled faintly and tucked it in.

When we were done packing, he slung the duffel bag over his shoulder and stepped out of the room and I followed closely behind.

As Nolan passed with the duffel slung over his shoulder, his mother stepped out of the nursery and saw him. 

“Where are you going with that bag?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

Nolan offered a sheepish smile. “I have to take care of something for a few days.”

Her expression shifted. She didn’t like it—but she understood.

“Fine,” she said. “But you better be back soon. That cot isn’t going to build itself.”

“I know, Mom.” He said hugging her. “Thanks for helping with everything.”

She hugged him back tightly, then gave him a quick slap on the shoulder. “Take care of her, please. Make sure she eats and rests. She listens to you.” He said before stepping away from her.

He turned to me next and pulled me in again, kissing me deeply on the lips. Then he looked into my eyes, serious this time. “I love you. And I love this little one so damn much.”

I pressed my forehead to his. “Then go handle what you need to, so we can finally have peace.”

He nodded and turned to Ivan. “Keep her safe.”

“Sure thing, boss,” Ivan replied.

And then Nolan headed to the door. I walked him out, following him down the porch steps and to the car.

He tossed the duffel into the backseat and opened the driver’s door.

“Hey,” I said softly, grabbing his hand before he got in. “Be safe, husband.”

“Always, Princess.,” he said, cupping my face one last time and kissing my forehead. “I’ll call every day,” he whispered into my hair.

“You better,” I replied.

He got into the car, started the engine, and pulled away. I stood on the curb watching him until the car turned at the end of the street and disappeared from view.

The wind blew gently against my cheeks, and I placed a hand over my belly.

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“Are you ready to go to the clinic?” my mother’s voice called out as the front door creaked open.

I looked up from the couch, where I sat with one hand resting on my belly and the other scrolling through my phone. “Yeah, just waiting for Nolan’s mom to finish up in the nursery,” I replied.

She walked into the living room with a plastic bag in her hand and handed it over to Ivan. “These are for the baby. Please take them to the nursery.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ivan said with a nod.

I glanced down at my screen again. No new messages. No missed calls. I had been texting Nolan since yesterday—little updates about the nursery, about the baby kicking, about how much I missed him—but all I got was silence.

Maybe it was just a service issue. Maybe he didn’t have network coverage. 

Bang. Bang. Bang. A frantic knock rang through the house.

“I’ll get it,” my mother said, standing quickly and heading toward the front door.

I heard the door creak open, followed by hurried footsteps and a panicked voice.

“Where is she? Where’s Anna?”

I turned my head just as Jax burst into the living room. His chest was heaving, and his face was pale as if he’d been running for miles.

“Jax?” I asked, confused. “What are you—?”

He didn’t let me finish.

“It’s Nolan,” he said breathlessly. “He’s been taken.”

I shot to my feet, but too quickly. The room spun, and a sharp, tearing pull twisted deep in my lower belly.

“Agh!” I gasped, stumbling backward.

I collapsed onto the couch as a scream tore from my throat.

My mother ran to my side in a flash. “Anna! Are you okay?”

Nolan’s mom and Ivan rushed out of the hallway.

“What happened?” she demanded.

“My stomach—something’s wrong—it hurts,” I whimpered, clutching my belly.

“Anna, breathe,” Nolan’s mother said in panic as she came up to my side.

“I’m okay,” I said after a few seconds, breathing through the pain. The pull eased a bit so I sat up.

“I’m okay,” I repeated, shaking my head. 

I turned to Jax. “What do you mean he’s been taken? By who?”

“He and his men were ambushed. He didn’t even make it to the hideout. The van was found empty. They think—”

He didn’t finish.

I stood again slowly, but as I did, I felt a strange warmth spread between my legs.

I frowned and looked down.

My heart stopped.

There was blood rushing down my legs soaking the white fabric of my gown.

Nolan’s mother gasped as she looked down at the floor.

“Oh my God,” my mother whispered.

I hadn’t even processed the bleeding when another wave of pain hit me. It was stronger than the last.

“Ahhh!” I let out a loud scream, my knees buckling as the room began to blur. 

“I’ve got her!” Jax shouted as he caught me just before I hit the floor.

Everything hurt too much.

My back, my belly, my legs.

“Call the doctor! Now!” I heard my mother yell.

Ivan reached to remove me from Jax’s grip and carried me in his arms. 

I wanted to stay awake.

I wanted to hold on.

The last thing I remember was the pain tearing me apart from inside and my loud screams before everything went dark.