Chapter 56 Chapter 55

Chapter 56 Chapter 55
Dominic turned to me slowly, incredulous.
"Your cake? You’re worried about the cake, Chloe? The baby is about to be born!"
"But I’m craving cake…" I replied, grimacing in pain.
He huffed, grabbing the keys and helping me walk to the door.
"Cake can wait. Baby first."
"You say that now, but I want cake at the hospital," I muttered, feeling another strong contraction.
"If it’ll make you stop arguing during labor, I’ll buy an entire bakery," he shot back, slipping his arm around my waist and practically carrying me to the car.

Dominic helped me into the car, his trembling hands trying to appear steady. As soon as I closed the door, he ran around and practically threw himself into the driver’s seat, starting the engine in a rush.
The motor roared, the tires screeched, and within seconds we were driving through the gate. He shifted gears quickly, maneuvering with urgency and speeding down the street, the sound of the tires echoing. In the rearview mirror, I saw a line of cars behind us — all with their hazard lights flashing, clearing the way like a presidential escort. Typical Don Moretti.

The contractions came hard, forcing a low groan from me. I gripped the seatbelt tightly, breathing deeply.
"Calm down, we’re almost there," he said, his fingers tapping nervously on the steering wheel.
"I am calm, Dominic," I replied through clenched teeth.
"I wasn’t talking to you, Chloe!" he snapped, his tone louder than it should’ve been. "Don’t break my concentration!"

I looked at him and almost laughed. The king of control, the man who faced armed mafiosos without blinking, was completely losing it over a childbirth. The veins in his neck stood out, his eyes were glued to the road, and he was breathing like he was about to step onto a battlefield.
Another contraction hit, making me groan and clutch the seat.
"Ah… Dominic…"
He panicked. "Breathe, breathe! Remember what the doctor said! Inhale… exhale… calm!"
I rolled my eyes. "I know how to breathe, Dominic. You’re the one who looks like you need an oxygen tank."
He shot me a quick look, lips pressed tight, and turned back to the road.
"If I miss this turn, I’m going to kill someone."

Honestly? If I weren’t in labor, I’d be laughing. Laughing hard. Too bad every contraction made me forget how to do that. Still, between one breath and the next, I thought I’d give anything to record his face at that moment — the most feared mafia boss in the city, absolutely terrified of his own child’s birth.

The car stopped in front of the hospital, and Dominic jumped out without even closing the door, running around to open mine. Before I could process anything, he lifted me into his arms.
"Dominic, put me down… now!" I protested, my voice mixed with shock.
"No," he said, holding me like a bride about to walk down the aisle. "My wife is in labor!"
He shouted loud enough for everyone in the lobby to hear. My God… not even childbirth could happen normally for me, I thought, swallowing hard.
"Dominic… stop this…" I tried to catch my breath, but he didn’t listen.
"No, Chloe. I’m not stopping."

I looked over his shoulder and saw ten of his men entering behind him, positioning themselves at the hospital entrance like a silent barrier.
The doctors cleared the delivery room, and Dominic gently set me down. The nurses quickly guided me inside, helping me change clothes. Every touch made my body tremble with nerves and pain. As soon as I lay down, adjusting myself, the doctor’s eyes widened.
"She’s eight centimeters dilated!"

Minutes later, Dominic came in wearing green surgical scrubs, a cap tied on, and stood beside me. He held my hands firmly.
"Take a deep breath, push when you feel the contraction," the doctor instructed.

Sweat dripped down my forehead, soaking my hair. I pushed with all my strength, panting, feeling every muscle in my body working. The nurses encouraged me, their words blending with the beeping machines and my pounding heart.
"One more time, you can do it!" one of them urged, wiping the sweat from my face with gauze.

Then I heard it — the most delicate, powerful cry I’d ever heard. My body released a long breath of relief, and my eyes filled with tears. I looked at Dominic, who was staring at the baby with a mix of shock and tenderness.
"Congratulations, it’s a girl!" announced the doctor.

They wrapped our daughter in a small blanket and handed her to me. I felt her tiny, warm weight in my arms.
"Our daughter…" I murmured, smiling as I stroked her head.
"She’s beautiful… our Ayla, as beautiful as her mother," Dominic whispered, leaning in to kiss my forehead, his breath heavy but relieved.
"I still want my cake," I muttered, half laughing between breaths.
Dominic let out a low laugh, holding our little Ayla close to his chest.
"I’ll buy every cake in existence just for you."