Chapter 255: The Baby in the Womb Faces a Crisis
**【Luna's Perspective】**
The world seemed to slow down as I crouched beside Violet's bleeding form in the garden shrubbery. Another shot rang out, splintering the bark of a nearby tree. The sniper was still out there, hunting us in the darkness.
"Violet?" I whispered, gently shaking her unresponsive form. Her breathing was shallow, her face growing paler by the minute. The security guard who had appeared at the entrance remained motionless on the ground.
A sharp contraction seized my abdomen, forcing me to bite my lip to keep from crying out. The pain radiated through my lower back, more intense than any I'd experienced before. Panic threatened to overwhelm me as I realized my options were rapidly diminishing. Staying here meant certain death for both of us; moving meant exposing ourselves to the sniper's aim.
I took a deep breath, forcing my racing thoughts to slow. *Think, Luna. Think.*
Gently lowering Violet's head to the ground, I shrugged off my outer coat, careful to keep my movements minimal. Another contraction gripped me, and I waited for it to pass before continuing.
"Baby, don't be afraid," I whispered to my unborn child, one hand protectively covering my rounded belly. "Trust mommy. We're going to be okay."
The coat in my hands represented our only chance. I bunched it up, gathering my courage, then tossed it high into the air away from our position. The quiet *pfft* of a silenced rifle confirmed my suspicions.
In that brief moment of distraction, I scrambled to my feet and ran, abandoning all pretense of stealth for pure speed. Each step sent jolts of pain through my pregnant body, but adrenaline pushed me forward. I reached the marble steps leading to the villa's entrance, diving behind one of the massive columns that flanked the doorway.
My heart hammered so violently I feared it might burst from my chest. My breath came in short, painful gasps, and sweat dampened my hair despite the cool evening air. Another contraction, stronger than before, forced me to double over.
*Stay calm. Stay focused.* I peered around the column, gauging the distance to the front door. It seemed impossibly far, yet it represented our only sanctuary.
I stripped off my sweater next, balling it up in my hands. With a silent prayer, I flung it toward the door. The bullet that tore through the fabric struck the security door with a metallic ping, confirming the sniper's position had shifted.
There was no time to formulate another plan. Gathering every ounce of courage and strength, I pushed away from the column and sprinted toward the door. The first bullet whistled past my ear. The second struck the ground at my feet. The third shattered a decorative light fixture as I lunged for the door handle.
I tumbled inside, my momentum carrying me forward until I crashed onto the marble floor of the foyer. The impact sent a wave of searing pain through my abdomen, and I felt a warm gush of liquid between my thighs.
"Lights off," I commanded, my voice barely audible.
The home automation system responded instantly, plunging the entire villa into darkness. I lay motionless on the floor, one hand reaching beneath me to touch the wetness soaking through my clothes. In the darkness, I couldn't tell if it was blood or amniotic fluid.
With excruciating effort, I dragged myself across the floor toward the living room, where I'd left my phone earlier. Finally, my fingers closed around the familiar shape of my device.
First, I dialed emergency services, reporting the shooting and requesting immediate assistance for Violet. Next, I tried Max's number, my heart sinking when the call went straight to voicemail. I tried again with the same result. His phone was off.
With trembling fingers, I dialed Kevin.
"Ma'am," his voice answered after two rings, the sound of sirens and shouting audible in the background.
"Kevin," I managed, my voice catching. "Where's Max?"
"Lily was drugged and seriously injured," Kevin explained. "The boss took her to the hospital for treatment. I'm leading the security team in pursuing the escaped kidnappers."
The news struck me like a physical blow. While I lay here, possibly in labor, possibly bleeding out, Max was at the hospital with Lily.
"Kevin, come back quickly," I said, my voice hollow with shock. "Violet's been shot."
"What?" His professional demeanor cracked. "Where are you? Are you safe?"
"I'm inside the villa," I whispered. "But hurry. Please hurry."
After ending the call, I remained perfectly still on the floor, conserving what strength remained. Through the large windows, I could see the faint red dot of a laser sight sweeping across the room, searching for me in the darkness. The sniper hadn't given up.
I lay motionless, both hands now cradling my belly, focusing all my attention on feeling any movement from my baby. The contractions were coming regularly now, undeniable in their intensity.
"Violet, hold on," I murmured into the darkness, as if my words could somehow reach her outside. "The police and ambulance will arrive soon. Kevin is coming back. You need to stay strong until they can help you."
Turning my attention inward, I spoke to my child. "Baby, mommy would give up everything just to keep you safe. As long as you're alive, I'll protect you. I won't let you get hurt again."
---
The wail of sirens grew louder, breaking through my pain-induced haze. Red and blue lights flashed through the windows as police cars and ambulances arrived outside the villa. Voices called out commands, and the beam of flashlights swept across the garden.
I heard shouting as they discovered Violet. Then came pounding at the door and calls of "Police! Is anyone inside?"
With the last of my strength, I called out, "Here... I'm here."
The next few minutes passed in a blur. Paramedics carefully loaded me onto a stretcher, their faces grim as they assessed my condition. Through the open door, I caught a glimpse of another team working frantically over Violet before loading her into a separate ambulance.
"Ma'am, you're experiencing premature labor and significant bleeding," one paramedic explained as they secured me in the ambulance. "We need to get you to the hospital immediately."
---
"Where's your husband?" The question came from a doctor as they rushed me through the emergency department doors.
"I don't know," I gasped between contractions.
"Your family?" another voice pressed.
"No one," I managed.
The medical team exchanged concerned glances as they wheeled me toward the labor and delivery unit. The activity around me intensified, more monitors attached, more urgent voices.
"Who will sign the consent forms?" A nurse leaned over me, her expression worried. "Your condition is serious. How many months pregnant are you? Which hospital has your records?"
I fumbled for my phone, handing it to her with trembling fingers. "Mrs. Morrison's number is there. Try to reach her."
"Have you contacted your husband again?" the doctor asked, checking something on the monitor that made his expression darken.
I shook my head. "His phone is off."
"Any family arrived yet?" the doctor asked the nurse.
"They're on their way," she replied, though I could tell from her tone it was more hope than certainty.
The doctor turned back to me, frustration evident in his voice. "You're over seven months pregnant and don't have a single family member with you? You're hemorrhaging severely. We need someone to sign the consent forms before we can proceed. How are we supposed to treat you without proper authorization?"
Another doctor approached, his expression grave as he reviewed a printout. "We can't wait any longer," he announced. "There's no fetal heartbeat."
The words struck me with physical force. No heartbeat. The room seemed to fade around me as a cold numbness spread through my body.
In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to follow my child into the darkness. What was the point of fighting, of surviving, if my baby was already lost?
Through the haze of my despair, I heard a nurse's voice. "There's a young woman outside claiming to be a family member. She's willing to sign the forms."