Chapter 137: The Amniotic Fluid Broke

The two had tacitly stopped discussing matters of the heart, adopting a more go-with-the-flow approach.

Sophie glanced at the bags cluttering his hands and asked with a smile, "Why'd you bring so much?"

Matthew slipped on the house slippers at the entrance and explained softly, "These are all things you'll need in the next few days—some for you, some for the baby."

They walked toward the living room as they talked.

Watching him unpack and introduce each item, Sophie realized just how thoughtful Matthew truly was.

He'd not only considered all the miscellaneous supplies she'd need during delivery but had even prepared tiny outfits for the baby.

"Actually, I've already stocked up on some of these in my room," Sophie said, running her fingers over a cotton baby onesie.

"I know, but you can never have too many clothes. I got sets for both boys and girls, so whatever we have will work. Oh, and Bailey picked out some too—she asked me to bring them over."

Sophie noticed he'd really gone overboard, but it was all out of care for the baby. She wasn't about to be difficult about it and accepted everything graciously.

During dinner that evening, Sophie casually asked, "I noticed you brought over all your work files. Are you planning to stay here long-term?"

Matthew nodded. "Your due date's coming up soon, isn't it? You'll need someone to look after you."

Sophie frowned at him. "But for how long? What about things back home?"

He couldn't possibly stay here with her indefinitely.

Knowing what worried her, Matthew looked up with a smile. "Don't worry—I've got people handling things back home. I made sure everything was sorted before I came."

Since he'd already made arrangements, Sophie didn't push the issue.

That night, Sophie tossed and turned, unable to sleep. For some reason, she felt a tightness in her chest that wouldn't go away.

Unable to rest, she decided to get up and take a walk in the courtyard.

But the moment she sat up in bed, she suddenly felt something break below, followed by a gush of fluid.

Her mind went blank for an instant, but she quickly snapped back to reality.

She'd read all the books—she knew her water had just broken.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to stay calm, reached for her phone on the nightstand, and quickly dialed Matthew's number.

"Matthew, are you asleep?"

"What's wrong?" His breathing came rapid through the phone, laced with tension.

"I think my water broke..." Sophie took another deep breath. "You might need to take me to the hospital."

"Okay... okay, don't panic. I'm coming right now."

Sophie set down her phone. Moments later, she heard urgent footsteps outside, followed by her door bursting open.

Matthew saw Sophie sitting on the edge of the bed, rushed over, and scooped her up in his arms.

"Why's it coming early?" he asked as he ran outside.

Sophie was already drenched in sweat from the pain. "I don't know—I should still have another week."

The baby's eagerness to arrive had caught her completely off guard.

"It's going to be fine. I'm taking you to the hospital." Matthew's expression was grave as he drove quickly but steadily to get her there.

After Sophie was wheeled into the delivery room, he paced the corridor aimlessly, momentarily forgetting what he was supposed to do.

Right—he needed to call Bailey.

Matthew pulled out his phone and dialed her number.

It was still daytime back home, so Bailey answered quickly.

"Hello?" She'd barely gotten the word out when Matthew's urgent voice came through.

"Sophie's water broke. She's at the hospital now."

"Already? Isn't she still a week out?" Bailey's voice carried clear anxiety.

Then came a flurry of noise on the other end. "Hold tight—I'm booking the next available flight."

Sophie had assumed that once her water broke, the baby would come quickly. Instead, she endured agonizing pain for a full day and night before labor truly began.

By then, she was completely drained of strength, wave after wave of pain crashing over her.

Her face was soaked with sweat, her complexion deathly pale.

Just as her vision darkened and consciousness began to slip, she vaguely made out a figure in sterile scrubs rushing toward her.

She thought she was hallucinating—until that person's hand firmly grasped her wrist, and she realized it was real.

"Sophie, don't be scared. I'm here with you." The familiar voice made Sophie pause in surprise.

She had no strength left; even her voice came out hoarse. "You... how did you get here?"

Seeing her in such agony made Bailey's eyes redden. Her voice cracked as she said, "I was planning to wrap up a few more things and come out when your due date got closer, but you went into labor early. I had to book an overnight flight."

She'd already arrived, yet Sophie was still in pain—a testament to how difficult this delivery was.

Damn Preston. This was all his fault!

Cursing him silently, she squeezed Sophie's hand tighter. "Sophie, hang in there. The baby's almost here. Matthew's waiting outside—he's worried sick, but he can't come in, so he sent me to cheer you on."

Hearing this, Sophie's lips curved into an involuntary smile.

"Thank you both."

In a foreign land, she still had two people who cared about her deeply—that was already a blessing from above.

For the baby's sake, and for the two people worried about her, she had to pull through.

Sophie bit down hard on her lip, struggling to maintain even a shred of clarity.

Meanwhile, just beyond the door in the corridor, Matthew was beside himself with worry.

She'd been in there for a day and a night, and the baby still hadn't come.

He'd never heard of anyone laboring this long. He could only hope everything would be all right.

He prayed silently.

Just then, a loud, clear cry pierced the air.

Matthew's expression tensed as he instinctively looked toward the delivery room door.

The door opened, and a nurse emerged carrying a baby wrapped in a medical blanket. Seeing Matthew's anxious face, she smiled and congratulated him: "The delivery went smoothly. Mother and baby are both safe. The mother will be out shortly."

Hearing that Sophie was safe and sound, Matthew's heart finally settled.

He'd barely relaxed for a second when the baby was placed in his arms. The nurse's smiling voice followed: "Dad, hold your baby for a moment. I'll need to take him to the incubator in a bit."

Since the baby wasn't full-term, the hospital would observe him in the incubator first.

Matthew looked down at the child in his arms. Hearing the nurse call him 'Dad' left him somewhat stunned—he forgot to correct her.

Newborns weren't particularly beautiful—all wrinkled and scrunched up—but to Matthew, this one was impossibly precious.

This was the baby Sophie had fought so hard to bring into the world.

His blue eyes shimmered with unusual light, his whole body tense as his large hands carefully supported the child.

The baby's body felt soft, almost boneless.

He was the first person to hold this little one.

"Baby, I'm your Uncle Matthew!"