Adrian’s heart shattered as he dropped to his knees, voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to
“You didn’t mean to do this?” Selene pointed to the white gown sealed inside a glass case, marred with dark red blood. Adrian’s face went pale as he looked at it. “Don’t worry, Adrian. They were going to take that gown for the wardens‘ inspection to test for poison, but I told them it was an accident,” Selene’s voice choked with thick emotion, tears streaming down her face. “You’ve won this time too. I know how powerful you are, even able to bribe wardens–so I saved you the trouble. Here is your prize.” She picked up the glass case and handed it to Adrian, who stared in absolute horror.
“The blood of your children and mine.”
“Selene! NO!” The case slipped from Adrian’s trembling arms and shattered.
“Please, don’t say this! Forgive me, Selene!” Adrian pleaded.
“Forgive you?” Selene rasped, voice weakening each second. “After everything you’ve done? You tried to-” When Adrian rose and moved forward to calm her, she flinched, wide–eyed, clutching Damien as tremors shook her body. The sight of Adrian made her recoil; hands instinctively covered the swollen curve of her belly while Damien
steadied her.
Adrian bowed his head, hands shaking. “I know, Selene. I don’t deserve it. I’m at monster. But please, Selene, I… I didn’t realize what I’d done until it was too late.”
Her breathing quickened, chest heaving. You didn’t realize?” she spat.
“I want to congratulate you, Adrian. You wanted to make my life hell, right? That was your vow when I married you–you have succeeded.” The accusation struck Adrian like a physical blow; he clutched his chest.
“I was wrong, Selene. I was blinded by Cassandra. She led me astray. My hatred and jealousy were stoked by lies about your chastity,” he protested.
“Chastity?” Selene’s eyes widened; tears spilled over. “You bastard! You cheated on me! And now, after divorce, you still try to control my life? I will be with who I choose!” “You are mine, Selene–my wife. Give me a chance and I will make it right. Come back to me,” Adrian begged.
“Shut up! Don’t you dare come near her!” Damien roared, glaring at Adrian.
“A madman like you deserves to rot for what you did! You ruined Selene’s life and you dare speak of making things right?” Damien spat.
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dare speak of making things right?” Damien spat.
“Make it right?” Selene whispered, voice trembling. “You think you can undo this? Take back the fear, the pain…” Her voice broke; her head fell back, face a mask of anguish. A violent pain seized her; she gasped and then screamed, clutching her stomach. “Selene!” Adrian shouted, panic overtaking desperation.
“Selene!” Damien caught her, pushing Adrian roughly aside as he tried to take her from his arms. “Enough of your foolishness! Can’t you see she’s in agony? Or do you want to kill her, you monster?” Damien’s voice thundered; Adrian froze, bloodshot eyes wide. Selene cried out as Damien’s trembling hands cupped her face. “Selene, hold on. Please, stay with me. Help! Someone help!” Healers, alerted by the commotion, rushed into the ward. One gently pulled Damien back. “Sir, we need room to work.”
Damien stumbled outside, still watching Selene, as the healers hurried. Adrian hovered nearby, fists clenched, eyes wild with fear.
A healer returned moments later, expression grave. “Miss Selene’s condition is critical. She is in shock and will likely deliver prematurely. We cannot guarantee the lives of both pups or Miss Selene.”
“She will live.” Moira, frail but resolute, prayed softly and stared at the healer with fierce eyes. “My Selene is strong. She will not die, nor will her pups. Do what is necessary–I will sit and pray.”
Adrian’s legs gave out; he slid down the wall and watched in stunned silence as Moira signed the consent documents for the procedure. Damien stood motionless, eyes
bloodshot.
Hours crawled by until a nurse returned with a conflicted smile. Damien rushed forward, heart hammering.
“Sir, Selene is alive and we saved one of the two sons,” the nurse said, hesitating. “. the other child was stillborn.”
“No!” Adrian lunged but Moira stepped between him and the entrance. “You have done enough harm,” she said quietly. “My child went into shock because of you. Stay away. Those pups are Selene’s–your title as father was lost when you tried to kill them.”
Adrian stood frozen as Damien entered with Moira, who wept softly.
Selene’s eyes fluttered open. Damien, tears in his own eyes, placed one tiny, wailing pup gently into her arms. The newborn’s cry filled the room and a fragile laugh escaped Selene.
“My baby. Mother loves you.” She kissed the pup’s forehead and looked to Damien with
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“She will live.” Moira, frail but resolute, prayed softly and stared at the healer with fierce eyes. “My Selene is strong. She will not die, nor will her pups. Do what is necessary–I will sit and pray.”
Adrian’s legs gave out; he slid down the wall and watched in stunned silence as Moira signed the consent documents for the procedure. Damien stood motionless, eyes bloodshot.
Hours crawled by until a nurse returned with a conflicted smile. Damien rushed forward, heart hammering.
“Sir, Selene is alive and we saved one of the two sons,” the nurse said, hesitating.“.. the other child was stillborn.”
“No!” Adrian lunged but Moira stepped between him and the entrance. “You have done enough harm,” she said quietly.
Those pups are Selene’s–your title Child went into shock because of you. Stay away.
as father was lost when you tried to kill them.”
Adrian stood frozen as Damien entered with Moira, who wept softly.
Selene’s eyes fluttered open. Damien, tears in his own eyes, placed one tiny, wailing pup gently into her arms. The newborn’s cry filled the room and a fragile laugh escaped Selene.
“My baby. Mother loves you.” She kissed the pup’s forehead and looked to Damien with pleading.
“It’s all right, Damien. I can hold both. Let me see the other,” Selene whispered.
Damien’s heart was shattered by the news. “Selene-” he began.
“Please, Damien.” As the other infant was brought, Selene’s smile faded; the second child lay quiet and still.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.