Chapter 253: Her Baby (Part 1)
“I’ll call the head nurse right away!” the young nurse said, voice shaking.
Jack’s tone stayed controlled. “Bring me the original IV bottle. Don’t interrupt the drip—just take a sample of the fluid for testing. I want the results immediately.”
“Y-yes, Mr. Winston.”
The nurse replaced the IV on Alison’s other arm and drew a vial of the yellow fluid for the lab.
Alison lay still, her skin drained of all color.
When the doctor finished his quick check, Jack’s voice trembled. “Doctor, is something wrong with her?”
“Her vitals are stable,” the doctor replied. “We can’t identify any issue yet. But we’ll need the IV sample results. Unfortunately, the lab’s closed for the night—you’ll have them tomorrow morning.”
“No. I need them now,” Jack cut in.
The doctor hesitated. “That’s… difficult—”
“Call them in,” Jack ordered, his eyes cold and wild. “Tell them it’s an emergency case — test it now.”
“All right, Mr. Winston… but please, calm yourself. The mother’s condition seems stable. As for the fetus—” The doctor stopped mid-sentence, glancing at Jack’s expression before quickly backing out of the room.
Rage surged through Jack’s chest, boiling hot and blinding.
He wanted to hold her hand, to tell her everything would be fine, yet he couldn’t stand still. He paced the ward like a caged animal.
At last, he strode to the nurses’ station, tension carved deep into his face.
“Are the IV test results back yet?” he demanded.
“The lab tech’s running it now, sir. About ten minutes,” the nurse replied nervously.
“Tell me the second they’re ready!” Jack barked.
Back in the room, Alison slept on — paler, her brow creased as if trapped in a nightmare.
Ten minutes crawled by. Then the results came.
The doctor appeared at the doorway. “Mr. Winston, a word, please.”
Jack’s pulse thundered. He stepped out. “What did you find?”
“Poison,” the doctor whispered, flinching as though he might explode.
“And Alison?” Jack’s voice cracked.
“The IV was only just started, so the amount entering her bloodstream was minimal,” the doctor said carefully. “She should recover… but the fetus—” She hesitated. “I advise terminating. Exposure to that toxin may cause severe defects.”
Jack lunged forward, fisting the doctor’s collar. “Save both of them,” he growled through his teeth.
“Mr. Winston,” the doctor warned, voice steadying, “the baby could be severely impaired.”
Jack’s vision blurred. He staggered back against the wall, torn apart, his mind a blank roar.
“Give me until morning,” he said hoarsely. “I’ll decide then.”
“Please decide soon,” the doctor urged. “Miss Fairchild’s IV contains hormones to maintain the pregnancy. If you don’t continue treatment, we should stop the drip — it’s taxing her system.”
“All right,” Jack muttered, turning away. His steps felt like lead.
He sank beside her bed, staring at her sleeping face.
The door slid open behind him — Aidan rolled in, pale but determined.
Jack spun around, ready to strike.
When he saw who it was, he froze.
They locked eyes — a long, silent standoff — until Aidan spoke first. “Jack… I’m sorry.”
“Why?” Jack asked, his voice low and raw.
“It’s my fault Alison was hurt. All of this… it’s because of me,” Aidan said quietly. Jack didn’t move — he’d already pieced together the truth.
“Aidan, you’re still recovering. Don’t take this on yourself,” Jack said. “I’ll handle things. I’ll take care of her.”
Aidan shook his head. “My memory’s back. I remember everything — and I know she loves you. I shouldn’t have held onto her the way I did. I’m sorry.”
Jack blinked. “Your memory… really came back?”
“Yes,” Aidan said softly. “When I saw her covered in blood, everything came rushing back. I yelled at her before — she didn’t deserve that. She did nothing wrong… I’m sorry.”