C195 They Are Safe

The driver glanced into the rear-view mirror before pressing harder on the accelerator. "Boss..." "I'm taking the fastest route." The powerful engine roared. Traffic lights turned red. The driver didn't hesitate. With emergency lights flashing and the horn sounding repeatedly, he carefully pushed through every intersection. Several drivers quickly made way after recognizing the Police Minister's official vehicle.

Minutes later... The hospital finally appeared. The Range Rover screeched to a halt outside the emergency entrance. Before the vehicle had completely stopped. Mark was already opening the rear door. "Help!" "My daughter!" Medical staff immediately rushed outside. Nurses quickly wheeled over a stretcher. "What happened?" "She's bleeding!" "Prepare Emergency Theatre Three!" Alicia was carefully transferred onto the stretcher. The medical team immediately disappeared through the emergency doors.

Just then... Our vehicle arrived. I barely waited for it to stop before jumping out. "Alicia!" Ignoring everyone around me, I sprinted toward the emergency ward. The automatic doors closed before I could reach them. I stood there helplessly. Unable to do anything. Moments later... Peter, Georgia and the others caught up. Mark remained standing beside me. His eyes never left the emergency room doors. No one sat down. No one suggested resting. Every passing second felt painfully slow.

Nearly an hour passed. The hallway remained eerily quiet. Then. The emergency room doors finally opened. Everyone immediately stood. A familiar figure slowly walked out wearing a surgical mask. It was Aunt Valeria. She slowly removed her mask before taking a deep breath. Without thinking, I rushed toward her. "Aunt Valeria!" "What happened?" "How's Alicia?" "Is she alright?" My voice shook uncontrollably.

Valeria looked at every anxious face surrounding her. Then... A gentle smile slowly appeared on her face. Seeing her smile... Everyone froze. Even Peter, who had been silently praying the entire time, stared at her in disbelief. Finally... Valeria spoke. "She was extremely fortunate." "You all brought her here just in time." Mark immediately stepped forward. "You mean..." "My daughter is safe?" Valeria nodded warmly. "Yes." "They're safe."

For a brief moment... Nobody understood what she meant. Georgia blinked several times. "...They?" "What do you mean..." "...they're safe?" Valeria smiled even wider. "There are two patients." The corridor became completely silent. Then Georgia suddenly gasped. "Wait..." She looked directly at Valeria. "...Is Alicia..." "...pregnant?" The words exploded inside my mind like thunder. Pregnant? My wife... is pregnant? I stared blankly at Valeria. Unable to process what I'd just heard.

Then everything suddenly became clear. The dizziness... Her exhaustion... Her unusual appetite... The sudden collapse... Without another thought, I rushed toward the ward. "My wife!" Before I could enter. Two nurses gently stopped me. "Sir." "Please." "She has only just fallen asleep." "Her body needs rest." "You can't go in yet." I looked at them desperately. "But..." "My wife..." One of the nurses smiled reassuringly. "She's stable." "The doctor simply wants her to recover first."

I slowly turned back toward Valeria. My heart pounded wildly. "Aunt..." "Please tell me." "...Is it true?" Valeria looked directly into my eyes. Then slowly nodded. "Yes." "Congratulations." "You're going to be a father." I felt the world stop. "A..." "...Father?" The word barely left my mouth. Valeria continued gently, "The baby is still very small." "Based on our examination..." "We estimate the pregnancy is only about one to two weeks."

She paused before her expression became serious. "However..." "Today's emotional shock placed significant stress on both mother and baby." "Fortunately..." "The pregnancy remains stable." "But from today onward..." "You must all be extremely careful." She looked at me first. Then at Mark. "No unnecessary stress." "No overworking." "And absolutely no situations that could emotionally overwhelm her again." "If something similar happens..." "...there is a real risk of miscarriage."

The happiness that had just filled the corridor immediately became mixed with concern. I slowly lowered my head. "I understand." "I'll protect them." Valeria smiled softly. "I know you will." Behind me... Peter suddenly laughed. It wasn't a loud laugh. It was one of pure relief. He wiped away tears before looking toward the ceiling. "Oh..." "My child..." "You frightened this old man." "I thought..." "...I was about to lose you."

He smiled through tears. "But Heaven has blessed our family." "We're going to welcome another little member." Georgia burst into tears again. This time... They were tears of joy. Mark quietly covered his face. His shoulders shook slightly. "My daughter..." "Thank you..." "You've given your father the greatest gift." Everyone embraced one another. Only moments ago... They had been preparing themselves for tragedy. Now... They were celebrating new life.

The joyful atmosphere in the corridor gradually settled. Although everyone was smiling now, traces of the fear they had experienced only moments earlier still lingered on their faces. Peter slowly looked toward Mark. His expression became serious once more. "Mark." Mark turned to his father. "Yes, Dad?" Peter sighed softly before speaking. "Today's incident has reminded me of something."

He glanced toward the ward where Alicia was resting. "Our child is no longer a little girl." "She has grown." "And now..." A faint smile appeared on his face. "...she is going to become a mother." Everyone instinctively looked toward the ward. Peter continued, "We can no longer keep the past hidden from her." "The more we hide it..." "...the more dangerous it becomes."

Mark slowly lowered his head. "I know." He clenched his fists. "When she stepped into that room..." "...she remembered things none of us expected." "The memories are already returning." Georgia nodded sadly. "She recognized the study." "She even remembered her mother." Her eyes became moist again. "Perhaps..." "...her heart has remembered what her mind tried to forget."

Peter looked at the three of them before speaking with quiet determination. "No more lies." "No more hiding." "When Alicia is strong enough..." "...we will tell her everything." "The truth about Gabriella." "The truth about Malice." "And..." "The truth behind their deaths." Mark slowly nodded. "Yes." "It's time." I stood quietly beside them. Although I heard every word... I chose not to interrupt. This was their family's pain. When the time came... I would stand beside Alicia. No matter what truth awaited us.