<b>Chapter </b><b>583 </b>


    Sierra.


    I wake to a dull ache low in my stomach. At first, it’s faint, something I can almost ignore, but the longer <b>I </b>lie still, the sharper it feels.


    It feels like a cramp. Like the ones I got during my periods. My hand instinctively goes to my abdomen,


    pressing lightly, as if that alone could soothe it, and I give it time to ease. Maybe I slept in the wrong


    position or something.


    I don’t want to but my mind drifts tost night. I still can’t believe that he would show up, pounding on


    my door in the middle of the night. Who does that? What the hell has gotten into him? Does me having


    this baby bother him so much he can’t even think straight? Can’t think of the consequences if someone


    had filmed him or reporters got wind of this?


    I can’t forget how his voice wasced with fury or how his eyes burned with hatred right before I mmed the door in his face. I haven’t asked him to be in the baby’s life; I actually want him out of it, so why does he insist on getting rid of my baby?


    Is this about his guilt because he thinks he betrayed Chloe, or is there something more? At first, I thought


    it was because he hated me, but does that hate extend to his own flesh and blood?


    Before I can spiral into my thoughts, another cramp seizes me. This one makes me wince. It twists and then fades, but not without leaving a trail of unease behind.


    I push myself out of bed, moving slowly toward the bathroom, all the while clutching my stomach. Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe it’s just the stress catching up to me. But when I sit down to pee and nce at my panties, the sight of blood makes my heart stop.


    “No…” My voice cracks. My world tilting for a second.


    Panic ms into me so hard I nearly stumble as I stand. My legs tremble and my breathes fast. Before I know it, I’m half–running out of the bathroom, fumbling for my phone on the nightstand. My fingers shake as I dial the clinic’s number.


    “Hello? Yes–it’s Sierra Meyers…” My voice is rushed and uneven, but I force myself to exin over the panic. “I woke up cramping. And there’s blood. Please, can I see someone? I-<b>” </b>


    The receptionist’s calm tone grounds me. “Don’t panic, Sierra. I’m sure it’s nothing serious, but I can book an appointment for the next hour… Is that okay?”


    “Yes, I’ll take it. Thank you. Thank you.” My voice trembles as I answer.


    “Perfect then,” she says. “I’ll see you in an hour and please drive safely.”


    The call ends, and I don’t waste a second. I don’t even think about showering. I yank on the first clothes I


    “Mother’s instincts,” he says as a way of exnation.


    He stares at me for a while before continuing. “What you experienced can happen for many reasons. Sometimes it’s just the body adjusting. Sometimes stress ys a big role. But there’s no sign of danger to your baby right now. What I want you to focus on is rest, keeping yourself calm, and avoiding unnecessary stress as much as possible.”


    I nod quickly, relief flooding every part of me. “I’ll try. I–I promise I’ll try.”


    Damn it! That will be a hard promise to keep, especially with Noah breathing down my neck like a fucking dragon. Maybe I should really consider moving.


    He offers another reassuring smile. “You’re not alone in this. And you’re stronger than you think.”


    Something about the way he says it makes warmth bloom in my chest. I blink at him, swallowing back the lump in my throat. “I almost went crazy thinking that I was losing my baby.”


    “It normal. It your first time being pregnant and anything out of the normal would worry you.”


    I smile as I pull my sweater down and get down from the examination bed. “Really, thank you. For this


    and for that day, when you… when you pulled me back from the car.”


    His smile deepens, though he shakes his head like it’s nothing. “Anyone would have done the same.”


    “Not anyone,” I say quietly, holding his gaze for a moment longer.


    The silence lingers, not heavy but… steady andfortable. Finally, I force myself to rise, giving him a grateful smile. “Thank you again, Dr. Adrian.”


    Seriously? Why was I thanking him so much? I’m starting to feel a bit embarrassed.


    “It’s always my pleasure to help,” he replies warmly.


    “Bye, take care and see you on my next appointment.” I leave so fast after those words, you’d think the


    devil was on my trail.


    I pay my bill and step outside, the cool air brushing my face. For the first time all morning, I feel like I can breathe again.


    But as I drive home, the relief dulls into guilt. In my panic, I left without feeding my sweet girl. I step harder on the gas, eager to get home to make sure he’s okay.


    Pulling into the driveway, I’m already rehearsing how I’ll spoil her with extra treats. But when I climb out of the car and turn toward my house, I stop dead in my tracks.


    Standing at my doorstep looking like she owns the ce is Brook.