Chapter 2 - The Delivery
Ethan Carter felt like a hero as the paramedic wrapped a bandage around Claire’s ankle.
He had carried her out of that terrifying elevator just in time.
She had been crying, clinging to his neck, whispering how scared she was.
It made him feel protective, strong, and completely needed.
"You are going to be just fine, Claire," Ethan said smoothly.
He patted her shoulder, ignoring the heavy guilt sitting in his chest.
He knew he needed to go find Amelia.
He had seen his pregnant wife sitting on the floor, looking pale and exhausted.
But he figured the other paramedics had already taken care of her.
Amelia was strong, independent, and never made a fuss about anything.
Claire was delicate, and she had practically begged him not to let her go.
"Excuse me, Lieutenant Carter."
Ethan turned around, expecting to see his fire chief.
Instead, he saw a rookie firefighter he barely recognized.
It was Noah Reed, standing perfectly still under the harsh lobby lights.
Noah’s uniform was dirty, and his face was grim and unreadable.
"What is it, Reed?" Ethan asked, suddenly feeling a strange spike of anxiety.
Noah did not say a word at first.
He just stared at Ethan, his eyes filled with absolute disgust.
"Where is my wife?" Ethan demanded, his patience wearing thin.
"Did they take her to a quiet room to rest?"
Noah took a slow, deliberate step forward.
"They took her to the trauma center at Memorial Hospital in an ambulance with its sirens blaring," Noah said coldly.
Ethan felt the breath get knocked out of his lungs.
"Trauma center?" Ethan choked out, his eyes widening in pure horror.
"Why would she need a trauma center?"
"Because she was actively bleeding, sir," Noah replied, his voice echoing loudly.
"Because she is thirty-one weeks pregnant, and the immense stress caused her to go into premature labor."
Ethan stepped back as if he had been physically struck in the chest.
He looked at Claire, who was suddenly very quiet, and then back to Noah.
"No, that cannot be right," Ethan stammered, panic finally setting in.
"She was just sitting there, she looked completely fine!"
Noah reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, glittering object.
He held it up so the lobby lights caught the diamond.
Ethan recognized it instantly.
It was the ring he had placed on Amelia’s finger six years ago in the rain.
"She asked me to give this to you," Noah said, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper.
Noah pressed the ring firmly into Ethan's trembling palm.
"She told me to give it to you when you finally realized who you left behind."
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Noah turned around and walked away, leaving Ethan standing completely frozen.
The ring felt like a piece of burning coal in his hand.
