The Doctor sighed, adjusting his white cloak and every second that passed before he spoke, my heartbeat accelerated.
“The haemorrhaging was triggered by physical trauma and severe stress. You….” He said, but I interjected. I was too impatient. Too worried.
"But... the baby...?"
"The baby is holding on," he gave me a small smile and I sighed in relief.
"The heartbeat is strong, but you're in the danger zone. Absolutely no stress, zero shocks, and no heavy lifting. If you bleed again, we might not save the pregnancy." He added and I let out a choked sob.
"Thank you. Oh, thank you." I placed my hand on my chest.
"Does your husband know?" he probed and I shook my head frantically.
“No. Please, don't tell him. Things are chaotic at home. I need to tell him when the timing is right. When things are stable."
He nodded. "Understood. Patient confidentiality applies, but you must rest."
The doctor exited.
Seconds later, Zyran slipped back inside. He looked visibly relieved now that the doctor was gone.
"He said you just need rest," Zyran murmured, claiming the edge of my mattress. "He said you're exhausted and the fall triggered a shock."
He leaned forward, pressing a warm kiss to my forehead. "I'm so sorry, Roosevelt. I should've listened about the stairs. I was just overwhelmed with the Mina situation."
"Speaking of Mina," I rasped, pulling back. "Where is she?"
Zyran sighed heavily. "She's in the waiting room. She refused to leave."
"Zyran, who is she really?" I pressed. "You said she was an old friend, but..."
He stared at his hands and I patiently waited for him to talk.
"We were close in college. Best friends. Then she met a guy. They were together for three years. I never heard from her. I assumed she was happy." He said, but a part of me felt like he was concealing some information.
He met my gaze, his eyes pooling with pity.
“She called tonight for the first time in years. She was screaming that her apartment was burning. She claimed she had nobody else."
"But why call you?" I challenged. "Why not the police?"
"Because of her ex," Zyran muttered darkly. "She left him a year ago, but..."
Suddenly, the hospital door banged open.
Mina burst inside. Still wearing that filthy slip dress, she looked unhinged, clutching a smartphone in her trembling hand.
"Zyran!" she shrieked and Zyran bolted upright.
“Mina? What is it?"
Mina threw herself at him, her manicured nails digging into his bicep. She shot me a look, then turned to Zyran. Her eyes were blown wide with frantic panic.
"He found me," she whimpered, her voice quaking. "My ex... he knows I'm here." Zyran frowned. "How? The fire..."
"He sent a text," Mina choked out. She shoved the screen toward Zyran's face and I rolled my eyes. I could never take her seriously after she pushed me.
She was nothing different from her ex. .
"He said he saw you carry a woman out of the house. He thinks... he thinks I'm your wife." Mina went on and Zyran went rigidly still.
"What?"
Mina looked at me, a twisted fear masking her features.
"He thinks Roosevelt is me," Mina whispered. "And he says he's coming to the hospital to finish what he started in the fire,
"He thinks I'm you?" I rasped, my voice trembling and my hand instinctively going to my belly. A chill swept the room. I eyed the door, half-expecting someone to kick it down. Zyran's expression hardened. He snatched his phone and punched in a number.
"Security," he barked. "Lockdown. I want four guards at my wife's door immediately, and sweep the lot." He hung up and faced Mina. She was violently shivering, hugging herself.
"Sit down, Mina," Zyran ordered gently. "He won't touch her, and he won't touch you."
"I'm so sorry, Zyran. "I never meant to drag your family into this mess. I should just leave. Let him find me." Mina sobbed and I felt my skin crawl. I could see through her mask.
She didn’t care. In fact, I was sure she just used everything going on as an opportunity to get closer to Zyrain. I was a woman in love with my husband and I have been desperate for his attention ever since we got married.
So I could tell when someone else was acting the same way.
"Don't be ridiculous," Zyran chided, squeezing her shoulder. "You aren't going anywhere. You're family." I stared at him, bewildered. "Family?"
Zyran met my gaze, his eyes grave.
"Roosevelt. I didn't have time to explain earlier. Mina isn't just a college friend. We grew up on the same block, before reuniting in college. She's known me since I was five." He explained, then he shot Mina a protective glance.
"She used to play with my older sister, Clara. My mother loves Mina like a daughter. If anything happened to her, my mother would never forgive me."
A hollow ache bloomed in my chest. I knew Zyran's mother was ruthless. She rarely even smiled at me. But she loved Mina?
"I had no idea," I whispered.
"There's a lot you don't know," Zyran sighed, sounding exhausted. "But I promised my family I would always look out for her. I keep my promises."
Suddenly, a commotion echoed from the corridor.
"Move! Get out of my way!" a feminine voice shrieked.
The door banged open. A woman with crimson hair stormed in, wearing mismatched sneakers and an oversized coat.
It was Nixie, my best friend.
"Roosevelt!" Nixie yelled. Ignoring Zyran, she sprinted to my bed and cupped my face.
“I saw the news! Someone posted a picture of Zyran carrying you into the ER! Are you okay? Tell me you're okay!"
"I'm fine, Nix." I managed a weak smile. “It was just... a fall."
Nixie exhaled sharply, crushing me in a hug. Then she pulled back, shooting a lethal glare at Zyran.
"You!" she spat, jabbing a finger toward his chest. "You're supposed to protect her, Mr Billionaire! How does she fall down the stairs on your anniversary?"
Zyran crossed his arms. "It was an accident, Nixie. Keep your voice down."
Nixie's eyes narrowed. She glanced past Zyran and spotted Mina cowering in the corner, looking pathetic in her ruined dress.
"Who's the stray?" Nixie demanded bluntly.
"This is Mina," Zyran intercepted, shielding Mina from Nixie's view. "She's a guest. She's had a rough night."
Nixie appraised Mina. Nixie had a sixth sense for bullshit, and her eyes instantly narrowed. "Mina," Nixie drawled slowly, "why are you wearing Roosevelt's robe?"
Mina flinched, looking up at Zyran with huge, teary eyes. "My clothes burned. Zyran gave it to me."
"Nixie, drop it," I pleaded softly. I didn't have the energy for a brawl. "Mina is in danger. Her ex is hunting her."
"And now he's targeting Roosevelt," Zyran added grimly.
Nixie's face drained of colour. She looked at me, then the door. "Wait. You're telling me that because of her drama, my best friend has a target on her back?"
"I'm handling it," Zyran stated. "I'm relocating both of them to the safe house tonight. It's an absolute fortress."
"The safe house?" I echoed. "But Zyran. I just want to go home."
"Home isn't secure, Roosevelt," Zyran replied firmly. "That address is public. The safe house is our only option."
He strode to the window, peering through the blinds. His spine suddenly went rigid. "Damn it," Zyran swore.
"What?" I asked, my pulse spiking.
Zyran turned. His face was pure stone.
"Security just radioed," he said. "A black van rammed the hospital gate. Masked men are spilling out." He looked at me, then at Mina.
"He's here."