The tires screeched as the Riverson convoy raced through the slick streets of Manhattan, cutting through the rain like thunder. Mark sat in the back of the SUV with Aurora leaning against him, her face contorted in pain, sweat beading on her forehead.
Her breathing was uneven. Her grip on his shirt was tight. Aurora, just breathe… I'm right here," he whispered, brushing the damp hair from her face.
"I'm— I'm scared, Mark," she whimpered, clutching her belly. "It hurts… it hurts so much…" His heart shattered at the sound.
"I know, baby… just hold on, we're almost there." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "You're doing great, okay? You're so strong. Just breathe with me…" Then suddenly—
Splash.
Aurora gasped. "Oh my God… Mark my water… my water just broke—"
Mark's eyes widened as he looked down and saw the spreading wetness. "Drive faster!" he barked to the driver, panic surging in his voice.
William and Kim were in the other car behind them, but at that moment, it was just Mark, Aurora, and the weight of everything unsaid.
"I didn't want this…" she cried softly. "To be like this. Me in labor, you just coming back…"
Mark's arms tightened around her. "Aurora, listen to me… I never stopped loving you. Not for a second." She let out a sharp cry from another contraction.
"I know… I know you didn't kill Jake," she said through tears. "It wasn't your bullet. But you wanted him dead… that's what hurt me. That's what scared me." He said nothing. There was nothing to say.
Only his silence and her pain filled the space.
But then she reached up and cupped his face, her hand trembling. "But I forgive you, Mark." His breath hitched.
"I forgive you," she repeated, voice breaking. "Because I love you. And I need you… right now… please don't leave me." He kissed her palm, voice raw. "You have me. Forever."
The car skidded to a stop in front of the hospital. Nurses were already waiting with a gurney, alerted in advance by William's private medical team. Mark tried to follow as they rushed Aurora out of the car, but a nurse held up her hand.
"Sir, you can't come inside the delivery room."
"What? No, she wants me there I have to be there!"
"I know," the doctor approached, removing his gloves. "But this is a high-risk delivery. We've reviewed her medical history. Three years ago, she battled cancer. Her body is still fragile she was advised not to carry a pregnancy to term, yet here we are. We're expecting complications. We'll need specialists inside. It's not safe to crowd the room."
Mark's world tilted.
Aurora clutched the stretcher rails as they paused briefly in the hallway. Her eyes locked on Mark's, wide with fear. "Please don't leave," she pleaded. "Please…"
He stepped forward, clasping her hand before they rolled her away. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here. You hear me? When you open your eyes, I'll be the first face you see. I promise." Tears slipped down her cheeks as she nodded.
The doors swung closed, and Mark stood frozen. Behind that sterile wall, the woman he loved the woman carrying his child was fighting for her life. He collapsed into the nearby chair, hands in his hair, silent.
William and Kim rushed in moments later. Gianna stood in a corner, praying under her breath. Zayn paced anxiously, his eyes never leaving the swinging doors. And Mark? He never stopped staring at the clock. Time had never moved slower.