Chapter 10 - Chapter Ten breaths in life Breaths last

CHAPTER Ten— Victorine 's breaths came in sharp, trembling gasps. "Another contraction, Victorine . Breathe through it," Juliana urged, holding her hand tightly. "I… I can't… it hurts so much," Victorine cried, sweat dripping down her temples. Her fingers clutched Juliana 's hand with all the strength she had. "You're doing brilliantly," Juliana said, voice firm but gentle. "Focus on the babies, darling. They need you." "I… I just…" Victorine sobbed, arching slightly with the pain. "I can't… I can't…" "You can, Liv. You're strong. Remember everything you've carried already. This is the last stretch," Juliana whispered. The room smelled of antiseptic, the hum of machines surrounding them. Doctors and nurses moved swiftly but calmly, adjusting monitors and checking vitals. Victorine squeezed Juliana 's hand harder. "I… I don't know if I can—" "Shh. Look at me," Juliana said softly. "You can. Focus on the little ones. Think of them." The first twin emerged with a soft cry. Victorine 's tears mingled with sweat as she let out a shuddering breath. "They're here, Liv," Juliana whispered, brushing Victorine 's damp hair from her forehead. "Your baby… your little miracle." "I… I see… I can't believe it… they're safe…" Victorine sobbed again, relief flooding her in waves. The second twin followed moments later, also crying. Victorine 's chest heaved. "Both… both of them… safe…" "Yes," Juliana said, smiling through her own tears. "Both safe. You did it, darling. You did it." Doctors moved quickly, checking the twins. Juliana frowned. "Wait… we don't have the drugs for them." A nurse gasped. "We need them immediately, or the babies could—" Juliana 's eyes hardened. "I'll get them. Don't panic." "No, Juliana , don't—" Alex began, but Juliana shook her head firmly. "I have to," she said. "It's my responsibility. You stay here." Victorine , exhausted but aware, murmured weakly, "Juliana … go. Please… save them." Juliana nodded, leaving the room quickly. Alex's hand hovered over the doorknob. "You shouldn't go," Victorine whispered between gasps. "I'll be back," Juliana said sharply, but the urgency in her eyes made him pause. Alex sat frozen in the delivery room, his phone still pressed to his ear. "Sir… we don't know exactly what happened," the voice on the line stammered. "It's… it's bad. Your wife…" "No, no, no…" Alex muttered, voice cracking. He looked at Victorine , pale but still breathing, twins wrapped safely beside her. Relief and panic clashed in his chest. "Alex, focus," a nurse said gently, but firmly. "Your wife—Victorine —is fine. The babies are fine. You need to focus on them now." Alex shook his head. "I… I can't… she… my wife…" His hand shook over the twins, tears threatening to fall. Victorine , weak but aware, reached up, her voice soft. "Alex… the babies… they're safe… thanks to Juliana . She went to get the medicine…" "She went… where?" Alex asked sharply, panic rising. "She had to…" Victorine whispered. "She knew what to do… she's… she's a lady who can handle it…" The nurse nodded. "Juliana left quickly. She has the drugs. We trust her." Alex's phone buzzed again. Another call from the hospital. He answered, his hands trembling. "Sir… it's your wife's driver… the road… there's been—" "Stop!" Alex shouted. His heart was hammered. He turned back to Victorine . "Are you sure you're okay?" Victorine managed a weak nod, sweat still clinging to her skin, eyes half-closed. "Yes… the babies… alive… that's all that matters…" Alex exhaled shakily. "And then… they're alive?" "Yes," she said softly, smiling faintly despite her exhaustion. "Twins… strong… healthy… thanks to Juliana ." He swallowed hard, looking at the tiny, perfect faces of the twins. "God… thank you… thank you…" The nurse kept watch, gently adjusting Victorine 's blanket. "She needs rest. Focus on recovery." Alex looked around, voice low. "Where… where's Juliana now?" No one answered immediately. The air was tense. Every second felt like hours. Meanwhile, somewhere on a deserted road, Juliana 's car sped, the vial clutched tightly in her hand. She knew the babies' lives depended on it. Sweat trickled down her forehead. Her heart raced. She didn't look back, didn't slow, just pressed forward, determined to save the tiny lives entrusted to her. Back at the hospital, Alex's hand gripped his phone tighter. Another call, another message. And then… silence. Sweat still clung to her skin, and her voice was hoarse from crying, but relief mingled with exhaustion. She whispered to herself, "They're alive… they're alive…" The room slowly calmed. Nurses moved the twins to warmers, checking vitals. Victorine 's hands shook as she tried to reach them. Alex held his phone, frowning as it rang repeatedly. He answered, voice tense. "Hello?" A sharp, trembling voice came through. "Sir… your wife… there's been… a ghastly accident…" The words hit him like ice. He froze, staring at the blank screen in horror. Victorine , unaware, closed her eyes weakly, breathing shallow but steady, twins safe beside her. Juliana 's car sped into the distance, the road ahead empty but urgent. Her hand clutched the small vial, the only thing standing between life and death for the twins. The phone line buzzed again in Alex's hand. His knuckles whitened as the words sank in. Bam. Everything changed. And just like that… game over.