So many tears, so much sweat—why are my tears still overflowing, unstoppable, flooding my vision until I can see nothing at all?
My lips trembled as I murmured, "Ca-Carl."
I had never seen Carter so frantic, so desperate. He rushed to my side like a gust of wind.
Ignoring the wailing child beside him, he cupped my face, his voice filled with remorse. "Chloe, I'm sorry."
A layer of mist clouded his dark eyes, and a few scorching tears fell onto my face. I looked at him and told him, "Carl, the baby ... There's still one more baby that hasn't been born yet ... "
Only then did he snap back to reality, turning to see the tiny infant lying in a pool of blood, umbilical cord still uncut.
"Chloe, don't be afraid. The doctor is on the way. You and the baby will be okay. The baby's already crowning, and the position is right. Just a little more effort!"
Behind him, Zoey barged in, cursing under her breath, followed by a trembling obstetrician fumbling with her instruments.
Fortunately, Carter had thought of every possible scenario. His meticulous planning was now proving to be invaluable.
Even Yael, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, had come. He looked at me with uncertainty. "Chloe, do you really not remember me?"
Zoey, seeing my current state, immediately covered his eyes with her hands.
"No peeking! Turn around. You're not allowed to look."
Yael grumbled, "But I—"
Before he could finish, Carter shot him a sharp, icy glare. "What exactly did you see?"
His bloodshot eyes still carried an unsettling, murderous intensity.
Even I felt a chill run through my body. Carter had lost so much weight, yet his presence had grown even more imposing.
His clothes were stained with blood from who-knows-where, his entire being exuding a cold, lethal aura. Yael swallowed his words and obediently turned away.
Meanwhile, Zoey had thrown herself beside me, her eyes red with tears. "My poor Chloe."
I gave her a weak smile. "I'm not dead yet. Don't start mourning me so soon."
Seeing all these familiar faces, I felt an immense sense of relief, as if their presence had given me newfound strength.
The doctor worked efficiently, cutting the umbilical cord and gently bathing the newborn.
There were no baby clothes prepared here, so Zoey took off her outer coat and wrapped the baby up snugly.
"Congrats, it's a little sister! She looks just like Chloe! She's so strong, why don't we name her Rocky?"
Yael peeked over, shaking his head. "What kind of name is that for a girl? She looks just as beautiful as Chloe. I think Susie sounds way better."
Zoey rolled her eyes. "Are you serious?!"
However, Carter didn't glance at the baby even once. He only looked at me.
Pressing a kiss to my sweat-drenched forehead, his voice was soft but firm. "Just a little more, Chloe. It's almost over. The baby is coming."
I clenched my teeth and nodded. "Yes. Soon ... our family will be together again."
Seeing me in such agony, he rolled up his sleeve and offered me his hand. "If it hurts, bite me. Let me share some of your pain."
I met his eyes, filled with guilt and remorse. He must have been torturing himself over and over these past few months.
Why did he let me go to the airport that day? If I hadn't gone, none of this would have happened.
He couldn't truly feel my pain, but he was willing to do anything he could.
I looked down at my stomach. Wasn't I just giving birth? But my belly was flat—no blood, no baby's cries.
Panic seized me. Was this not a dream? Was this the afterlife?
Where was Carter? Where were my children?
I only knew their genders. I had seen their blurry faces during the ultrasound, their tiny, indistinct features. And yet, I had stared at that image over and over again.
I wanted—more than anything—to see my children with my own eyes.
I hadn't even named them yet. Hadn't told them how much their mother loved them.
Hadn't told Carter not to blame them, to love them with all his heart.
Before I lost consciousness, I could still remember everything so clearly. If I died, Carter wouldn't just fail to love them, but he might even resent them.
If not for them, I wouldn't have died.
A suffocating fear overtook me. I had no idea what was happening now.
I had only one thought—I had to find them.
Even if I shattered to pieces, I had to see them one more time.
I didn't know how long I ran. Didn't know how many times I called out.
My throat was hoarse, my legs weak, my body staggering forward.
Then, suddenly, the scene before me changed.
I was in a clean, spacious hospital room. Side by side in a crib lay two tiny babies.
I saw Zoey, her face clouded with worry. I rushed toward her, calling out, "Zoey! I'm back!"
Laughter had always bubbled from her, so why was her smile absent now?
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