Austin's POV:
When I saw Caroline pass out, I was so scared that I didn't even care about the newborn baby.
I stumbled towards the operating table and grabbed a nurse's arm.
"Nurse, is she okay?" I asked anxiously.
"She has just fainted from exhaustion.However, we need to ask you to leave first.We need to focus on saving her right now,"
the nurse answered, jabbing a finger at the door.
I knew I had no other choice but to go out obediently and wait.
With my back against the wall, I recalled how Caroline had looked at me from the operating table just now.
All of a sudden, I felt suffocated from guilt.
I was so useless! There was nothing I could do but watch as Caroline suffered.
"Austin, how's Caroline?"
A gentle voice interrupted my thoughts.
I turned around and saw Jennifer and Anthony standing by the hall outside the operating room.
Seeing them here, I had mixed feelings.
Were they also worried about Caroline? For the longest time, Caroline and I had done everything in our power to make them suffer.
Weren't they supposed to feel happy in the face of our misfortune?
"Caroline managed to give birth to the baby, but the doctors are now trying to rescue her.I don't know if she's going to make it..."
If it were in the past, I would have cherished any moment to mock Anthony, but now, I was in no mood.
It was hard to tell whether Caroline was going to make it out of this alive, so I was too consumed with worry for her to think about anything else.
"Don't worry, Austin.Anthony has asked the best doctors to treat Caroline.She will be okay,"
Jennifer said softly in an effort to comfort me.
"Maybe all of this is my punishment from God." I laughed bitterly.
"This is all my fault.I've committed too many crimes, yet it's Caroline and our child who are reaping the retribution for my sins."
I was met with silence.
Then, I heard footsteps approaching me.
"Caroline will be fine.If it comes to it, I'll ask Roy for help.He's good with healing magic.He'll definitely be able to save Caroline's life" Anthony said, putting his hand on my shoulder.
I looked up at him in disbelief.
"What? Anthony...Why are you helping me?" I asked in a trembling voice.
"Caroline was the one who led us to Larry's residence and helped us find a way to remove the Love Curse," Anthony said simply.
"I owe her."
"But Caroline's life is in danger now."
I buried my face in my hands in despair.
"Why is God punishing my love? I'm the one who deserves to die! You should kill me, Anthony.After all, it was I who killed Father.God, please, don't let Caroline atone for my sins! I'm the one at fault! Not her!"
I knelt on the floor and cried bitterly, begging God to have mercy on my love.
I really knew I was wrong.
I was an unforgivable sinner.
I sincerely regretted everything I had done.
In that moment, I realized how much I truly needed Caroline.
It was because she loved me that she had helped Anthony find Larry in the first place.
Everything she did was for me.
Now, it was her life that was in danger.
I finally understood now that I regarded her as the love of my life I couldn't lose her.
If Caroline survived this, I swore to treat her well for the rest of my life.
Anthony's POV:
Seeing Austin in such a sorry state, I had mixed feelings.
In the past, whenever I laid my eyes on him, all I could think of was that he murdered our father.
I always wanted to avenge him and kill Austin myself.
But seeing him cry for his love, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
Jennifer was right.
No matter how heartless someone seemed, there was bound to be a soft spot in him somewhere.
"How is Caroline?"
Just then, my mother arrived.
Jennifer rushed to her side to support her, but my mother was consumed with concern for her adopted daughter.
"She is in bad shape and the doctors are trying to save her,"
Austin answered first.
"Let's go together!"
So we all headed to the nursery to look at the newborn baby through the glass window.Being a premature baby, she was lying in an incubator.
It was a small, wrinkly baby.
She was sleeping soundly in the incubator and, despite being born too early, she looked very healthy.
"Oh, my God, she's adorable,"
Austin said breathlessly, leaning against the glass window in a daze.
"She's the cutest baby in the world."
I couldn't believe my ears.
Did Austin just say that? It blew my mind, seeing that cruel and ruthless lycan so tender and affectionate.
Even Jennifer chuckled at his childish words.
Just then, a nurse ran up to us.
"Mr.Jones, you can visit Miss Wilson now," she reported breathlessly.
Hearing this, my mother and Austin were both eager to see the baby's mother.
Together, Jennifer and I helped my mother hobble back to the ward.
"Caroline!"
As soon as we entered the ward, Austin flew to Caroline's side and held her hand tightly.
Tears formed in his eyes as he smiled down at her sleeping face.
"Caroline, I'm so sorry.I've committed so many sins in the past, but God decided to punish me by making you suffer."
Austin kissed Caroline's hand affectionately.
"Honey, I promise I won't do anything bad again.I can only hope God will forgive me."
"I hope you can keep your word and turn over a new leaf," I added, overhearing Austin's vow.
"I will, Anthony.Thank you for having the best doctors take care of Caroline."
Austin spoke with unprecedented sincerity in his eyes.
Compared with the old Austin, who always did everything he could to oppose me, the Austin before me looked so strange to me.
Still, I hoped that he had truly realized his mistakes.
Anyway, Caroline was going to survive.
I found myself hoping that she and Austin could live a new, happy life together with their child.
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