Chapter 5 - The Mafia Boss Entered the Delivery Room
Two hours later, the maternity floor changed.
Nurses began whispering.
Security guards appeared near the elevators.
Then six men in dark suits stepped from the elevator.
Adrian Bellandi walked between them.
Rain covered his black overcoat.
His dark hair was wet.
The tattoos across his hands disappeared beneath his cuffs.
A hospital security officer blocked him.
“Sir, only family members—”
“I am family.”
The officer hesitated.
Matteo stepped forward.
“Mr. Bellandi—”
Adrian raised one hand.
“No problems here.”
Then he looked at the nurse.
“Claire Bennett.”
“Are you the father?”
Adrian swallowed.
“Yes.”
It was the first time he had ever said those words.
The nurse pointed toward surgery.
“They're preparing for an emergency C-section.”
Adrian's face lost its color.
“Is she alive?”
“Yes.”
“The baby?”
“She's in distress.”
She.
Adrian stared at her.
“A girl?”
The nurse nodded.
Something broke behind his eyes.
Then Claire's voice came from the room.
“Adrian?”
He walked inside.
Claire lay beneath white hospital sheets, terrified and exhausted.
For months she had imagined this moment.
In every version, Adrian was angry.
Instead, he stopped several feet from the bed.
He looked at her stomach.
Then at her.
“Five months,” he whispered.
Claire nodded.
“You carried my daughter for five months without me knowing.”
“I was afraid.”
His jaw tightened.
“Of me?”
“Yes.”
That answer hurt him.
Claire saw it.
Adrian moved closer.
“I would never hurt you.”
“I watched you order a man's death.”
“I know.”
“How was I supposed to know what you'd do when you learned I was pregnant?”
Adrian's eyes hardened.
“You thought I would hurt my own child?”
“I didn't know who you were!”
The room became silent.
Then Adrian pulled a chair beside her bed.
“I should have told you.”
“Yes.”
“I should have given you the choice before you loved me.”
“Yes.”
“I can't change that.”
“No.”
He looked toward the monitor.
“But I'm here now.”
Claire began crying.
“I'm scared.”
Adrian reached for her hand, then stopped.
He waited.
Claire stared at his hand.
Then placed hers inside it.
Adrian closed his fingers around hers.
“What happens now?” she whispered.
“Now you bring our daughter into the world.”
“And after?”
His eyes met hers.
May you like
“Afterward, you decide whether I stay.”
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