Updated Mar 22, 2026 • ~2 min read
Chapter 24: Pregnancy Complication
MAREN
Week thirty-six.
Four weeks until due date.
I’m at the office when it happens.
Sharp pain.
Lower abdomen.
I gasp.
Sienna looks up.
“Maren? You okay?”
Another pain.
Sharper.
“Something’s wrong.”
***
Emergency room.
Jasper meets me there.
Panicked. Terrified.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know. Just pain. A lot of pain.”
Dr. Elliot arrives.
(Called from her office.)
Examines me.
Monitors the baby.
“You’re having contractions. Early labor.”
No.
No no no.
“It’s too early. I’m only thirty-six weeks.”
“Which is viable. But we want to stop labor if possible. I’m admitting you. Bed rest. Monitoring. Medication to stop contractions.”
Jasper takes my hand.
“Whatever you need to do. Just keep them both safe.”
***
They admit me.
Overnight observation.
Jasper refuses to leave.
Sleeps in the chair beside my bed.
The contractions slow.
Medication working.
But I’m terrified.
“What if she comes early?”
“Then we deal with it. Together.”
“I’m not ready.”
“Yes, you are. You’re the strongest person I know.”
I want to believe him.
***
The next morning, someone knocks.
Valeria.
Aunt Valeria.
Looking worried.
“Maren, sweetheart. I heard you were here.”
How did she—
“Conrad?”
She nods.
“He has contacts at the hospital. Found out you were admitted. He’s… worried.”
He is?
“Is he here?”
“No. Too stubborn. But he sent me.”
She sits beside my bed.
Takes my hand.
“How are you feeling?”
“Scared.”
“That’s normal. But you’re strong. And this baby is strong.”
Tears fall.
“I miss him. Uncle Conrad. I know I shouldn’t but I do.”
Valeria squeezes my hand.
“He misses you too. He’s just… processing. Grieving. He lost his sister to this feud. Now he thinks he’s losing you too.”
“He’s not losing me. He pushed me away.”
“I know. And he knows. He’s just too proud to admit he was wrong.”
Jasper clears his throat.
“Maybe this isn’t the time—”
But Valeria turns to him.
“You love her?”
“More than anything.”
“And you’re committed? To her and the baby?”
“Completely.”
Valeria nods.
Satisfied.
“Then that’s all that matters. Conrad will come around. Eventually. But even if he doesn’t, you two have each other. And that’s enough.”
She stays for an hour.
And it helps.
More than she knows.
END OF CHAPTER 24
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