It wasn’t long before blood flowed, drop by drop, through the transparent tube into Willow’s veins. It could be seen that, under the stark re of lights, she was soaked in sweat, as if she had been lying in a pool.

    She weakly opened her eyes and gazed at the figures above. Through the hazy vision, she seemed to have noticed Julian’s face. She was somewhat bewildered, wondering if the person before her was really Julian. What was he doing here? Hadn’t he gone to Grandsburg? Hadn’t he insisted on going?

    She gently blinked her eyes, her vision slowlying into bfocus /bbon /bJulian’s face. In her pain–induced haze, she thought she had gone back five years in the past–back to when they got married. She reached out her slender hand and grabbed Julian’s shirt, her voice sounding raspy and choked with tears as she pleaded, “Please don’t go to Grandsburg, Julian. Please don’t go, alright?”

    Julian was stunned for a moment before realizing that Willow wasn’t fully lucid. He kneeled, sped Willow’s hand, and said softly, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay right here with you and our baby. You have to hang in there, Willow. Your safety and our child’s safety are all that matter. I won’t fight for custody; our child will always be by your side.”

    Upon hearing Julian mention the child, Willow’s gaze sharpened momentarily. She gripped the bedrails tightly with both hands and sat up unsteadily. She then looked down at the bright red blood staining the bedsheets. It was so reminiscent of the mes that night–the mes that had taken Grace’s life.

    She suddenly felt a searing wave of pain engulfing herb, /bcausing her bto /bthrow her head back and bcry/bb, /bb“/bGrandma! Grandma!” Her high–pitched scream echoed as the baby boy was delivered. He didn’t make any sound, though, which greatly startled Maria. She quickly picked up the newborn, rhythmically patting his back and bottom. Then, sheid him down and beganpressing his small chest, repeating thepressions and pats. He had turned cyanotic, and he still hadn’t uttered a sound.

    Willow continued to be wracked bybor pains, since her second child had yet to arrive. Thus, her remaining energy was directed toward the ongoing delivery.

    Julian watched Maria’s relentless efforts to revive the baby. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears, with tears pooling at the corners. That was his son, Landon, after all. How could his heart not ache with worry? However, he held back his emotions, fearing it would distress Willow and rob her of the strength to deliver their daughter. 1

    He kneeled before Willow and gripped her hand tightly. His voice was trembling with emotion as he said, “You’re so close, Willow–just a little more. Our baby is almost here.”

    In the delivery room, the smell of blood hung thick in the

    bair /bbias /i/b

    the night wore on.

    It was around 4:00 am when the second baby was finally delivered with her powerful cry filling the delivery room and her tiny legs kicking with life. Her height reached an impressive 21 inches, and her weight was also well within a healthy range.

    Willow was lying on the delivery bed, her breathing in ragged gasps. She yearned to hold her children, but her body waspletely spent; even the thought of opening her eyes felt like a monumental task.

    It wasn’t until the evening of the third day that Willow finally awoke. In the bright and cozy VIP ward of the hospital, a soothing milky scent hung in the air, apanied by the soft, babbling sounds of a baby. 1

    Willow turned her head to the side, wanting to catch a glimpse of her children. In the pink bassy a plump newborn sleeping soundly, her skin red and tender. She was probably having sweet dreams, as a fleeting smile would sometimes appear, and the subtle dimples were very much like Julian’s.

    Heather was watching the baby tenderly in the bass.

    Upon noticing Willow stirring, Heather hurriedly approached her, gently adjusting the nkets. Her eyes filled with concern as she looked at Willow’s sallowplexion and said, “You’re finally awake, Willow. Though the doctor had reassured me that it was due to exhaustion, I was still so worried sick.”

    Willow nced at the bass and asked matter–of–factly, “And where’s the other baby? Is he getting fed in the nurseryb?/b”

    Heather momentarily fell silent.

    Having realized that something was amiss, Willow’s voice trembled with rising anxiety as she asked again, “Where’s the bother /bbaby, Mom?”

    Heather finally broke downb, /bholding Willow tightly as she choked back sobs. “That baby was stillborn. Though the doctor had tried her hardest to save him, in the end, there was nothing more that could be done.”

    Willow remained seated on the bed, her gaze vacant. It was only after a long time had passed that she wrapped her arms around herself, her fingernails digging into her fleshb, /bthough she felt no sensation whatsoever.

    She then lowered her head and kept it away from view before letting out quietb, /bsorrowful cries. Her crying was terribly muffled so as not to frighten her newborn daughter. In addition, even amidst the delirium of childbirth, she was well aware that Landon was the first one she had given birth to.

    Grace had even personally prepared tiny baby shoes for Landon. How could he not be here anymore?

    She had clearly gone through so much pain to bring him into the world. She could even feel the baby’s presence amidst the excruciating pain. He had been so yful and adorable during his time in her womb, often reaching out his little hand to gently touch her. She then recalled the ultrasound technician mentioning that the baby boy was tall and exceptionally good–looking

    What happened to her darling Landon? Where had he gone?

    Willow refused to believe it, stubbornly wanting to see Landon. Heather gently supported her frail bodyb, /btears glistening in her eyes as she said, “Julian has taken the baby away to Brindley. He had likely asked the priest at the chapel there to find a final resting ce for the little one.”

    Julian had held Gabrie Harper in his arms–the second baby Willow had brought into the world—just before they left for Brindley. Mnie, her eyes brimming with tears, even gave Gabrie a final feeding of milkb, /bmurmuring many heartfelt words, while Liam gently wiped away his own tears beside her.

    Though they were reluctant to go, Julian and others still left in the end. It was raining in Yarrowmere when they departed in their private jet along with six doctors on board.

    Willow listened silently before whispering, “I need to see my son. He’s my child–the one I carried for nine long months and brought into this world. I have to see him; otherwise, I’ll never be able to find peace for the rest of my life. I’m begging you, Mom. Please let me see him.”

    Heather wept uncontrobly, her voice trembling as she cried, “You can’t see him anymore! He’s gone, Willow!”

    It was then that Willow slowlyprehended the weight of those words. It took her quite some time before she finally threw back the nkets and stumbled out onto the balcony, where all she could see were the verdant hills and clear streams outside. It was raining relentlesslyb, /bcausing a thick fog that shrouded everything nearby. It was impossible for her to make out what was in the distance, much less discern where Brindley was or find out where Landon had gone.

    b2/2 /b