Chapter 210
The soft hum of the ultrasound machine filled the small, warmly lit OB–GYN office. Scott sat beside Nadia, his fingers laced tightly with hers, both of them watching the monitor as the doctor reviewed her latest tests.
They had been talking about starting a family for weeks now, and every appointment felt like a step toward a future Nadia wasn’t sure she’d be able to reach–at least not the way she had once imagined.
The doctor turned from the screen with a measured expression, her voice calm but direct. “Nadia, your overall health is good. But based on the results, natural conception will be extremely difficult for you–nearly impossible.“”
Nadia’s chest tightened. “So… what does that mean?“\
“It means that while carrying a pregnancy yourself may not be possible, there are still options,” the doctor explained gently. We could consider in vitro fertilization using your eggs–if viable–or, if necessary, a surrogate. With Scott’s sperm, you can still have a biological child together. You would just need someone else to carry the pregnancy.“}
Scott squeezed her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “Then that’s what we’ll do,” he said without hesitation. “We’ll figure it out.”
The doctor nodded. “If you choose to move forward, I’ll refer you to a fertility specialist to begin the process.”
Nadia gave a faint smile, though her heart felt heavy. “Alright. We’ll think about it.”
+
Scott looked at her, his gaze steady. “No matter how it happens, we’ll have our family. Together.”
They left the clinic room arm in arm, laughter light between them as they stepped into the hallway. But halfway down the corridor, Nadia slowed. Her gaze caught on a familiar figure–Colton–his suit jacket rumpled, his hair a mess, his expression tight with panic as he gripped a doctor by the arm.
“Do everything you can,” Colton’s voice cracked, loud enough to carry down the hall. “Please–just save her.”
Nadia’s steps faltered. She had no intention of going near him. But then she heard the doctor’s next words.
“It’s Maureen,” the doctor said gently.”
The name froze her in place. Maureen. That little girl she had once cared about, despite everything that happened. She hated what Beatrice had done. She hated the pain Colton caused. But Maureen… Maureen was just a child.
“She’s lost a lot of blood,” the doctor continued. “We need a transfusion immediately, but there’s no available match in our current stock.”
“I’ll donate,” Colton said instantly. “Check if we’re the same type.”
Moments later, the doctor returned, shaking his head. “You don’t have the same blood type as her.”
Colton blinked. “What do you mean? I’m her father-” He stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing slightly, a flicker of confusion breaking through his desperation. He remembered Beatrice’s blood type. He remembered the details from before. It didn’t
make sense.
Nadia stepped forward before she could stop herself.. “I’ll donate.“}
Colton’s head snapped toward her, shock written on his face.
Before anyone could respond, Beatrice stormed down the hallway, her heels clicking sharply against the tile. “What the hell is happening here?“”
The doctor turned to her. “We need a blood donor for Maureen. Ms. Valencia has offered.“}
Beatrice’s face twisted in outrage. “No. Absolutely not. I don’t want her near my child. She could hurt her–God knows she’s been waiting for this moment.“[
Nadia’s voice turned cold. “Then fine. Let her die. Or transfer her to another hospital–one that might not be able to help her in
time.“[
Colton spun toward Beatrice. “Enough. If Nadia’s a match, she donates. We don’t have time for this.“!
Scott, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. “Are you sure about this?” His voice was low, protective.”
Nadia nodded. “Yes. But under one condition.” She locked eyes with both Colton and Beatrice. “From this day forward, neither of you will ever harm me again. No threats, no games, nothing. Do we understand each other?”
Colton’s jaw tightened. “Nadia-”
“That’s the condition,” she cut him off, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Before he could speak again, the hallway erupted with the shrill tone of an emergency code over the PA system. “Code Blue, pediatric wing.”
The doctor’s expression darkened. “That’s her. We need to move–now “%
In the chaos, Nadia walked with quick, determined steps toward the surgical prep room. “I’ll do it,” she told the nurse firmly. As she was being prepped, Colton pulled the doctor aside, his voice low but urgent. “While you’re at it… I need another test done A paternity test.”
The doctode benin firmada?
2/2 84.0%
4:05 PM P.
The doctor’s brows furrowed. “Now?”
“Yes,” Colton said, his eyes following Nadia through the small window in the door. “I need to know.“}
The nurse guided Nadia to a sterile chair, slipping a blood pressure cuff onto her arm and swabbing the crook of her elbow with antiseptic. The sharp smell stung her senses.
She stared at the white wall in front of her, and unbidden, memories of Maureen began to surface–her small hands clutching Nadia’s skirt, her giggles when Nadia baked cookies, the way she’d once fallen asleep on Nadia’s lap during a rainy afternoon.” Back then, Maureen had been sweet. Kind. Loving. Before… before Beatrice had gotten to her. Before the lies, the manipulation, the rehearsed accusations that cut Nadia deeper than she cared to admit.
But that wasn’t important now.
The thin pinch of the needle broke her thoughts. Blood flowed into the collection bag, dark red and steady. Nadia kept her eyes fixed forward, breathing evenly. Saving a life–especially the life of a child–wasn’t something she would turn away from, even if that child’s mother was her worst enemy.
When it was done, the nurse pressed a cotton pad to her arm, taping it down gently. “We’ll rush this to the OR immediately Thank you.“”
Nadia stood, her body a touch weaker but her resolve steel–strong. She walked out into the corridor, where Colton stood near the wall, his face drawn and pale.\
”
er this,
she said, her voice cold but steady. “I want a new She stopped in front of him, her gaze hard. “Don’t ever see me life. One without you. This…“–she gestured vaguely toward the operating room–“…is what you get for betraying me. For betraying me with my best friend. I save your daughter’s life, and then I walk away.”
Colton opened his mouth, but no words came. Her words landed heavier than he’d expected, each one like a blow he couldn’t block.”
T
ས་ན་ནང་དར་དག་བན་ནག་གིས་དགའ་ཀ་
=་
