Chapter 1

“What do you mean the entire private wing has been bought?!”

A woman in her late twenties’ voice cracked like a whip across the reception desk. The loud slam of her fist made the receptionist stumble backward with one hand flying to her chest.

“I’m sorry, madam, but it was reserved this morning by—”

“Reserved?! My sister is bleeding out and in early labor! She’s carrying twins, for God’s sake! This is an emergency!”

Poppy Mascot could barely follow the shouting. The world tilted violently as another wave of pain tore through her abdomen.

Her warm blood soaked through the thin hospital gown, sticking to her thighs. With her vision already blurred at the edges, the harsh white lights above turned into smeared halos.

‘Not now… Please, not now.’ she whimpered inwardly, biting her bottom lip to subdue the contraction.

Before she knew it, strong hands lifted her onto a gurney. Someone shone a light into her eyes, but she could hardly feel it. All she could focus on was the sharp kicks inside her.

Her babies fighting to survive!

“Poppy… Pops, keep your eyes open!”

A familiar hand grabbed hers tightly. Through the haze, she saw her stepsister’s face hovering above her. Her eyes wide with what looked like concern.

“You’re going to be okay, sister,” her sister, Jill, whispered fiercely. “The babies will be fine. Just stay with me.”

Poppy squeezed back weakly, clinging to that small comfort. She was grateful her husband hadn't shown up yet.

The gurney wheels screeched as they rushed her down the corridor. Fluorescent lights streaked past like falling stars. Every movement sent fresh agony through her body.

She was vaguely aware of being moved onto a bed until the bright lamp above burned her eyes.

“Where… where are they taking me?” she rasped, voice barely audible.

“Just calm down. You'll be fine.”

Laying on the narrow bed, Poppy's legs were being forced wide apart by two nurses. A doctor in a white coat stood between them, his gloved hands moving into her body.

“You’re doing fine, Mrs. Mascot. Just breathe. When the next contraction comes, I need you to push.”

On any other day, the humiliation and exposure would have made her want to crawl out of her skin. Today, she barely registered. All she cared about were the two lives fighting to survive inside her.

These were her first babies to cross seven months. She couldn’t lose them now.

“Push!” the doctor commanded.

And she pushed.

Hours seemed to blur into one long scream of pain. Sweat drenched her hair and the sheets. Her body trembled violently with every contraction.

Jill stood beside her, gripping her hand tightly. “One more! The first one is almost here!”

With a final, guttural cry that tore from her throat, Poppy pushed.

A sharp, faint wail cut through the room.

“It’s a boy!”

Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes. Before she could catch her breath, another wave slammed into her. Her body was failing. Poppy shook her head weakly while her hands fell to the side from the gone strength.

“Come on, Pops. Push for the baby. Just one more time.”

Gathering the last shreds of her will, she gave everything she had left.

Moments later, the second cry joined the first; smaller, but just as fierce.

“It’s a girl!”

For one precious moment, Poppy smiled weakly. Her chest flooded with overwhelming love as she caught a blurry glimpse of her babies. They were here and alive.

Then Poppy's body finally gave out.

…

Beep… Beep… Beep…

“Pops? You awake?”

Poppy's eyelids fluttered open. The first thing she was aware of was the sterile smell of the hospital filling her nostrils.

“Jill…” she whispered hoarsely.

Her stepsister leaned over her, smiling gently. “Hey. You scared us for a second there.”

“My babies…” Poppy's voice cracked. “Where are my babies?”

“They’re fine. Both of them. Healthy and strong. Just relax, okay? You need to rest.”

Upon hearing that, the tight knot in her chest loosened a little. Despite not being here, she was still anxious about Will.

Will had threatened to take them away the moment they were born. With the help of her demonic mother in-law, she had fallen into early labour from stress.

Prior before, Poppy already prepared herself for the worst.

Closing her eyes for a moment, she thought about the plane ticket she had hidden and the modeling job from Made-In-York waiting for her; after job hunting like a mad woman.

One more night, and she would finally be free from Will. And before he would even hear she had given birth, she would already be out of the country.

Poppy let out a strained sigh at the thought of him. She figured to just let herself rest, like Jill had said.

However, a deep, cold voice spoke from the corner of the room, sending shivers down her spine.

“You’re awake. Good.”

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