Chapter 2

The precious child who would one day become the center of the entire De Cruz family had almost never been born.

In fact, there had been a time when Diego De Cruz had been prepared to make the most painful decision of his life.

It wasn't because he didn't want a child.

It was because he loved his wife too much to risk losing her.

Rose De Cruz had always been physically fragile. Even before their marriage, doctors had warned her that pregnancy could be extremely dangerous for her.

She had been told there was a very high possibility that she might never be able to carry a child safely.

Nearly seventy-five percent.

The odds had been terrifying.

But Diego hadn't cared.

The De Cruz family already had heirs. There was no pressure on him to produce another generation. No one could accuse the family of lacking successors.

And if having a child meant risking Rose's life, Diego wanted nothing to do with it.

There was only one problem.

Rose had always dreamed of becoming a mother.

It wasn't an ordinary wish she could simply forget.

She wanted to experience the joy of carrying a child, holding her baby in her arms, hearing that tiny voice call her Mama. She wanted to know what it felt like to nurture another life.

Diego knew that.

He had known for years.

But whenever Rose spoke about motherhood, he deliberately pretended not to notice how much it meant to her.

He changed the subject.

He distracted her.

He smiled and kissed her forehead.

Because admitting the truth meant admitting that he might have to choose between his wife's dream and her life.

And Diego had already made his choice.

If forced to choose, he would choose Rose.

Every single time.

Then, against every expectation, Rose became pregnant.

The news left the entire De Cruz family speechless.

For several moments, Diego simply stared at the pregnancy test in Rose's trembling hands.

Pregnant.

His wife was pregnant.

He was going to be a father.

Yet the first emotion that filled Diego's heart wasn't excitement about becoming a father.

It was relief.

Rose had finally received the one thing she had secretly wished for all these years.

He could still remember the way her eyes had filled with tears when she told him.

She had smiled through them.

"Diego... we're going to have a baby."

He had pulled her into his arms immediately.

"I'm happy for you, amore."

Rose had laughed softly.

"For you?"

Diego had kissed the top of her head.

"For you."

He meant every word.

But their happiness didn't last long before reality caught up with them.

At their first doctor's appointment, Rose sat peacefully in the examination room, her hands resting over her stomach even though there was barely anything to show yet.

She was glowing.

She couldn't stop smiling.

She had spent the entire journey imagining what the doctor would say.

Perhaps everything was perfect.

Perhaps their baby was healthy.

Perhaps, finally, she was going to become a mother without having to fear anything.

Diego, however, was sitting beside her with an uneasiness he couldn't explain.

After the examination, the doctor asked Diego to step outside.

Rose remained inside, unaware of what was happening.

The moment the door closed behind them, the doctor's expression changed.

"Mr. De Cruz," he began carefully, "I need to be completely honest with you."

Diego's stomach tightened.

"What is it?"

The doctor took a breath.

"Your wife's uterus is extremely fragile. There is a very high possibility that she won't be able to carry the baby for very long."

Diego stared at him.

"What are you saying?"

"There is a significant risk of miscarriage."

The words struck him like a physical blow.

"My wife..."

He swallowed.

"She won't be able to handle this news."

"I understand, sir. But you need to know the truth."

The doctor hesitated before continuing.

"There is a procedure that could increase the chances of your wife carrying the pregnancy safely."

Diego immediately looked at him.

"Then do it."

"But..."

The doctor's hesitation made him freeze.

"The procedure itself carries serious risks. Your wife's life could be endangered."

Diego's expression hardened.

"No."

The answer came instantly.

"I don't want to risk my wife's life."

"Sir—"

"My wife is more important than the baby."

His voice left no room for argument.

The doctor lowered his gaze.

"Then, under the circumstances, I would recommend terminating the pregnancy."

Diego closed his eyes.

The thought of Rose suffering terrified him.

"All right," he whispered. "We'll do as you say."

Neither man noticed the figure standing behind the door.

Rose had heard every word.

Her face had gone pale.

For a moment, she simply stood there.

Then—

Bang!

The door slammed open.

Both men turned.

Rose stood there, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Doctor."

Her voice trembled, but there was determination beneath it.

"I want the procedure."

Diego's eyes widened.

"Rose—"

"I want to keep my baby."

She placed one hand protectively over her stomach.

"No matter what."

Diego rushed toward her.

"What if something happens to you?"

His voice cracked.

"What if I lose you?"

Rose looked into his eyes.

"Diego..."

"I will die, Rose."

He wasn't exaggerating.

The thought of living without her was unbearable.

Rose reached for his hand.

"Trust God."

Diego shook his head helplessly.

"You don't understand."

"No," she whispered. "You don't understand."

She placed his hand gently over her stomach.

"If God gave us this gift, then He will protect both me and our baby."

Diego stared at her.

"Rose..."

"I've dreamed of becoming a mother my entire life."

Her voice broke.

"Please don't take that away from me because you're afraid of losing me."

Diego had no answer.

Because he knew her.

He knew that once Rose had made up her mind, there was almost nothing anyone could do to change it.

And so, despite every fear screaming inside him, he finally nodded.

"All right."

The news spread quickly through the family.

Within hours, the De Cruz family had gathered at the hospital.

Everyone prayed.

Everyone waited.

For twelve long hours, the operating-room doors remained closed.

Twelve hours of uncertainty.

Twelve hours during which Diego refused to leave his place outside the operating room.

His hands remained clasped together, his eyes fixed on the closed doors.

Charles stood nearby.

Diablo paced restlessly.

Erica prayed quietly.

Even Arden and Ardian, too young to fully understand what was happening, sat silently beside their family.

Nobody cared about wealth.

Nobody cared about business.

Nobody cared about the De Cruz empire.

At that moment, there were only two lives that mattered.

Rose.

And the tiny child growing inside her.

Finally, after twelve agonizing hours, the operating-room doors opened.

Everyone stood at once.

The doctor stepped outside.

For one terrifying second, nobody dared breathe.

Then the doctor smiled.

"The procedure was successful."

Diego's knees nearly gave way.

"And my wife?"

"She's safe."

His eyes immediately filled with tears.

"And the baby?"

"The baby is safe as well."

A collective breath escaped the family.

For the first time in twelve hours, Diego allowed himself to smile.

The doctor continued.

"With the procedure successfully completed, Mrs. De Cruz should be able to experience a much more comfortable pregnancy from here onward. Of course, she'll need regular monitoring and proper care, but the worst risk has passed."

Diego closed his eyes.

Thank God.

He had almost lost the courage to hope.

But he hadn't.

And neither had Rose.

Months later, the little life they had fought so desperately to protect would finally come into the world.

A little girl.

A daughter.

A child who had survived against the odds.

A child who had been wanted, protected, and prayed for before she had even taken her first breath.

Isabella De Cruz.

The girl who would one day become the heart of the entire De Cruz family.

Their precious Bella.

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