297 The Water Breaks

    +8 Points

    297 The Water Breaks

    Mara

    “I would’ve believed you, Martha,” I said, gently moving closer, “if you didn’t have tears in your eyes right

    now.”

    She froze, caught between pride and pain.

    “Why did youe back to Mooncrest City if not for him?” I asked softly. “You wanted to be close enough to know how he’s doing… and whether he’s moved on.”

    She didn’t deny it.

    “I’ll spare you the trouble of wondering,” I continued. “He hasn’t. Not even close.”

    Her eyes shimmered, and I could see the truth in them, she was listening now.

    “He barely speaks. He drinks too much. His beard is wild. His hair’s a mess. Hees to breakfast in the

    same pyjamas every morning and locks himself in his room all day.”

    I paused. My voice dropped.

    “He’s lost weight. And we’re starting to worry about his mental health.”

    Tears spilled down her cheeks. Silent. Steady.

    “I know you didn’t think your leaving would hit him this hard. But it did. When he said he loved you, he

    meant it. The day you were poisoned, he didn’t leave your side. Not once. He was there every moment

    until he brought you home.”

    She covered her mouth with trembling fingers.

    “Yes, he pushed you away,” I said. “But do you remember how the guards wouldn’t let you leave the

    property afterward? He gave that order. Because even when he was angry, he didn’t want to lose you.”

    Her shoulders began to shake.

    “And Martha… let’s be honest,” I added, carefully, but not cruelly. “Your secrets. Your past. The things you kept from him, they were a lot. And yet, he stayed. He moved past it. That kind of love isn’t easy toe by.”

    She broke into full sobs then.

    I leaned in, took her hands gently in mine. “Pleasee home. Don’t leave him like this. Not when it’s so obvious you still love him. Not when he still loves you.”

    She shook her head weakly, lost in her tears.

    “You don’t have to give up who you’ve be. You can set your terms. Your boundaries. Anything you need, he’ll agree to it. I’m sure of it. But please… don’t waste any more time. Don’t let pride or fear steal

     297 The Water Breaks

    what’s left of your happiness.”

    Her eyes searched mine, aching and unsure.

    “Juste and see him,” I said gently. “Then make your decision.”

    I stood up slowly. She didn’t stop me. She just sat there, stunned, wiping her face.

    “You just got here, Mara,” she said, confused.

    “I know,” I said with a soft smile. “But I miss you too. We all do. The house feels empty. Breakfast is unbearable. The ce is grey without you, Martha. You bring the colour.”

    She stood slowly, still unsure. Still breaking.

    “Darian and Lucian need their mother,” I said, cing my hand over my belly. “Emma needs her grandmother. Richard will need you too.”

    Her eyes dropped to my stomach, and she let out a trembling breath.

    +8 Points)

    “Vander fought ric for you. Every scar he took, he took it for you. Please… don’t let that be in vain.”

    I stepped closer.

    “There was a day he stormed into Steel Corp to threaten me, because of you. And I’ll never forget what he said: ‘Martha has been in my life longer than Natasha ever was. I will always protect her.”

    She looked at me, stunned.

    “He didn’t have to say that,” I whispered. “But he did. That’s how much you mean to him.”

    Martha blinked, then burst forward and pulled me into a hug.

    Tight. Desperate. Full of grief and longing and hope.

    “I’ll think about it,” she whispered through her tears.

    And I believed her.

    The moment I pulled back from the hug, I felt a sudden rush of warmth down my legs. My eyes widened, and I looked down.

    Martha’s eyes did the same.

    “Your water just broke,” she said, her voice shifting into urgency. “Mara, you might be inbour.”

    A sharp pain shot through my lower belly, wrapping around to my back like a tight band. I winced and grabbed her arm.

    “That’s a contraction,” she said quickly, already on her feet. “Do you have a driver?”

    I nodded, breathing through the pain.

    “Okay. Come on, let’s go. Now.”

    297 The Water Breaks

    +8 Points

    Martha helped me out of the house, one arm steadying me as we made it to the car. Austin looked up

    from the driver’s seat, startled.

    “She’s inbour. Hospital. Now,” Martha snapped.

    “Yes, ma’am!”

    We were off in seconds.

    The contractions wereing every five minutes. Martha held my hand in the back seat, guiding my

    breathing.

    “In through your nose, out through your mouth. That’s it, Mara. Just like that.”

    I nodded, but the pain was starting to build. I reached for my phone and managed to call Lucian.

    “Darling,” I panted, “the baby’sing. We’re on our way to the hospital.”

    “I’m on my way,” he said, voice sharp with focus.

    By the time we reached the maternity ward, Dr. Ashley Gash was already waiting. I was wheeled into a

    private room, and Martha never left my side. She coached me, calmed me, held my hand when the

    contractions made my vision blur.

    She was everything I needed in that moment.

    “Where is she?” I heard Lucian’s voice echo from the corridor.

    Then the door burst open.

    He was at my side in an instant, grabbing my hand and kissing it, then pressing a kiss to my forehead.

    “I’m here, darling. I’m here.”

    I nodded, unable to speak through the next contraction. Lucian’s eyes flicked up, andnded on Martha.

    “Hello, Lucian,” she said quietly, nervous. “It’s been three months.”

    “Yes, three months,” he replied, his voice firmer than usual. “And it’s time toe home.”

    His tone carried more bite than warmth, and I didn’t me him. He still didn’t fully understand why she

    left. Maybe he never would.

    Martha gave him a tight, awkward smile, then turned her attention back to me, rubbing my arm as another

    wave of pain hit.

    Just then, Dr. Ashley entered the room, quickly slipping on gloves and checking between my legs.

    “Okay, Luna Mara is fully dted,” she announced. “We’re ready.”

    They wheeled me to the delivery room. Lucian held one hand, Martha the other. Their faces were pale, tense, but focused.

    Dr. Ashley leaned down, speaking softly in my ear.

    “When the next contractiones, I want you to push. As hard as you can.”

    I nodded.

    A secondter, it hit like a tidal wave.

    I squeezed both their hands, drew in a breath, and pushed.