Chapter 24: Zara is not coming?
Zara’s eyes fluttered open, the pungent scent of antiseptic immediately grounding her to reality. The soft morning light filtered through the sheer hospital curtains. She squinted, covering her eyes.
As her vision cleared, the rush of last night’s incidents crashed back into her mind. She remembered the sharp ache in her abdomen, quickly followed by the alarming sensation of blood trickling down between her legs.
Panic surged as her hands shot to her abdomen.
"My baby..."
Tears welled up, blurring her vision as dread clutched her chest. Her gaze darted around the room, but there was no one. She reached for the call button with shaking fingers, but before she could press it, the door creaked open.
Bree stepped in. A soft smile played on her lips as she met Zara’s frantic eyes.
"You are awake," she said gently, walking over to the bedside. "You gave us quite the scare last night. But thank God, you are okay."
She set the lunch box on the side table and moved to help Zara sit up, tucking a pillow behind her back.
Zara clutched her friend’s hand. "Bree... my baby? Is the baby alright?" Her eyes searched Bree’s face, wild with emotion.
Bree’s hand closed around hers with comforting firmness. "The baby is safe. But the doctor said you must avoid any stress from now on. You have to be careful."
Relief flooded Zara’s body. Her breath trembled out of her, her fingers brushing over her stomach. A tear slipped down her cheek as a grateful smile touched her lips.