Episode 4

Present Day – St. Augustine’s Hospital

The tires screeched as Liam’s car skidded to a halt at the hospital entrance. Rain pounded down around him, soaking his suit the moment he stepped out, but he didn’t stop. Didn’t blink. He ran straight through the doors, ignoring the shouts of staff and the confused looks of patients.

Tyrone was already inside, speaking to one of the Collins guards stationed at the corridor. When he saw Liam, he met him halfway.

“Her highness’s still in surgery,” Tyrone said grimly. “They’re not giving updates. Lord Lorenzo’s been here for hours. He sealed the hospital—no one gets in or out unless they’re one of his.”

Liam didn’t respond. His eyes scanned the hallways, desperate to find her. He felt caged. Helpless.

“She’s in OR-2,” Tyrone added, voice lower now. “Internal bleeding. They’re trying to stabilize her.”

Liam’s breath caught. “And the baby?”

Tyrone looked down. “They haven’t said.”

Liam’s fists clenched. Every nerve in his body screamed. He’d faced assassination attempts, political warfare, even betrayal from blood—but nothing felt as terrifying as this.

He turned the corner and saw him—Lorenzo Collins, sitting on one of the sterile white chairs, head in his hands. A man carved from power and pride, now looking like the world had cracked open beneath him.

For a brief second, Liam hesitated. There was no political alliance to hide behind here. No formalities. Just two men with the same blood on their hands.

Lorenzo looked up, his eyes red-rimmed and cold. “What are you doing here?”

“I came for her,” Liam said quietly, his voice steady despite the storm inside him.

“You don’t get to come here,” Lorenzo growled, standing now. “You think showing up now makes a difference?”

“I didn’t know—”

“You should have protected her!” Lorenzo shouted, fists shaking. “She’s your wife. She’s your responsibility. And look where she is now.”

Liam didn’t flinch. He took it. Every word. Every ounce of blame.

Because it was true.

“I failed her,” Liam said. “I know that. But I’m not leaving until I know she’s alive.”

Lorenzo’s jaw clenched, torn between punching him and collapsing again.

The hallway went still.

Just then, the operating room doors swung open. A doctor stepped out, her surgical mask still on, her scrubs stained with blood.

“Ella Sullivan,” she said, scanning the two men.

Both of them stepped forward.

Ella’s POV – Somewhere Between Worlds

Voices.

She could hear them—somewhere far, far away. Like echoes in water. She tried to move, but her body felt weightless. Heavy. Broken.

“We’re losing her.”

Was that her name they said?

She wanted to open her eyes, to scream, to ask what was happening—but nothing came. Just darkness.

And then—images.

Liam, standing at the edge of her bed, guilt carved into his face.

Her brother, pacing in a hallway.

A smear of red on silk sheets.

A sharp pain in her stomach.

A warmth that suddenly turned cold.

The baby.

No. No, no, no—please.

Her hand twitched.

She heard beeping—fast, panicked. Someone shouting orders. Hands pressing into her. Lights flashing. Cold metal.

Then—

A memory.

Her hand resting unconsciously on her stomach in the garden last week. The softest smile playing on her lips. She hadn’t told anyone. Not even Lorenzo. Not yet.

It’s for the best. Lorenzo would be mad though. Liam had clearly told me not to tell anyone because of the accident and enemies around us. He said that it would be better to give him this news personally since there would be no way that the news would get out if we were to tell him ourselves. But… maybe I should have told him. He would have protected me.. maybe better than Liam?

A flutter.

Now it was gone.

Her heart screamed but her voice didn’t work.

Somewhere deep inside, she knew—knew what her body had lost before her mind could fully grasp it.

And in that moment, as the dark started to swallow her again, a single tear escaped the corner of her eye.

She didn’t know if she was crying for herself…

Or for the child she will never get to meet.

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