Genesis's heart pounded so hard she could barely breathe. The echo of the stretcher wheels faded down the hall until there was nothing left, just the sterile hum of the hospital lights and the sound of her own racing pulse.
Her back hit the cold wall, and she slid down slowly, her hands trembling. Her breaths came out uneven, fast, too fast. She pressed a palm against her chest, trying to calm the panic clawing its way up her throat.
"Lily?" Daisy's small, frightened voice broke the silence. She ran to Genesis, her eyes wide. "What's wrong? You look really pale!"
Genesis shook her head weakly, trying to force a smile that never came. "I'm fine," she whispered, but her voice cracked halfway.
"No, you're not!" Daisy said, gripping her arms tightly. "You're breathing funny, Lily, what's happening?"
Before Genesis could answer, Knight moved quickly toward her. He crouched in front of her, his eyes searching hers, worry etched deep into his face. "Princess, hey, baby,look at me." He cupped her face gently. "Breathe, okay? In and out, with me."
Genesis tried, but her chest tightened more. Her vision blurred as tears welled up. "K-Kieran…" she stammered, her voice trembling. "What if she… what if she loses the baby?"
Knight froze for a heartbeat, confused by her sudden panic. "Hey, hey," he said softly, brushing her hair back from her damp face. "Why would she lose the baby? The doctors are with her. She's strong, okay? They'll take care of it."
But Genesis shook her head harder, tears spilling freely now. "No," she whispered brokenly. "You don't understand… it's because of me."
Knight's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Her lips trembled as she looked up at him, guilt twisting her expression. "I—" her voice caught, her throat tightening. "I slapped her."
For a second, there was only silence. Knight blinked, stunned.
"I lost control," Genesis said through shaky breaths, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her cheeks. "She said something awful and I—I just reacted. I didn't mean to, I swear I didn't. And then she started screaming, and…" her words dissolved into sobs. "What if that's why she's in pain now? What if I hurt her? What if I hurt the baby?"
Knight quickly gathered her into his arms, holding her close as her body trembled against him. "Hey, hey, stop that," he murmured firmly but gently, pressing her head against his chest. "You didn't cause this. Do you hear me?"
"She screamed right after," Genesis whispered, her voice muffled against his shirt. "She screamed right after I hit her, what if that was the reason? What if she loses him because of me?"
Knight's grip tightened protectively. He tilted her chin up so she would look at him, his voice low but steady. "Genesis, look at me. You didn't cause this. You didn't make her go into labor."
Her eyes glistened, her lower lip trembling. "How do you know?"
"Because stress or tension doesn't just cause labor out of nowhere," he said. "She's been under pressure for weeks, and her pregnancy was already delicate. The doctor said that, didn't he? This isn't on you, princess."
"But I…"
"Stop," Knight said gently but firmly. "You care about her. You ran to help her. That's who you are." He pressed his forehead to hers. "And I know you'd never, ever do anything to hurt anyone, especially not an innocent child."
Genesis's tears fell harder, her breath still ragged. "I just.." she choked out. "I saw the fear in her eyes, and I can't stop thinking about it."
"I know," he whispered. "But you have to breathe, okay? For me. In… and out."
She tried, matching her breath to his, her body slowly relaxing against him though her face was still damp with tears. Daisy watched quietly, biting her lip as she hugged Genesis's side when Knight loosened his hold.
"See?" Knight murmured softly, rubbing slow circles on her back. "You're okay."
But Genesis shook her head weakly. "No… not until I know she's okay."
Knight nodded, brushing her cheek. "Then we'll wait right here until the doctor comes out, okay? We'll wait together."
Genesis nodded faintly, leaning into him, her hands still clutching the fabric of his shirt. Daisy sat beside them, her little arms wrapped around Genesis's waist, whispering softly, "She's going to be fine, Lily. You didn't do anything bad."
Knight looked between them, his wife trembling, daisy holding her tightly and for the first time in a long while, he felt something heavy and raw tighten in his chest.
Because even if he believed his own words… he couldn't shake the image of Amelia's terrified face.
And the thought that something might truly go wrong made even him afraid.
After an hour, when Genesis had finally calmed down a little, she turned to Knight. She tapped his arm softly, and he looked at her.
"...She said something…" Genesis began, her brow furrowing.
Knight reached up and brushed his thumb across her damp cheek. "Said what?"
Genesis glanced toward the empty hallway before meeting his eyes again. "She said she's not working with the Bishop anymore… and I think someone sent her to our home. But who is this Bishop?"
Her voice cracked as fresh tears spilled down her face. "Who are all these people, and why are they always after us?"
Knight's jaw tightened, his teeth clenched. Before he could say a word, the door at the end of the hallway opened. A doctor stepped out, pulling down his surgical mask.
Everyone jumped to their feet—Genesis, Knight, and Daisy—hearts pounding as their eyes locked on him.
"How is she?" Genesis blurted out, her voice trembling. "Is she okay? Is the baby okay?"
"Please, tell us," Knight added, stepping forward, his tone sharp with urgency.
The doctor blinked, looking between them, visibly drained. His scrubs were stained faintly with blood, his gloves still hanging from one hand. "We managed to deliver the baby," he said after a pause, his voice calm but heavy.
Genesis's heart stuttered. "Delivered?" she echoed.
He nodded. "It's a boy," he said quietly. "He's very small — barely seven months along — but he's breathing on his own for now. We've moved him to the neonatal unit for observation. He'll need close monitoring, but… he made it."
Daisy's hands flew to her mouth in surprise. "He's alive?"
"Yes," the doctor replied, and for a fleeting second, relief washed through Genesis's chest. She covered her face, tears of release and guilt mixing together.
Knight reached for her hand, squeezing it tight. "See?" he murmured softly. "The baby's okay."
But Genesis's voice came out small and cracked. "And Amelia? What about Amelia?"
The doctor's expression shifted, that brief calm flickered and vanished. He exhaled slowly, lowering his gaze before meeting theirs again. "About Miss. Cole…"
His voice trailed off, the weight in his tone freezing them all in place.
Knight's grip on Genesis's hand tightened. "What about her?" he demanded quietly.
The doctor hesitated, his jaw tightening. "She.."