Chapter Thirty-Four
CIARA
Something is wrong.
The pain has dulled to a constant cramp in my lower abdomen that intensifies every time I take a breath.
I try to tell myself it’s probably just my body reacting to the stress of the last few days, but I don’t actually believe it.
My baby is in distress, and Stephen was right, I need to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
He hasn’t said a word to me since we got in the car, which I wouldn’t normally question. But as he drives, he’s white-knuckling the steering wheel while his eyes keep darting to the rearview mirror, as if he’s worried someone might be following us.
I focus on the buildings we pass by outside our window.
I frown.
This isn’t the way to the hospital. We’re heading in the completely opposite direction.
“Stephen…you’re going the wrong way.”
He stays silent, not moving a muscle.
“Stephen?” I glance over at him, but he still doesn’t answer.
I stay calm. I can’t afford to stress any more, not when my baby’s life could be hanging by a thread.
I look back at the road. We’ve reached the highway.
There are no hospitals in this direction, just trees and open road for miles.
My heart starts to pound in my chest.
“Stephen, what’s going on?”
He still doesn’t look at me. His jaw is clenched so tight I can see the muscle ticking, and sweat beads at his temple despite the air conditioning coming through the vents.
“Come on, please, talk to me.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Ciara. I didn’t want to do this.”
“Do what?” A cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck. “Stephen, what are you talking about?”
His grip tightens on the wheel. The way he’s refusing to look me in the eye has me shifting in my seat.
Something is very, very wrong.
“What do you mean you didn’t want to do this?” I slowly slide my hand toward my jacket pocket where my phone is.
I don’t risk pulling it out and flooding the car with light. Instead, I curl my hands around the device and shift my wrist until I can tap the back of the phone twice just below the logo.
It’s something I’ve rehearsed a dozen times, but a move I never actually thought I would need.
To Stephen, the movement is so subtle he hasn’t noticed, but inside, the shortcut has been triggered, and I know Ronan’s phone will be lighting up with an incoming call from me.
I just have to hope he’s able to answer.
“It’s not about you. If it were just me…” Stephen shakes his head, his throat bobbing. “I would die before I let anything happen to you, I swear to God.”
