Chapter 2 - LIFE AND DEATH
The delivery room was a blur of bright lights, agonizing pain, and sheer terror.
"Push, Clara! You have to push!" the doctor urged, but Clara’s energy was failing. Her heart rate was dropping, and the baby was in distress. The stress of the last three hours had pushed her body to its absolute breaking point.
Through the haze of pain, she remembered the mysterious old woman on the street: Don’t give up on him just yet.
Clara gripped the metal bed rails. She pictured Liam’s smile. She pictured the pale green bassinet waiting in their apartment. She let out a guttural scream, pouring every ounce of her remaining strength into one final push.
At 11:42 PM, the shrill, beautiful cry of a baby girl filled the room.
Tears streamed down Clara’s face as the nurse placed the tiny, warm bundle onto her chest. She had Liam’s dark hair. But the moment of pure joy was instantly shattered.
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Down the hall, a "Code Blue" alarm echoed over the hospital intercom. Room 408.
Clara’s heart stopped. Room 408 was Liam. As she held their newborn daughter, nurses rushed past her door toward Liam’s room. Clara closed her eyes and prayed for a miracle, terrified that in the exact moment life was given, another was being taken away.
