Chapter 2 - The Breath of Life
The flight surgeon shouted for the pilot to push the engines to maximum speed.
I faded in and out of consciousness as the helicopter tore across the darkening sky.
The moment the landing gear touched the hospital roof, a trauma team rushed forward.
They wheeled my stretcher through the sterile white hallways at a frantic, terrifying pace.
I felt the sharp sting of an anesthetic needle piercing my lower spine.
The bright surgical lights above me merged into a single, blinding halo of white fire.
I heard the frantic beeping of heart monitors and the urgent voices of the surgical staff.
Then, the world faded into absolute, heavy darkness.
I woke up in a private, highly secured recovery suite with sunlight streaming through the blinds.
My father was sitting perfectly straight in a chair beside my bed, wearing his four-star admiral uniform.
His eyes were red and exhausted, but his jaw was locked in a tight, furious line.
I frantically reached for my stomach, feeling the empty space where my baby used to be.
My father gently grabbed my hand and offered me the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.
He pointed toward the corner of the large room.
A specialized neonatal incubator hummed quietly, holding a tiny, breathing miracle wrapped in a blue blanket.
My son had survived the trauma and was fighting like a true champion.
Tears of pure joy streamed down my face as my father kissed my forehead.
He promised me that Julian and Victoria would never be able to hurt us again.
Suddenly, the heavy wooden door to my recovery suite swung violently open.
Two local police detectives walked into the room with their badges prominently displayed.
My father stood up and demanded to know who had authorized their entry into a secure military wing.
The lead detective ignored him and pulled a pair of steel handcuffs from his belt.
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He looked directly at me and coldly announced that I was under arrest.
He stated that Julian had filed an official report claiming I had violently attacked Victoria in a jealous rage.
