For a second, Julian just stared at her blankly like his brain refused to understand the words. "It's too early," the doctor continued quickly.
Too early. The words echoed violently inside Julian's head. "What?" he breathed. His chest rose and fell unevenly now.
"No… no that can't happen." His eyes moved toward Amara immediately. She was crying. In pain. Terrified. And suddenly Julian felt completely helpless.
"How?" he asked brokenly. "How is this happening?"
"Sir, I need you to step outside." Julian barely heard the doctor. His eyes remained fixed on Amara. On her tears. On the fear written all over her face.
And then she looked at him, too. That look nearly destroyed him. Because beneath all the pain. Amara looked scared. Truly scared.
The nurses were already moving around quickly now, preparing equipment, checking monitors, speaking urgently among themselves. "Mr. Vale—"
"I'm not leaving her," Julian said instantly.
