Julian adjusted her blanket carefully before brushing his fingers slowly across her forehead.

"Now go back to sleep." Amara wanted to argue. Wanted to keep thinking. Planning.

Worrying. But exhaustion was heavier than all of it. Slowly, her eyes closed again beneath Julian’s gentle touch. And after a while. She fell asleep peacefully.

By morning, pale sunlight filtered softly through the hospital curtains. Doctor Ade arrived not long after sunrise with several nurses following behind her. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Julian immediately stood up from the chair beside Amara’s bed. The doctor reviewed the reports quietly before finally looking at him.

"The results are clean," she said reassuringly. "There’s nothing alarming right now." Julian visibly relaxed slightly. But Doctor Ade continued carefully.

"Still, in my professional opinion, she needs to remain hospitalized for constant monitoring." Her eyes moved toward sleeping, Amara.

"She’s almost due," the doctor explained. "And Ms. Piers has been under extreme stress." Julian glanced toward Amara quietly. Even asleep, she looked exhausted.

"So I’ll arrange for an extended stay here," Doctor Ade added.

"No need." The doctor looked up. Julian’s voice remained polite but firm.

"I’m moving her to Vale Memorial." Doctor Ade hesitated briefly before finally nodding.

"Okay." Honestly. Part of her looked relieved. Maybe now the army of guards would finally leave her hospital.

Within the next hour, arrangements were already complete.

An ambulance arrived privately through the underground entrance while Julian’s security secured every hallway and exit before Amara was even moved.

The transfer happened quietly. Carefully. Julian rode beside Amara the entire time. Even while she slept peacefully beneath the blankets, his hand never left hers.

By the time they arrived at Vale Memorial Hospital, an entire medical team was already waiting. Doctors. Specialists. Private nurses. Everything had been prepared in advance.

Amara was immediately taken into one of the hospital’s luxury VIP maternity suites, the kind reserved only for the wealthiest and most powerful families in Varenza.

Even the room itself barely looked like a hospital room. Soft lighting. Fresh flowers. Private sitting area.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. But despite the beauty of the room. Security remained everywhere.

Guards lined the hallways outside. More stood near elevators and entrances. Nobody was taking chances anymore.

Madam Vale was already there waiting when Julian arrived beside the hospital bed. The older woman’s sharp eyes immediately softened slightly at the sight of Amara sleeping. "She looks exhausted," she murmured quietly.

Julian nodded tiredly. Madam Vale turned toward her son afterward. "You should go home," she said firmly. "Change clothes. Eat something properly."

"I’ll stay with her." Julian didn’t even hesitate. "I’m not leaving her, Mother." Madam Vale sighed softly. Sometimes her son could be unbelievably stubborn.

Still. She understood. "Fine," she said eventually. "Then I’ll bring both of you clothes and proper homemade food."

Julian finally gave a small nod. "Thank you." Madam Vale glanced once more toward Amara before quietly leaving the VIP suite.

Outside, guards immediately straightened as she walked past them. And inside the peaceful room. Julian returned to Amara’s bedside once again. Exactly where he intended to remain.

"Hey..." Amara’s soft voice broke through the quiet room.

Julian stirred immediately.

He had fallen asleep sitting beside the hospital bed, his head resting near her arm while one hand still loosely held hers even in sleep.

The moment he heard her voice, he lifted his head quickly, still trying to shake away exhaustion. His hair was slightly messy now, his eyes heavy from lack of sleep.

"Hey," he whispered back softly. "Do you need something?"

Amara looked at him quietly for a second. Even half asleep, his first thought was still about her.

"No," she said gently. Then she shifted slightly beneath the blanket and lifted her hand toward him.

"Come here." Julian frowned slightly in confusion.

"Please hold me." The request melted something inside him instantly. "Of course."

Carefully, Julian climbed onto the hospital bed beside her, making sure not to hurt her or put pressure on her stomach.

The bed dipped slightly beneath his weight as he wrapped his arms around her carefully.

Amara immediately moved closer into his chest like that was the only place she wanted to be.

Julian held her gently, one hand resting protectively over her back while the other stayed over her stomach.

"Are you okay, my love?" he asked quietly against her hair. Amara nodded softly.

"Yes."

Then after a small pause. "Now you can rest properly." Julian smiled faintly at that.

Even now, she was still thinking about him. "I’m okay," he murmured. "I’m worried about you." Amara stayed quiet for a second before speaking softly.

"Well... I’m okay." But then her voice weakened slightly.

"Aside from feeling like my heart is tearing inside me." Julian immediately tensed. He pulled back just enough to look at her face. Concern filled his eyes instantly.

"What?" he asked quickly. "Should I call the doctor?" Amara almost smiled tiredly at how fast he panicked.

"No," she whispered gently. "I think I’m okay." Then more quietly. "It was just a figure of speech." Julian still looked unconvinced.

Amara brushed her fingers softly against his face. "You should sleep a little," she murmured.

For once. Julian didn’t argue. "Okay," he whispered softly.

He pulled her closer again, carefully, resting his chin lightly against her head while keeping her tucked safely against him. The room became quiet afterward. Warm. Peaceful.

For the first time in what felt like forever, neither of them spoke. And slowly, unknowingly. Julian finally fell asleep holding her in his arms.

–

Seb looked terrible. He had not slept. Not even for a minute.

He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, his tie loosened carelessly around his neck while dark shadows sat heavily beneath his eyes. Usually, Sebastian Creed walked into meetings looking polished and untouchable.

Today, he looked like a man holding himself together through pure force.

The emergency board meeting had already descended into tension before it even properly started. Executives whispered among themselves.

Board members looked nervous. Everyone had seen the market collapse. Everyone knew something was very wrong.

Seb stood at the head of the long conference table, one hand resting against the polished wood while giant screens behind him displayed financial reports no one wanted to look at anymore.

When he finally spoke, his voice was calm.

Too calm. "There will be changes."