"He's stable now," Elora said softly as she checked his heartbeat. Two days had passed, and Dave was only just beginning to regain consciousness.
"Thank God," Elena whispered as she moved closer to the bed with Rebecca. Both women looked drained, their eyes swollen from crying nonstop ever since Elora admitted she didn't know when Dave would wake up.
Kelvin, on the other hand, was breaking apart inside. He didn't even know what to think anymore—everything kept piling up, one problem after another. What the fuck is happening?
He stepped closer to the bed and slumped down beside it, gently holding Dave's hand, trying hard to keep his tears from spilling.
"I'm really sorry, Dave," he whispered shakily. "All of this is happening because of me. I—I don't even know what to do anymore."
His grip tightened. "Just open your eyes and hug me, Dave. I want to melt into your warmth… everything feels too cold without you. Sometimes I feel like locking myself away, just to free you from danger."
Elena and Rebecca exchanged a glance.
Their children had been through too much in such a short time, and the home that was once lively and full of laughter now felt like it was being swallowed by a storm they didn't know how to stop.
"Everything will be fine, Kelvin," Elena said gently, patting his shoulder.
"This is just a phase in our lives," Rebecca added, stroking his hair soothingly. "It will pass."
"Elora said they're both okay," Rebecca continued. "So you don't have to worry right now. We just need to wait for Dave to wake up."
Kelvin looked up at his mother, his eyes red and tired, then nodded. "He'll be fine?" he asked quietly.
"Of course he will," she replied with a reassuring smile. "He already is."
"Stay here with him," Elena said as she stood. "We'll go make dinner."
They left the room together, Elora following behind them to get something to drink.
Now it was just Kelvin and Dave, alone in the quiet room, the steady beeping of the heart monitor filling the silence.
"You've been like this for two days," Kelvin murmured. "It feels like you're drifting far from me, even though you're right here… close enough to touch, but I still can't hold you the way I want to."
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Dave's cheek, then to his hair. "I want to keep you safe. I want to give you all the love in the world, my beloved."
"Open your eyes and argue with me like you used to," he added with a shaky laugh. "Just be safe… that's all I want." His palm rested gently on Dave's tummy. "I want to protect both of you. You're my only priority."
"I'll make everything right," he whispered. "Between us… our parents… everything. Mum says it'll all be fine, and I pray she's right."
Night had already fallen when Dave's eyes slowly fluttered open. It was between 9 and 10 p.m. He didn't feel much physical pain, but his chest felt heavy, weighed down by emotions that made him want to cry until everything inside him loosened.
He turned his head slightly and saw Kelvin asleep beside him, his head resting on the bed.
Carefully, Dave lifted his hand and ran his fingers through Kelvin's hair, gently patting it.
"Kelvin… my love," he called softly.
Kelvin's head snapped up instantly at the sound of his voice. Relief flooded his face as he climbed onto the bed, pulling Dave into his arms.
"Dave! You're finally awake!" he cried, hugging him tightly. "I fucking missed you so much. How are you feeling?" Tears streamed down his face as he spoke.
"You're crying again?" Dave chuckled weakly, rubbing his head. "When did you turn into such a scary baby?" He kissed Kelvin softly before resting his forehead against his. "I feel better now. What about you? How have you been?"
"I'm not fine at all," Kelvin admitted quietly. "I missed you too much."
Dave wiped his tears with his thumb. "I missed you too, darling. But don't worry—I'm okay now. Up and active," he said with a small smile, lightly tapping Kelvin's chest.
"Our parents… how are they?" Dave asked, concern creeping into his voice. "My dad…?"
"Things are okay between them," Kelvin replied carefully. "Except your dad. He's still adamant."
Dave sighed deeply. "I don't know what's gotten into him. He's never been like this. I know me getting pregnant is shocking, but I never imagined he'd react this way."
He went quiet for a moment before speaking again. "Something isn't right, Kelvin. I don't know why, but everything feels… fishy. Do you think that witch woman could be involved? Could she be behind his behavior?"
Kelvin's expression changed instantly. "Wait… I didn't even think about that. But if that's true, how did your dad even get involved with her? They couldn't have met."
"At this point, nothing is impossible," Dave said firmly. "You know that woman would do anything to achieve her wicked goals. If she's involved, then she either manipulated my dad or threatened him so badly that he feels he has no choice but to want this baby terminated."
"And if she's really behind this," he continued, his voice hardening, "then nothing we say will change his mind. You know how that filthy witch twists people's thoughts."
Kelvin nodded slowly. The possibility made his stomach turn.
"She knows she's at the endgame now," Dave added. "She'll do anything to win. And our baby"—his hand moved protectively to his stomach—"is a threat to her. She always eliminates threats, but one thing is certain—I'll never let that happen."
Kelvin nodded "So what do we do now? How do we know for sure if she's behind all this?"
Dave met his eyes, determination burning in them. "That's why I have to confront my dad. I need to know exactly why he wants my baby terminated."