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Chapter 126 – Ethan's POV
"The moment I got the call, my heart stopped."
I was in the middle of a boardroom meeting when my phone buzzed in my pocket—twice.
Urgent.
I ignored the first vibration. Then came the second… and the third.
A chill ran down my spine.
The meeting room faded into background noise as I pulled my phone out and saw Amara's name flash on the screen, followed by a single message:
"It's happening. Arya's in labor."
The world shifted beneath my feet.
Without a word, I stood and walked out of the room, barely hearing the confused voices calling after me. I didn't owe anyone an explanation. My family came first—she came first.
By the time I got to the parking garage, Amara was already there, pacing beside my car, phone clutched in her hand.
"She's been taken to the hospital," Amara said, breathless. "Damon's with her. Her water broke at home while she was playing with Liam."
"Is she okay?" I asked instantly.
"She's in pain. Contractions hit hard and fast. Damon said it's serious now. They're on their way to the hospital."
I didn't wait for anything else. I unlocked the car, and we both jumped in. The tires screeched as I reversed and peeled out of the parking lot like a man possessed.
The hospital was twenty minutes away—but I drove like hell and made it in twelve.
The whole time, Amara was silent beside me, her fingers nervously tapping against her leg.
"She's going to be okay," I said, more to convince myself than her.
"She's strong," Amara whispered, looking out the window. "But I've never heard Damon sound so… shaken."
I gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Damon Blackwood—Mr. Composed, Mr. Control-everything—wasn't easy to rattle. If he sounded shaken, Arya had to be in real pain.
And I hated that I wasn't there when it started.
I should've been.
Even if I wasn't the father of her child—even if Damon was the man by her side now—Arya was still my person. She was my best friend. The woman who once made me believe I could be a better man.
And she was about to go through the most intense moment of her life.
We reached the hospital, and I barely finished parking before I was out of the car. Amara followed, her hand grabbing mine as we rushed into the maternity wing.
The receptionist looked up as we burst in. "Can I help you—"
"Blackwood. Arya Blackwood," I cut in quickly. "She's in labor."
She tapped something into her system. "She's already been taken to the delivery ward. Room 207. Only one person is allowed inside during labor—"
"I know," I said. "We'll wait."
I turned to Amara, who looked pale and worried.
We found the nearest row of chairs and sat. Minutes ticked by slowly, torturously. The hallway was too quiet, the air too still. Every few seconds, a nurse would walk by, and I'd find myself halfway on my feet, hoping they'd give us some kind of update.
They didn't.
Time passed like molasses.
"She was scared about this, you know," Amara said quietly, finally breaking the silence. "Arya. She joked about it sometimes, but I think it really worried her."
I nodded. "She's always put up a strong front. Even when she's scared, she wants everyone else to feel safe."
"Damon must be losing it in there."
I glanced sideways at her. "He better be doing everything right."
Amara gave me a tired smile. "You still act like her older brother sometimes."
"She was the first person to see me differently," I murmured. "Not just as Ethan Lantel, the rich guy who flirted with the world. She saw me as… worth loving. Even if we weren't meant to be, she changed everything for me."
"She still matters to you," Amara whispered.
"More than I know how to explain."
We sat in silence again, the hum of machines and distant beeps filling the air.
Then, finally, footsteps.
Damon emerged from the hallway, a bit sweaty, his shirt wrinkled, a stunned expression on his face like he had just been hit with a truck—but a beautiful one.
He looked at us and smiled faintly, like someone waking from a dream.
"She did it," he said hoarsely. "The baby's here."
Amara gasped and leaped up. "She's okay?"
"She's perfect," Damon nodded, running a hand through his hair. "Arya's tired, but strong. She's incredible. She… she gave birth to the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen."
I stood slowly, my chest tight, emotions clawing their way up.
"I'm a dad now," Damon whispered, his voice cracking slightly. "I can't even believe it."
I took a step forward and, to both our surprise, pulled him into a hug. He tensed slightly at first, then patted my back.
"Congratulations," I said. And I meant it.
Because in that moment, I wasn't jealous. I wasn't bitter.
I was proud. Proud that Arya had someone who held her through every scream, every push, every tear.
"How's Arya?" I asked, stepping back.
"She's asking for water. Complained about the hospital blanket already." Damon chuckled, eyes soft. "She's still Arya."
I laughed under my breath, relief finally creeping in.
Amara sniffled beside me, and I turned to wrap my arm around her. "Can we see her?"
"Not yet," Damon said gently. "They're cleaning up and checking vitals. But soon."
He looked at me again. "Thank you for coming."
I nodded. "Of course. I wouldn't be anywhere else."
As Damon went back to Arya's room, I sat back down beside Amara.
And for the first time since the day began, I let myself breathe.
She was safe.
She was a mother now.
And even though life had taken us in different directions… I'd never stop showing up for Arya Blackwood.
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End of Chapter 126 – Ethan's POV