The words echoed in Davidson's head long after the doctor had finished speaking.
Six weeks pregnant.
Jane's hands flew to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. Davidson stood frozen, his heart pounding so violently he feared it might burst out of his chest.
"P-pregnant?" he repeated hoarsely. "Are you sure?"
The doctor nodded calmly. "Very sure. The fainting was due to emotional shock she must have experienced compounded by exhaustion. She'll be fine, but she needs rest—both physical and emotional."
Davidson ran a hand through his hair and exhaled shakily. Jasmine was pregnant with a baby. Not just any baby. His.
Jane sank into a chair, not knowing whether to be happy or overwhelmed. "Oh my God… Jasmine is going to be a mother."
Davidson didn't hear anything else. His mind raced—fear suddenly clouding his joy.His child would be born into a world soaked in blood, secrets, and enemies. A world his mother ruled with an iron fist. Where cruelty ruled vile.
"No," he whispered to himself. "Not that world."
Jasmine stirred slowly, her eyelids fluttering open. The first thing she felt was a dull ache in her head—and then the weight of everything rushed back.
"Jasmine," Jane whispered, rushing to her side. "My baby."
Jasmine turned her face away. "Don't," she said weakly. "Please… just don't."
Davidson stepped forward cautiously. "Jasmine… it's me."
Her eyes met his, and fresh tears spilled instantly.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry," was all he could mutter.
"Jasmine...." Her mother called softly.
"Don't…. Just don't...You lied to me. Both of you.The two people I'm supposed to trust the most have turn out to be the most deceitful people in my life. Why…..??" The sobs didn't allow her.
"I know," he said, his voice breaking. "And I hate myself for it every second. But my feelings for you were never a lie. Never."
She laughed bitterly. "Indeed. How very convenient. Coming from the one and only Davidson Bryan-Hills."
Jane hesitated, then spoke gently. "Jasmine… there's something you need to know."
"I don't want to hear anything else," Jasmine said, her voice trembling.
"You're pregnant."
Silence fell.
Jasmine stared blankly at the ceiling. "What?"
"Six weeks," Jane said softly.
Her breath hitched. "That's… that's impossible…"
Davidson dropped to his knees beside the bed. "Jasmine," he whispered. "I swear on my life—I will protect you and our child. I don't care who I have to fight. I'll leave everything behind if I have to."
She turned slowly to him, her eyes blazing. "You don't get to make promises anymore. Especially empty ones. Not after everything that has happened."
"I know," he said. "But please… don't shut me out."
She placed a trembling hand over her stomach.
A child.
A life was now growing inside her. A new sense of responsibility which she had to protect from a lot of things; mafia wars and blood oaths. What has she gotten herself into??
Tears streamed freely now. "I don't want my child growing up in fear," she said. "I don't want them looking over their shoulder every day. I don't want them becoming you."
The words cut deep than any sword or knife had ever done.
Davidson swallowed hard. "Then let me become someone else.Not just for our unborn child but also for you . For us."
Elsewhere, Mrs. Elena Bryan-Hills stood before the massive glass windows of her mansion, a phone pressed to her ear.
"She's pregnant," she said coldly.
A pause.
"Yes. Davidson's."
Another pause—then a slow, dangerous smile curved her lips.
"Well," she murmured, "I guess that changes everything."
She ended the call and turned to her guards.
"Double security on the estate. And find out everything about Jasmine Ferguson—every weakness she has,and above all, every connection."
"What about Davidson, ma'am?"
Her eyes hardened. "If my son chooses love over legacy… then I'll remind him what blood truly means."
Back at the hospital, Jasmine closed her eyes.
"I need time," she said quietly. "For myself. For the baby."
Davidson nodded. "I'll wait. No matter how long it takes."
As he took her hand gently, neither of them noticed the dark figure watching from the end of the corridor—already reporting back to the underworld.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
The hospital room was too quiet.Her mum had gone home and Davidson had gone to the speak with the doctor.
Jasmine lay on the narrow bed, staring at the white ceiling, her mind replaying everything over and over again—Davidson's face, his sincerity as he said those words to her; the same sincerity with which he professed love to her but can that sincerity stop whatever war she just ignited between herself, her family and Mrs Elena Hills??
Her hand rested unconsciously on her stomach.
Six weeks.
The thought felt unreal, like something borrowed from another woman's life. A child. Their child. How could something so fragile exist in the middle of so much chaos?
The door creaked open softly.
Davidson hesitated and then stepped inside. His steps in sync with the calculations going on in his head. He knew he was in for a bumpy ride when he decided he wanted to fall in love with Jasmine but now, the thought of them having a child was too much for him to bear despite how well he was trying to mask his fear.
He knew what his mother was capable of doing and was sure she was aware of the pregnancy. He wouldn't doubt that. After all, she had numerous spies working around the clock for her.
He masked his fear with a warm smile and walked towards her
"Hey," he said gently.
She didn't respond.
He moved closer, stopping beside the bed. "The doctor says you can go home tomorrow."
"Home?" she echoed quietly, finally turning to look at him. "Which home, Davidson? Yours? Mine?"
"Which ever one you want to go to."
"Tell me the truth, David. Am I safe? Am I really safe?? With everything going on out there, is the world a safe place for me and our unborn child?"
The words struck hard.
"I know you're angry," he said, his voice low. "And you have every right to be."
"Angry?" She let out a hollow laugh. "I'm terrified."