Chapter 6 - THE BABY WHO ARRIVED EARLYThe stress triggered Claire's premature labor.
She was only thirty-one weeks pregnant.
Doctors tried everything.
Medication.
Fluids.
Monitoring.
Rest.
Nothing worked.
At 4:17 a.m., the doctor told her they needed to deliver the baby.
Claire's face went white.
"He's too small."
"He's early," the doctor said. "But he's not hopeless."
She looked toward Luca.
"I can't do this."
He stepped closer.
"You don't have to feel strong."
He took her hand.
"You only have to get through the next minute."
At 5:02 a.m., Claire gave birth to a son.
Ethan Daniel Bennett.
Three pounds, twelve ounces.
He cried once before doctors rushed him to the neonatal unit.
Claire cried harder.
Luca remained beside her.
He did not pretend to be Daniel.
He did not promise to replace anyone.
He simply stayed.
Ethan spent twenty-six days in intensive care.
Claire spent almost every minute beside him.
Luca came every day.
He learned hospital rules.
He learned how to hold a premature baby.
He learned that Claire preferred decaf.
Most importantly, he learned when to speak and when to remain silent.
One evening, Claire finally asked:
"Why are you still here?"
Luca looked at Ethan.
"Because I care about you."
She swallowed.
"I'm still grieving Daniel."
"I know."
"I will always love him."
"I know."
"Then what do you want?"
"Nothing."
She stared.
"Nothing?"
"You need to heal."
"And you?"
"I need to make sure the life I'm offering you is worth entering."
May you like
Claire looked at him differently.
For the first time, she wondered whether the dangerous man everyone feared might actually be trying to become someone worthy of being trusted.
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