Outside the hospital, an ambulance arrives urgently with Maya on a stretcher, suspected of fruit poisoning. Diana and her three daughters, Isla and Betty among them, follow anxiously as paramedics rush Maya into the emergency unit. The family is overwhelmed with fear and helplessness, praying for Maya’s survival as she is taken into trauma care. The tension is palpable, with Diana pacing nervously and her daughters trying to stay strong while communicating with others on the phone.
Carl Rees, Maya’s husband, and Charles, Diana’s husband, arrive hurriedly, sharing the family’s distress. Diana clings to Charles, overwhelmed by the situation, while Carl struggles to maintain his composure. Gabriel Wyndham also appears, offering comfort to Diana with a reassuring embrace and words of hope, which stir a strange feeling within Isla as she watches them.
After a tense wait, a doctor emerges with good news: Maya and her baby are stable and out of danger after consuming a large amount of pineapple, which caused complications but is now under control. The family breathes a collective sigh of relief, grateful for the positive outcome. Maya is later resting safely at home, and life begins to return to normal.
Meanwhile, Gabriel and Isla head to his corporate office, where their presence draws attention and admiration from staff. Gabriel’s protective and tender demeanor toward Isla is evident as they enter the luxurious penthouse office. However, the calm is disrupted when Delphine unexpectedly appears, calling out and causing Isla’s heart to freeze, signaling a new tension just as the chapter ends.
Outside the hospital, the ambulance doors swung wide open with a sharp clang. Two paramedics leapt out swiftly, their faces etched with intense concentration as they hurriedly lowered the stretcher to the ground. The wheels hit the pavement with a quick roll, racing toward the entrance.
Diana ran behind them, her tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks. Her three daughters followed close behind—Isla and Betty among them—each looking pale and frightened, their expressions drawn tight with anxiety. The automatic sliding doors of the emergency unit parted with a soft hiss, and the group rushed inside, urgency thick in the air.
“What happened?” a head nurse asked, her tone urgent yet composed as she walked alongside the stretcher. One of the paramedics, still holding an oxygen mask firmly over Maya’s mouth, replied without pause.
“Suspected poisoning from fruit,” he said, breathless. “We don’t have all the details yet. She was convulsing on the way here.”
“Take her directly to Trauma One,” the nurse instructed firmly.
Without hesitation, the stretcher was pushed swiftly down the long, sterile corridor. Diana and her daughters stopped at the far end of the hallway, helplessly watching as Maya was wheeled through a swinging door. Once it closed behind her, an oppressive silence settled over the hallway. All they could do was pray and hope for a miracle.
Diana’s sobs grew louder, her hands trembling as she pressed them against her face. She leaned weakly against the cold wall, her voice breaking. “Oh God, please save my baby… my Maya,” she whispered, anguish pouring from every word.
Isla stood nearby, her eyes glued to her phone as she spoke softly into it, her voice low and shaky. Betty, too, was on the phone, explaining the situation to someone else, tears welling up in her eyes.
Diana couldn’t stay still. She paced anxiously back and forth across the hallway opposite the ER, her gaze flickering toward every nurse that passed. Medical staff moved briskly by, carrying trays of instruments, syringes, and IV fluids, but none looked her way or offered a word of comfort.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy, hurried footsteps echoed sharply down the corridor. Diana spun around—and there they were.
Carl Rees, Maya’s husband, burst into the hallway, his face pale and frantic. Beside him was Charles, Diana’s husband and Maya’s father, his expression grim but steady.
“Charles!” Diana cried, rushing toward him.
He caught her in a strong embrace. She clung to him tightly, burying her tear-streaked face against his chest. Her voice trembled as she spoke. “I don’t know what to do, Charles. Our girl… she’s fighting for her life. And the baby—”
Charles gently cupped the back of her head, his own eyes moist despite his effort to stay strong. “They’ll be okay, Diana. Just breathe, please. They’ll be fine.”
Nearby, Isla was quietly explaining the situation to Carl, her voice quivering. Carl looked distraught—his hands shook, lips pale. He nodded slowly, trying to steady himself even as his heart pounded wildly.
Moments later, the atmosphere shifted once more as another set of footsteps approached.
Gabriel Wyndham entered, flanked by two bodyguards dressed in black suits. His tall, commanding presence made people instinctively step aside.
The moment Diana saw him, she broke away from Charles and hurried toward Gabriel. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a gentle embrace, one arm wrapped firmly around her shoulders.
“It’s going to be okay,” he whispered softly, pressing a comforting kiss to her temple. “Both mother and baby will pull through.”
Diana clung to him as if his words alone could make it true.
Isla stood a few feet away, watching them. A strange feeling twisted inside her—a quiet, inexplicable pull. The way Gabriel held her mother, the warmth in his voice, the calm strength of his presence—it made her chest flutter with something she couldn’t quite name.
Just then, the ER doors slid open again. Everyone turned toward the entrance.
A doctor stepped out, removing his gloves and mask. “Is the patient’s husband here?” he asked.
Carl stepped forward immediately. “I am. How is my wife? Please, tell me she’s okay.” His voice cracked halfway through.
“Calm down,” the doctor said kindly. “Your wife and baby are out of danger. Both are stable now.”
Relief swept through the family like a wave of light. Diana gasped softly, covering her mouth, whispering a prayer of thanks. Betty hugged Isla tightly, tears still glistening in her eyes. Even Carl’s knees nearly buckled as he let out a shaky breath.
“Just Dora, ma’am,” the young woman replied eagerly. “Please, call me Dora.”
“Alright, Dora. I’m happy to meet you, too. Thank you for the warm welcome.”
They exchanged a brief smile before Gabriel gently guided Isla forward again, his hand resting possessively around her waist.
As they reached his office door, another door to the side opened quietly. At first, Isla didn’t pay much attention—until a familiar voice called out.
Her heart froze.
Delphine stepped out.
The chapter closes on a note of fragile hope and quiet strength, as the family rallies around Maya in her moment of crisis. The raw emotions of fear, desperation, and relief weave through the scene, underscoring the deep bonds that hold them together. Despite the harrowing ordeal, the unwavering support from loved ones like Charles, Gabriel, and the daughters offers a comforting reminder that even in the darkest times, love and faith can be a powerful refuge.
Meanwhile, the subtle shifts in relationships and the tender moments between Gabriel and Isla hint at a growing intimacy that contrasts with the earlier tension. The chapter delicately balances the urgency of life’s unpredictable challenges with the gentle unfolding of connection and trust. As the story moves forward, the characters’ resilience and emotional complexity promise to deepen, drawing readers ever closer into their intertwined lives.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate web of emotions and relationships that have been delicately woven so far. With Maya’s health crisis now behind them, the focus shifts to the complex dynamics between Isla, Gabriel, and the unexpected presence of Delphine. The tension that arises from this encounter will undoubtedly stir feelings of unease and curiosity, hinting at unresolved issues and perhaps hidden motives lurking beneath the surface.
As Isla navigates the opulence of Gabriel’s world, the contrast between her vulnerability and the powerful environment around her will become more pronounced. The subtle gestures of possession and protection from Gabriel suggest a growing intimacy, but the sudden appearance of Delphine threatens to disrupt this fragile balance. Readers can anticipate a chapter filled with emotional undercurrents, where loyalties may be tested and secrets could begin to unravel, setting the stage for challenges that will push the characters to their limits.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.

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