Page 65 of Arranged to Marry the Bratva

“Lev, Dima,” I hear Boris tell them beside me. “Fedor needs urgent care too, but we can’t take him to the hospital with the injuries he has. There would be an inquiry, which could lead us all to trouble. Take him to our home, call for the doctor, and set up the medical unit in-house. Make sure he’s alright.”

"Take care of Fedor," I order Dima and Lev, my voice hard with urgency when the instructions are done.

"Got it," Dima nods, closing the door to the backseat where Fedor lies and getting in the front while Lev takes the wheel. The car wheels off.

My mind races as I glance at Anoushka's fragile form. What if I lose her? The thought is unbearable, a sharp pain stabbing through my heart.

Just then, more cars drive in.

"Let's go," I bark, sliding Anoushka gently into the back of a waiting car and cradling her head in my lap. Boris tells the driver to get off and takes the wheel while Damien climbs in beside him, their expressions somber and determined.

We speed off toward the hospital.

As we race through the streets, I can't help but stroke Anoushka's hair, desperately willing her to wake up. "Please," I whisper, my voice choked with emotion, "say something.”

"Stay strong, Nikolai," Damien murmurs from ahead, but I can see the worry in his eyes. I ask for the bottle of water and sprinkle some drops on her face. Her eyelashes flutter, but that’s it. She doesn’t wake.

I gently place my hand on her belly and kiss her forehead, praying all my strength into her, knowing that now is not the time to fall apart.

Damien notices from the front. I catch him watching me in the rearview mirror. “She’s a fighter,” he says.

I can’t find any words. I just nod, my gaze never leaving Anoushka's face. Time slows to a crawl as we speed toward the hospital, every passing second an eternity.

Anoushka's eyes flutter open for a brief moment, giving me a glimpse of the fear hidden within their depths. "Nikolai," she whispers, her voice weak and trembling. I squeeze her hand gently, trying to convey my unwavering support.

"Stay with me, Anoushka," I plead, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions. Her eyes drift shut again, and a shudder runs through me at the thought of losing her.

“Is she awake?” Boris asks in a near-panic from the front. “Anoushka?” he calls out to the backseat, flicking his gaze between the road and the back. “We’re here. You’re safe.”

“You hear that, my love?” I whisper to her, taking her hand gently and giving it a small squeeze. “We’re almost at the hospital.”

I think I feel her squeeze my hand back ever so gently. Damien calls the head of the hospital just before we reach, informing him of the situation.

As the car pulls up to the hospital entrance, a team of doctors and nurses are already waiting with a stretcher, prepared to whisk Anoushka away. The moment the vehicle comes to a stop, they spring into action, lifting her fragile form onto the gurney. I can't help but feel a sense of helplessness wash over me as they rush her inside, leaving me standing in the wake of their urgency.

"Sirs?" A nurse approaches us, snapping me out of my daze. "Please come with me. We'll take you all to the waiting area."

I nod numbly and follow her through the sterile halls, my mind reeling with worry and fear. What if something goes wrong? What if… No, I can't allow myself to think like that.

"Here," the nurse says, gesturing to a row of chairs outside the emergency room. "Please, take a seat. We'll update you as soon as we can."

"Thank you," I manage to choke out before sinking into one of the chairs, my heart heavy with anxiety. Boris and Damien stand close by, their presence a silent reminder that I'm not alone in this fight.

As I sit in the cold, impersonal waiting room, my thoughts race, consumed by worry for Anoushka. The room feels confined, trapping me within its sterile walls. I can't shake the feeling that time is slowing to a crawl, each second an eternity.

Damien goes to get some coffee, but I refuse. He tries to get me to eat an energy bar, but I can’t focus on anything but her.

"Hey, Nikolai." Boris places a hand on my shoulder, his voice gentle and understanding. "We're here for you. And we know how much Anoushka means to you. She’s the light of all our lives, and she will power through."

Damien steps closer, looking equally concerned. "Boris is right. She'll pull through this, and whatever comes next, we've got your back."

"Thank you," I say, my voice barely audible. On any other day, their acceptance would have been all that mattered. Today, it hardly matters in light of what she might be going through.

Unable to sit still any longer, I rise from my seat and begin pacing the waiting room. My mind races with possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. What if she doesn't wake up? What if there are complications?

"Anoushka is strong, and she has us by her side," Damien adds, trying to reassure me still. "She's going to be fine. You have to believe in her.”

"I want to," I murmur, forcing myself to take a deep breath. "I just… I can't lose her. Not now, not after everything we've been through. And we’re about to start a family,” I hold back a choked sob.

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