Page 40 of Pregnant Bratva Virgin

“Down the hall to Level G, and the unit will be on the left. She’s in Ward 10. If you get lost, there’s a nurse’s station available to direct you.”

In the elevator, I watch Emily’s legs shake. “Thank you.”

Holding her steady I whisper quietly in her ear, “She’s going to be fine. Laura’s not going anywhere. Have faith,” I tell her, giving her a winning smile and shoving my hands in my pocket instead of putting an arm around her as we wait patiently. I want to, and the bricks of guilt are slowly stacking up inside of me. I take one hand out, placing a hand on her back as Emily stares at me intently.

“Thank you for helping her.” The creeping guilt returns. I’d backed Emily into a corner. She virtually had no choice but to take up my offer if she wanted to save Laura. Yes, she might have gotten the money elsewhere, but God knows how hard it would have been for her.

“No problem,” I tell her quietly as we wait, the hours ticking by while we eat snacks and chat about the nursery for the baby and other things.

A man comes out a few hours later in green scrubs, a line of sweat over his brow. “Hi. Mr. and Mrs. Utkin?”

Standing, I pull Emily up next to me, hugging her shoulders working to read the man’s face. “Yes, that’s us. What’s happening in there?”

“Ah, my name’s Dr. Winchester. We’ve spoken several times, Ryurik.”

Reserving my smile, I hold his gaze meaning business.Of course you know me, Doctor. I paid you a special bonus to be here and to save Laura.

“Yes, we have. Tell us what’s going on.”

Emily stares at the doctor, her eyes full of worry, but also full of fear. “Yes, please. Tell us.”

The doctor winces before delivering the news. “There’s been a complication in the surgery, and we’re working on it. Laura’s liver has been significantly damaged over the years, and as such it’s caused many of her surrounding organs to malfunction.”

Exasperated, I challenge the doctor. “How come this wasn’t picked up earlier?” I snap, but Laura’s liver failing isn’t something I can do anything about truthfully. It’s better left to the experts without our interference.

“Trust me, the team is working overtime,” Dr. Winchester reinforces as tears stream down Emily’s face. “I want you both to prepare yourselves if she doesn’t pull through.”

“What?Make it through?” Emily repeats, closing her eyes, but shaking her head, looking at me.I’ve failed.This was supposed to be a straightforward transplant and currently it’s turning into a big nightmare.

“I’m sorry we don’t have more answers for you, but we’re working on it,” Dr. Winchester advises. “I didn’t want you sitting out here another three hours without knowing what’s going on.”

“Please, do all you can,” Emily begs as I rub her back wanting to take her angst away, but I can’t.

“Yes. Doctor. Do all you can,” I add, echoing Emily’s sentiments.

“Oh, we will. Keep both of you posted. I’ve got to head back in, okay?” He’s not cold and, considering the circumstances, he handled the situation with as much care as he possibly could.

“Okay, thank you, Doctor,” Emily replies in a blubbering mess, her body shaking. We’re one of the few people in thewaiting room, and I can’t stand next to Emily letting her break down. She puts her face in her hands, crying her heart out as I hug her into my body, hurting as much as she does. The sorrow is almost too much for me. Hugging her, I rub her back, letting her cry into my chest until the tears run out.

“Hey, I’m here. It’s going to be okay. I’ve got your back.” I keep talking to her, letting her hold on to me, the tears soaking through my shirt, but I don’t care. I just want her to feel better. We stand in the middle of the hospital waiting room, rocking back and forth, and I give her as much warmth as I can of myself.

It feels good to care for Emily, and it’s a feeling I want to keep going.

“They can’t let her die, Ryurik. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“She’s not going to die. She’s going to come out the other side and be great,” I tell her cheerfully. “Come on. Let’s get out of this waiting room and get something to eat.”

Holding out my hand, she takes it, and we walk down the corridor in search of food. “I don’t think I can eat anything.”

“Just a little something. For you and the baby. Come on. We’ve both been here for five hours and eaten nothing. You need some fresh air.”

“Thank you.” Emily smiles, holding my hand, but I don’t feel worthy of the thank you. I’m the one who should be saying it to her. We grab sandwiches, drink and eat, heading out to the courtyard for a quick breather and return.

The hours tick over as Emily, and I sit together in the waiting room, and I answer emails on my phone. All of them seem insignificant, so I tell Viktor to hold all my calls unless it’s an emergency. Emily falls asleep on my shoulder, and I’m glad she’s resting.

It’s a few hours later before the doctor comes out, and this time, he’s all smiles as he pulls back his mask. “Hey, guys.” The exhaustion plays on his face as I tap Emily’s shoulder, waking her up. “Good, you got some rest.” The doctor puts his thumbs-up with a grin, and Emily’s sleepiness wears off.

“Good news?” she asks, holding on to my arm.

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