Page 59 of Never To Forever

I shouldn’t have expected more from him. He’s so wrapped up in that damn promise… I don’t stand a chance against his determination to keep it. As he understands it, at least. The thought makes my heart twist. I push it away, focusing instead on the winding road ahead. I need to talk to Haven again and find out how her conversation with Garrett went. If she thinks there’s still hope, maybe I won’t give up… but if she doesn’t…

When I pull into the driveway, I try to shake off the weight of the anxiety pressing down on me. Haven’s car is in the driveway, but something doesn’t feel right… the house looks still—too still. The curtains are drawn, no lights shine through the windows, and I can’t hear any music or voices from inside. Something is definitely off.

I step out of the car, my footsteps crunching on the gravel as I approach the front door.

When I knock, no one answers. A sense of unease settles over me.

Trying the doorknob, I find it unlocked.

Opening the door, I call out, “Haven? It’s me, Marie.”

Silence.

My unease deepens. The house feels unnaturally quiet. My sneakers squeak against the hardwood floor as I make my way into the living room. No sign of her there.

What’s going on? I’m seized by a sense of foreboding.

“Haven, where are you?” My voice wavers as I walk toward the stairs. A faint groan reaches my ears, stopping me dead in my tracks. I freeze, straining to hear over the pounding of my heart.

Another sound—this time clearer—comes from upstairs. A second groan. It sounds painful.

Panicked, I bolt up the steps two at a time, my breath catching in my throat. “Haven!”

The groans grow louder as I approach the bedroom. Pushing the door open, Haven sits on the edge of the bed, her face pale and shiny with sweat. One hand clutches her abdomen, and the other grips the edge of the mattress. Her breathing is labored, and her eyes, wide with fear, meet mine. Relief washes over her face, but it’s fleeting, quickly replaced by a grimace of pain.

“Marie,” she whispers, her voice strained. “Oh, thank God!”

I rush to her side, dropping my bag to the floor. “Haven! What’s happening? Where’s Christian?”

She groans and rolls her eyes. “Oh, he had a work emergency in Houston. He wasn’t going to go, but I convinced him that he should and I’d be okay, so of course this happens…”

My gaze falls to her belly. “Are you?—”

She cuts me off with a gasp. “I think… I think it’s time.”

My stomach flips. “Oh my God. Okay. Okay, um...” I look around the room, my thoughts racing. I have to keep my cool. No matter what, anxiety and fear can’t overwhelm me because that’s not going to help Haven. Still, I wasn’t expecting this. The baby isn’t due for a few more weeks…

“You’re early,” I blurt out.

“I know!” she snaps, her voice laced with panic and pain. “Tell the baby that!”

“Right. Sorry.” I take a deep breath, trying to focus. “We need to get you to the hospital. Can you walk?”

Haven shakes her head, biting her lip as another contraction takes hold. She leans forward, her whole body trembling as she lets out a strangled cry. Fuck, fuck, fuck! She’s in so much pain!

I grab her hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’m here, okay? We’re going to get through this.”

The words tumble out because I have no idea what else to say. How are we going to get through this? Doesn’t matter, I’m going to do everything to help her right now.

She nods weakly, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Where’s Oliver?” I ask.

“With my step-dad,” she groans. “Christian called him when he finally decided to leave town…asked him to watch him so I could rest. We need to let Peter know what’s going on.”

“We will, we will,” I assure her, scanning the room. “Do you have a hospital bag packed?”

“Closet,” she manages through gritted teeth.

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