Page 87 of Set me Free

She didn’t answer at first. Just stared at me, her jaw clenched, her fingers gripping the sheets. "That’s why I came home early," she finally said. "I wanted to surprise you."

My God. I felt physically sick.

"Is the baby okay?"

“It’s fine, Creed… Please leave.”

“Baby, come on…”

"Don’t," she cut me off, her eyes filling with fresh tears.

"Serenity, please," I begged. "I fucked up. I know I did. But don’t do this?—"

"No," she snapped, her voice sharp, final. "You did this. You made your bed. Now you can lay in it."

She turned her head away, staring at the wall. The silent dismissal was louder than a scream.

25

SERENITY

The door clicked shut behind him. And finally—finally—he was gone.

I laid there, staring at the ceiling, my body feeling empty, my heart feeling hollow. I should have felt relieved. But I didn’t. Because despite how badly he hurt me, despite how shattered I was— I still loved him. And that? That was the worst part of all of this.

Just hours ago, I had been so happy. I had boarded a flight back home, my fingers tracing over the ultrasound photo in my purse. I had been so excited to see him, to tell him that our family was growing, that Gio was going to be a big brother.

But instead… Instead, I was here. Alone. Lying in a hospital bed with an IV in my arm. My Lexus was wrecked. My body was bruised. My relationship was over. The only thing I was thankful for was my baby.

I laid my hand over my stomach, my palm pressing gently against the small but growing life inside me.

"I’m so sorry, baby," I whispered, my throat thick with emotion. Tears slid down the sides of my face, wetting the pillow beneath me.

A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. The doctor walked in, a tablet in hand, smiling gently. "How are you feeling, Miss Bradshaw?"

I swallowed hard. "Like my world just fell apart."

Her smile faltered slightly, but she didn’t pry. "We’re going to keep you overnight, just to monitor everything. Your injuries are minor, but we want to ensure that both you and the baby remain stable." I nodded weakly, barely processing what she was saying. "Would you like to change into a fresh hospital gown?" I nodded again no words escaping my lips.

As she handed me the gown and stepped out, I felt a deep ache settle into my chest. I needed someone. I needed my mama. With shaky hands I reached for the hospital phone. My mind was foggy, but one number came to me instantly, so I dialed it.

It rang once…twice.

"This is Dwight speaking." Relief flooded me.

"Dwight…" My voice broke, and suddenly, I was crying again.

"Serenity? Baby, what’s wrong?"

"I—I need to talk to my mama," I choked out.

"Hold on."

There was a shuffle. A moment of silence. Then?—

"Serenity?" Upon hearing my mother’s voice, I broke down completely.

"Mommy," I sobbed.

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