Page 36 of Echos and Empires
A fierce protectiveness surged through him, his jaw clenching with determination. No matter what it took, he would keep Emma and their unborn children safe from harm.
“Emma?” He tried to keep his voice steady as he entered the room. “With news of twins there are more checks they have to do.”
“That makes sense,” She smiled as she smoothed the gown. “Why do you look so spooked?
“Emma, there’s something I need to tell you,” he began, his voice low and urgent. “I overheard the doctors talking about an influx of patients, all men, with the same symptoms. They’re worried it might be some kind of virus or outbreak.”
Her eyes widened, her hand instinctively moving to rest on her stomach. “What does that mean for us?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “For the babies?”
Alex shook his head, his brow furrowed with concern. “I’m not sure,” he admitted, reaching out to take her hand in his. “But Doctor Rob doesn’t want you to take any chances and I think I agree. I think it’s best if we leave, just to be safe. I could be wrong, and I didn’t see anything that directly threatened you, but I don’t want to risk it.” He was going to get her out of here before they noticed. They’d come back as a unit. No one was going to try to separate them from Emma if all five of them showed up.
Emma nodded, her grip tightening on his hand. “Okay,” she agreed, her voice steady despite the fear that flickered in her eyes. “If you think it’s best, then I trust you. We’ll leave, and I can come back later with a mask, like the doctor suggested.”
Just as Alex opened his mouth to respond, a sharp knock sounded at the door, causing them both to jump. A moment later, a Heather, a nurse, stepped into the room, her expression unreadable.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, her tone brisk and businesslike. “But I’ve been informed that all pregnant women are required to undergo a mandatory special check-up with Mr. Warrington. It’s a new protocol, given the importance of ensuring the health and safety of our expectant mothers.”
Alex’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he processed the nurse’s words. “What?” he demanded, his voice sharp with disbelief. “Rob just told me that Emma should leave, to protect her from any potential threats. Why would Victor suddenly mandate a special check-up?”
The nurse shrugged, her expression impassive. “I’m just following orders,” she replied, her gaze shifting to Emma. “Mr. Warrington has taken a special interest in pregnancies, particularly those involving twins. He wants to ensure that every precaution is taken to protect the health of both mother and children.”
Alex’s jaw clenched, a wave of frustration washing over him. Nothing about this made sense, and the idea of Emma being subjected to some kind of invasive examination at Victor’s behest made his stomach churn with unease.
“Fine,” he gritted out, his hand tightening around Emma’s. “But I’m coming with her. I won’t let her go through this alone.”
The nurse shook her head, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. “I’m afraid that’s not possible,” she said, her tone brooking no argument. “This check-up is for women only, even ifthe patient consents to having her partner present. It’s a matter of privacy and security.”
Emma squeezed Alex’s hand, drawing his attention back to her. “It’s okay,” she murmured, her voice soft but determined. “I’ll be fine. I’ll go with the nurse, and I’ll come find you as soon as it’s over.”
Alex hesitated, every instinct screaming at him to refuse, to insist on staying by her side. But the look in Emma’s eyes, the quiet strength and resilience that had drawn him to her from the very beginning, made him pause.
“Okay,” he whispered, his throat tight with emotion. “But promise me you’ll be careful. And if anything feels off, anything at all, you come find me immediately.”
Emma nodded, rising up on her toes to press a soft kiss to his cheek. “I promise,” she murmured, before turning to follow the nurse out of the room, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts and the growing sense of dread that churned in his gut.
As the door closed behind Emma and the nurse, Alex stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest as he struggled to process the rapid turn of events. A part of him wanted to race after them, to demand answers and refuse to let Emma out of his sight. But he knew that rash action would only make matters worse.
Instead, he forced himself to take a deep breath, his hands clenching into fists at his sides as he fought to regain control of his emotions. He needed to think, to come up with a plan that would keep Emma safe and get to the bottom of whatever was happening on the island.
His mind raced as he considered his options, weighing the risks and benefits of each course of action. He couldn’t trust the doctors or the nurses, not after the way they’d contradicted each other and insisted on separating him from Emma. And he certainly couldn’t trust Victor, not with the man’s reputation for ruthlessness and his apparent obsession with pregnant women.
No, if you’re going to protect Emma and our unborn children, you need to take matters into your own hands.
And the first step was to gather his allies in the medical clinic, to share what he’d learned and enlist their help in uncovering the truth.
Alex’s jaw clenched with determination as he made his decision, his steps quickening as he strode towards the door. He would find Chris and the others, and together they would come up with a plan to keep Emma and the community safe. Leaving her felt dangerous, but getting the unit to protect her was far more important. They would get to the bottom of the mysterious symptoms afflicting the men, and they would expose any dark secrets that Victor and his cronies were hiding.
With a final glance back at the medical center, Alex squared his shoulders and set off into the unknown, his heart heavy with the weight of responsibility but his resolve unshakable. Come what may, he would face the future head-on, and he would do whatever it took to keep his loved ones safe.
FOURTEEN
The smellof antiseptic closed in like a fog as Emma followed the nurse down a blinding white corridor.They wanted her without Alex? Not terribly odd even before the bombs.
“Right through here. I promise it won’t be long.”
She still didn’t know the nurse’s name, but she couldn’t quite think the woman would put a baby in harm’s way.
“And we’re certain this is safe?”
