Waiting in the shadows

Breaking point

The cold Swedish night wrapped around Maya as soon as she stepped outside Damien's family's house.

The warmth, the laughter, the comfort she had briefly allowed herself to feel vanished the moment the door closed behind her. Snow crunched softly beneath her boots as she walked, her breath uneven, her mind replaying the image she couldn't unsee.

Sophie.

Pregnant.

Maya pressed a hand to her chest, willing her heart to slow. It doesn't concern you, she told herself. You left. You chose peace. But her body didn't listen. A sharp pain cut through her lower abdomen without warning. She stopped abruptly, gasping. Another wave followed-stronger, tighter-forcing her to bend forward.

"No... no, please," she whispered, panic rising.

Tears spilt freely now. She tried to breathe the way the doctor had taught her before. Slow. Controlled. It didn't work. Her body trembled as the pain returned, unmistakable this time. People nearby noticed. A woman rushed toward her, speaking rapidly in Swedish. Maya shook her head, " Please help clutching her stomach. Another passerby was already calling for help.

Within minutes, everything blurred-sirens, voices, cold air replaced by harsh white lights.

Maya lay on the hospital bed, her heart racing as machines beeped steadily beside her. A nurse spoke gently, adjusting monitors while another checked her vitals. The doctor arrived shortly after, calm but firm.

"You experienced stress-induced contractions," he explained. "The baby is stable-for now. But you must avoid emotional shock. Severe stress can be dangerous at this stage."

Maya nodded weakly, tears sliding silently down her temples.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to-"

"This is not about fault," the doctor said. "It's about protection. Your body is telling you something."

She closed her eyes, her hand resting protectively over her stomach. Even here, even now, the past had found her again.

Damien The door opened quietly.

Damien rushed in, coat still half-buttoned, worry written plainly across his face. Relief washed over Maya at the sight of him, followed immediately by guilt.

"I came as soon as they called," he said softly, taking the seat beside her. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, unable to speak for a moment. He didn't press her. Didn't ask questions. He simply stayed, his presence steady and grounding. When her breathing faltered, he handed her water. When her hands shook, he held them-gentle, respectful, no expectations. For the first time that night, Maya felt safe again Thousands of miles away, Lucas sat in his childhood home in Italy, the tension thick in the air.

Sophie's laughter echoed faintly from another room, grating against his nerves. He hadn't touched his food. His phone lay face-up on the table, his attention drifting to it again and again.

Something felt wrong.

He excused himself abruptly and stepped outside, the cool Italian air doing little to calm him. After a moment's hesitation, he dialled Maya's number.

"Maya?" His voice was careful. "I just wanted to check on you. And the baby."

She answered from the hospital bed, her voice quiet, tired.

"I'm in the hospital, Lucas."

His heart dropped. "What? What happened?"

"I saw the announcement," she said simply. "About Sophie. I had complications. Stress." Silence stretched between them.

"That's not true," Lucas said quickly. "Whatever she posted it's not true. I'll deal with it. I promise."

"Don't," Maya interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "I can't do this again."

"Maya-"

"My body reacted before I could stop it," she continued. "The doctor warned me. I can't live in chaos. I won't."

"I can fix this," Lucas insisted, desperation creeping in. "Please-"

"No," she said gently. "Move on, Lucas. I am going to."

Her voice didn't shake. That was what hurt the most.

"You can see your child anytime but only when he is born I don't want emotional attachment" she added. "That's all."

Before he could say anything else, the call ended

Maya turned her phone face down and finally let herself cry. Damien noticed immediately, standing to close the curtain around her bed, giving her privacy without leaving.

In Italy, Lucas stared at his dark screen, his chest tight, his hands trembling.

For the first time, it was clear. This wasn't about Sophie anymore. It was about everything he hadn't done when it mattered most. And this time, he didn't want to be an absent father, but Maya is trying so hard to make him one.

He felt like a second chance wasn’t a hard pass since they were single.

But everything wasn't right.