The last months of the pregnancy had been a battle every single moment. A constant vigilance, a body growing heavy and painful, and a mind constantly on alert, strung tight as a bow. Marina had held firm, anchored in her decision not to flee anymore, sustained by cold anger and Paul's unwavering presence. But stress, that insidious toxin distilled by Léna from afar anonymous calls, threatening letters intercepted by their lawyer, a suspicious car caught on camera wore down even the strongest defenses.
Her water broke on a night with a howling wind, when she was only 28 weeks along. A sensation of warmth and absolute panic. Paul, who barely slept, was by her side in less than thirty seconds. His face, lit by the bedside lamp, first showed worry, then, understanding, terror.
The ambulance,
