The CEO’s redemption

Chapter Two

CAMILLE.

The mansion was steeped in a heavy silence, the kind that only came in the late hours of the night. I lay in bed, my body restless and my mind racing. Kian’s cold dismissal earlier had left my heart aching, but it wasn’t just the sting of his indifference that kept me awake.

A dull ache had taken root in my lower abdomen, growing more persistent with each passing minute. I turned onto my side, one hand resting on my belly in an attempt to soothe the discomfort. It didn’t help.

"Just stress," I murmured to myself, though my voice lacked conviction.

Minutes dragged into an eternity. The ache deepened, sharper now, gnawing at my resolve to rest. Frustrated and uncomfortable, I flung the covers off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. The cool marble floor sent a shiver through me, grounding me momentarily as I decided to go downstairs for some water.

The dimly lit kitchen was a sanctuary of sorts, a brief reprieve from the oppressive stillness of my room. I poured myself a glass of water, the sound of liquid cascading into the glass oddly soothing. Taking small sips, I leaned against the counter, her hand instinctively rubbing against her belly.

"Mrs. Calloway?"

I jumped, the glass slipping slightly in my grip as Hudgton,the butler, appeared in the doorway. His graying hair and impeccable posture gave him an air of calm authority despite his crumpled clothes, though his eyes reflected genuine concern.

"Are you all right?" he asked, stepping closer. "Do you need anything?"

"I’m fine," I said quickly, though the tremor in my voice betrayed me. I forced a small smile. "Just couldn’t sleep."

Hudgton studied me, his sharp eyes missing nothing. After a beat, he nodded. "Very well. But if you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to call for me."

"Thank you, Hudgton," I replied softly, grateful for his concern even as I tried to brush it off.

With a respectful nod, Hudgton left, leaving me alone once more. I finished my water and made my way back to my room, hoping that some rest might still be possible. But the moment I lay down, the ache turned into sharp pangs.

I shifted, clutching at my stomach, willing the pain to pass. It didn’t.

Minutes turned into an hour, the pain growing more intense with each passing moment. Finally, I sat up, resigned to the fact that sleep was out of reach. As I swung my legs off the bed, a sudden, searing pain shot through my abdomen.

I cried out, doubling over as the agony stole my breath. My hands instinctively cradled my belly, my fingers trembling. Panic set in as I felt a warm wetness spreading between my legs.

"No,no,no," I whispered, my voice breaking. I reached down and touched my nightgown. When I pulled my hand back, my fingers were stained with blood.

My heart sank, a mix of terror and disbelief flooding my senses. I scrambled for the bedside lamp, turning it on to confirm what I already knew. The sight of red pooling beneath me made my chest tighten with fear.

"Kian!" I screamed, my voice echoing through the room. "Kian, help!"

Another wave of pain tore through me, and I clutched at my stomach, tears streaming down my face. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, but my shaking hands knocked it to the floor.

The door burst open moments later, Hudgton rushing in, followed closely by a house guard. The butler’s face paled as he took in the scene before him—me hunched over, blood soaking through my nightgown, my face contorted in pain.

"Mrs. Calloway!" Hudgton exclaimed, hurrying to my side. "What’s happening? Are you—"

"I don’t know!" I sobbed, my voice panicked and trembling. "Something’s wrong. My baby—please, help me!"

Hudgton wasted no time. He turned to the guard. "Get the car ready. Now!"

The guard nodded and bolted out of the room. Hudgton knelt beside me, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to my panic.

"Mrs. Calloway, we’re going to the hospital," he said firmly. "Can you stand?"

"I... I think so," I whispered, though my knees buckled the moment I tried. Hudgton caught me, his grip steady and reassuring.

"Easy now," he said, guiding me carefully. "We’ll get you there."

With Hudgton supporting me, we made our way downstairs. Every step was agony, the pain worsening with each moment. By the time we reached the car, I was trembling, my breathing shallow and uneven.

The guard helped Hudgton ease me into the backseat, and the butler climbed into the passenger seat.

"Drive," Hudgton ordered.

The car lurched forward, speeding down the empty roads. I leaned back, clutching my belly, tears streaming down my face as I whimpered through the pain.

"It hurts," I gasped. "It hurts so much."

Hudgton turned in his seat, his expression grim but steady. "Just hold on, Mrs. Calloway. We’re almost there. You’re strong, and so is your baby."

I nodded weakly, though fear gripped my chest like a vice. I closed my eyes, focusing on each breath, each second that brought us closer to the hospital.

When we finally arrived, a team of medical staff was already waiting at the emergency entrance. They pulled open the car door and moved with practiced urgency to transfer me onto a stretcher.

"Mrs. Calloway, we’ve got you," one of the nurses said reassuringly as they began wheeling me inside. "Stay with us, okay? We’ll take care of you."

My hands shot out, grabbing Hudgton’s sleeve as they pushed me through the brightly lit corridors.

"Hudgton," I sobbed, my voice weak and trembling. "Call Kian. Please—tell him I’m here."

Hudgton placed his hand over mine, his expression softening. "I’ll call him right away. You just focus on you and the baby, Mrs. Calloway."

My grip loosened as another wave of pain tore through me, and the team whisked me through a set of double doors.

Little did I know that the moments after would irrevocably change my life in a way I would never come back from. But that was the shitty thing about life, wasn't it?

It didn't give warnings.