"Hey, what's wrong with you? Planning to stay here forever?" Gilbert stood by the coffee table, a glass of warm water in hand, glancing over at the woman lying motionless on the couch. His voice held a trace of mockery.
But Claire didn't move. Her hands were clutched tightly over her abdomen.
"Hey, what's going on with you?" he asked again, frowning as he stepped closer. He thought he heard a faint groan of pain.
Claire was barely conscious. The stabbing pain in her stomach had drained the strength from her body, and her vision had gone blurry.
Gilbert waited a beat longer, then bent down. Her face was as pale as paper, twisted in pain.
His expression shifted. For a second, panic flickered in his eyes.
It was just a kiss, he told himself. Sure, maybe it had gone a little too far but it couldn't have caused this, right?
"Claire, wake up." He lightly patted her cheek.
"Mom... it hurts..." she murmured, her voice slurred and distant.
