Aria woke to a sharp pain shooting through her lower abdomen.
It was early. Still dark. The digital clock beside her read 4:23 a.m.
Her hand instinctively reached for her stomach, and her heart dropped when she realized something was… off.
The pain wasn't constant.
It came in waves.
And it wasn't normal.
She swung her legs off the bed and stood slowly. A cold sweat broke across her forehead. Then a sudden, sharper pain shot through her side, and she gasped.
"Damien," she whispered, staggering slightly.
But the room was silent.
"Damien!" she cried louder this time.
Within seconds, he rushed in from the adjoining study, his shirt half-buttoned and eyes wide with alarm.
"What's wrong?" he asked, rushing to her side.
"I don't know. It hurts. My stomach something's not right."
He didn't waste time. "We're going to the hospital. Now."
Thirty minutes later, they were at a private emergency wing.
Aria lay on the hospital bed, hooked to monitors. Her eyes were glassy, but she kept asking the same question.
"Is the baby okay?"
The doctor Dr. Lina Harris, a trusted specialist offered a tight smile.
"We're monitoring closely, Mrs. Voss. It looks like stress-triggered contractions. Early signs. You're not in labor, but your body is under pressure."
Aria turned to Damien. "I told you… this all started after the scandal broke."
Dr. Harris nodded. "Emotional shock, high cortisol levels it can affect the baby's development in the second trimester. We need to reduce stress immediately."
Damien's fists clenched. "Do whatever it takes."
"We'll keep her for observation tonight," Dr. Harris added. "And I recommend temporary bed rest. No business drama. No surprises."
Hours later, the room was dim, and Aria lay silent, staring at the ceiling.
Damien sat beside her, eyes fixed on her face.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
Her head turned. "Why?"
"Because I brought danger to your door. To our door. I should've ended this with Kieran years ago."
She gave him a weak smile. "You didn't know I'd show up with a contract and a plan to ruin you."
He chuckled bitterly. "And I didn't know I'd end up loving you."
Her eyes softened. "That word… again."
"I'm not going to stop saying it now."
She reached for his hand. "Me neither. But Damien… if something happens to this baby…"
"It won't," he said firmly. "I'll move heaven and earth to protect both of you."
Meanwhile, back at Voss Manor, Marcus searched Aria's room again this time with the forensic tech team.
One of the guards approached him, holding up a strange object.
"What's this?"
Marcus took it—an innocuous air freshener. But it wasn't just that.
It had a small blinking light hidden behind the vent panel.
A tracker.
His blood ran cold.
"They bugged her room," he muttered. "They knew where she was every second."
The guard's voice lowered. "Do you think it's Maddox?"
"I think… someone inside is still feeding him information."
Back at the hospital, Aria was finally asleep.
Damien stood by the window, watching the sunrise.
His phone buzzed.
Marcus.
"What is it?" he answered quietly.
"We found a tracker. Hidden in her room."
Damien didn't speak.
"There's more," Marcus added. "It was recently activated. That means someone knew Aria was pregnant. Knew she was in distress. Knew she was rushed to the hospital."
Damien's voice dropped. "So he knows… even now."
"Yes, sir. He might try something again. We need to move her. Secure location. Full lockdown."
Damien turned and looked at Aria, pale and fragile beneath the covers.
"I want her safe," he said. "No media. No leaks. And find out who planted that device."
"Yes, sir."
Later that day, Aria awoke in a different room.
Still in the hospital but guarded. Quieter. Private security stationed outside.
Damien sat beside her, this time holding her hand gently.
She blinked. "Where are we?"
"I moved you. Just in case."
Her eyes narrowed. "In case of what?"
He hesitated, then said, "They bugged your room. That's how they knew so much. Kieran might still be watching."
Her heart dropped. "Oh God…"
Damien touched her face. "We're going to stop him. But right now, you have to rest. For the baby. For you. I can't lose either of you."
She nodded slowly, lips trembling. "Promise me, Damien. No matter what happens… you'll protect our child."
He kissed her forehead. "With my life."