In the heart of New York City, Sadira Kingston is the proud owner and head baker of "Sweets," a charming bakery renowned for its delectable treats and warm atmosphere. Her life takes an unexpected turn when Davis Maclean, a brooding lawyer with a re...
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Sadira shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her legs sore from sitting for hours in the waiting room. The sterile hospital air felt heavy as the fluorescent lights hummed overhead, adding to the anxiety gnawing at her. The doctor had said Brayden would be okay, but she couldn't relax until she saw him herself.
Her hand instinctively went to her belly, feeling the babies moving softly now, almost as if they were restless, picking up on her nerves. Davis sat beside her, his arm draped protectively around her shoulders, occasionally rubbing circles on her back to soothe her. But Sadira's mind was still racing.
"I need to check on him," she whispered, standing up slowly, her body heavy with the weight of everything that had happened.
Davis looked up at her, concern etched into his face. "You sure you're okay to walk? You've been up and down all night."
She gave him a small nod, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I just need to see him."
Davis sighed, standing up alongside her to help steady her as they walked down the hallway toward Brayden's room. The quiet hospital corridors echoed with their footsteps, and the soft beeping of heart monitors filled the air as they passed other patient rooms.
When they reached Brayden's door, Sadira took a deep breath before slowly pushing it open. The room was dimly lit, and Brayden lay in the bed, looking small and fragile compared to his usual lively self. His skin was pale, his face marred by cuts and bruises, but his breathing was steady. An IV was hooked up to his arm, pumping fluids and nutrients into his system.
Sadira felt a tightness in her chest as she approached him, her heart sinking. Seeing him like this made everything feel too real-like the calm before a storm. She gently pulled a chair over to the side of his bed and sat down, placing her hand softly on his arm.
"Brayden," she said quietly, her voice barely a whisper. "Can you hear me?"
His eyes fluttered open, groggy and weak. He blinked a few times before focusing on her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Sadira... you're here."
She smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "Of course, I'm here. You scared the hell out of me."
Brayden chuckled softly, though it came out as more of a wheeze. "Yeah, I scared myself too."
Sadira shook her head, trying to keep her emotions in check. "What the hell happened, Brayden? Who did this to you?"
His smile faded, and a shadow passed over his face. He turned his head to look away, staring up at the ceiling. "I don't know. I wish I did. Everything happened so fast. One minute Tariq and I were chilling in our dorm, and the next... someone just came for us."
Sadira frowned, her fingers gripping the edge of the bed tightly. "Did you see their faces? Did they say anything?"
Brayden's jaw clenched, and he shook his head. "No... they came out of nowhere. They were masked up. But it felt personal, you know? Like they were targeting us for a reason."
