Somniphobia

Chapter 91. Wake up call

Caleb POV
The sound of that machine flatlining didn't just echo in the room—it ripped straight through me.

"Aria!" My voice came out broken, my hands instantly on her face, tapping her cheek gently but urgently. "No, no, no—baby, wake up. Princess, look at me. You did so good, you hear me? You don't get to leave me after that—"

"Sir, step back—" a nurse rushed in.

"Don't touch her!" I snapped, my voice turning sharp, dangerous, desperate. My grip tightened around her hand like I could anchor her here just by holding on hard enough. "Do something!"

"We're losing her blood pressure—get fluids, now!"

Everything blurred. Voices overlapped, machines screamed, people moved too fast—but none of it mattered.

Only her.

Her hand in mine... getting colder.

"Aria..." My forehead dropped to hers, my voice lowering, cracking apart. "You promised me. You promised me you weren't going anywhere, remember? You don't get to break that. Not now. Not when our son is here—"

"Clear!"

My head snapped up. "What—"

"Sir, move!"

I didn't even realize they'd pulled me back until my back hit the wall. My chest heaved as I watched them work on her, my heart pounding so violently I thought I might pass out.

"Clear!"

Her body jerked.

I flinched like I felt it.

"Come on... come on..." I muttered under my breath, dragging a hand through my soaked hair. "Fight, baby. Fight for me."

Seconds felt like hours.

Then—

A beep.

Another.

Steady.

My breath caught.

"We've got a pulse," someone said quickly.

I didn't think—I moved.

I was back at her side in a second, grabbing her hand again, bringing it to my lips like I needed to feel her there. "Yeah... yeah, that's my girl," I whispered hoarsely. "I knew you weren't leaving me. You're too stubborn for that, princess..."

She didn't wake up.

Not yet.

But she was here.

And that was enough to keep me breathing.

The next morning.... 5:45 a.m

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Aria POV
Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep...

The steady sound filled the room as I slowly gained consciousness. I felt dizzy and confused, but all I cared about was where I was... and where Caleb was.

"D-Da—" I tried to speak, but my voice barely came out. I tried to move, but it felt impossible, like my body wouldn't listen.

Panic rose in my chest, tears blurring my vision as I forced myself to look around. Then I saw him—Caleb—slumped in a chair in the corner, fast asleep.