Chapter 380

A loud cry echoed through the room. I felt my stomach loosen. Tears welled in my eyes as I looked at the tiny baby the midwife was holding up by the feet. After that first cry, the nurse laid the baby flat and carried it off to be cleaned. I opened my mouth to speak, but another wave of pain hit me. I’d almost forgotten there was another one. The second baby came even faster than the first, almost in the blink of an eye. It was carried off to be cleaned too. I was completely drained, slumped where I lay while the midwife worked. Something felt off though, as if something was missing. I pushed myself up slightly and turned my head to see. Then I realised what it was. When the babies had been born, Ashton hadn’t said a word. I saw him standing there like he was in a daze, not moving at all. ‘Ash.’ My voice was so weak it was barely a whisper. His whole body jolted, and his eyes cleared. He crouched at my side and took my hand without speaking. I didn’t have the energy to talk. The delive