Chapter 857: Premature Delivery

The three cars ahead were severely damaged by the violent collision. Hannah wasn't sure if the occupants were unharmed. Approaching cautiously, she hesitated to check on them, unable to bring herself closer. She stood numbly amidst the growing crowd gathering around the accident. Speculation about the victims’ survival filled the air.

"Miss, you're bleeding…"

"Miss, your water broke…"

"Miss, shall we take you to the hospital…"

Voices reached her, but she remained unresponsive, feeling no pain. After what felt like an eternity, the wail of police and ambulance sirens cut through the chaos.

Hannah was rushed to an ambulance, her gaze fixed on the wreckage. She still hadn't seen Manuel emerge from the car.

At the hospital, she was taken straight to the operating room. Miguel, Michelle, and Lorie suffered various concussions from the impact and were admitted for observation. Manuel’s whereabouts remained unknown. Looking up at the cold operating room ceiling, Hannah underwent an emergency cesarean section at only 34 weeks. The baby’s life was at risk, and she could no longer feel its presence within her. Tears streamed down her face.

A long time he had been by her side. Would their journey truly end here?

The doctor’s anxious voice cut through her despair: "The baby is premature with severe hypoxia and cardiopulmonary insufficiency; send him to the incubator immediately." There was no cry, only the swift removal of her newborn.

Overwhelmed by guilt, Hannah felt her selfishness had endangered her baby, Manuel, and her family. Her actions had exacted a terrible price from those she cherished most.

Hours later, Hannah emerged from surgery to find her parents waiting. Lorie was absent due to her injuries, her father, also injured, stood anxiously by the door. Susan was there, weeping.

"Are you okay, Hannah?" Susan asked, her voice laced with worry.

"Are you okay, Hannah? Tell me, are you alright?" Miguel added.

Tears flowed uncontrollably. How could she ever atone for her actions? How much did she truly owe them? She had caused this suffering, yet they still cared for her. Their kindness felt undeserved.

"Don't cry, Hannah. You just gave birth to the baby, you cannot cry," Susan soothed, understanding her friend's ordeal.

The nurses brought out Hannah’s baby, its body completely blue. Susan and Miguel gasped, their tears mirroring Hannah’s. The thought of losing the baby sent a fresh wave of fear through them.

Susan also worried about Manuel. She'd been in his car, trying to reach the hospital together. He'd made her get out, despite her pleas, his indifference causing her deep pain. She felt utterly worthless to him; he hadn’t grasped the urgency of her situation. She was left behind as he sped off.

Enduring immense heartache, she took a taxi, desperately pursuing him. A horrific crash shattered the silence. Instinct told her it was Manuel, possibly Hannah too.

Upon arriving, she saw Hannah already in an ambulance. From a distance, she stared at the twisted metal, dreading the moment she would see Manuel, injured and rescued from the wreckage. She couldn’t bear to imagine his battered face.

Now, she understood his actions. Manuel hadn't taken her because he’d risked his life to save Hannah.

She joined Manuel in the ambulance, his body still and his eyes closed. Fearful of disturbing him, she remained silent, paralyzed by the terror of his silence, the fear of his potential loss mirroring her father’s fate.

At the hospital, she encountered an injured Miguel, but all her attention remained fixed on Hannah, who was immediately rushed into surgery for an emergency c-section. She and Miguel waited anxiously outside.

Hannah emerged, pale and fragile. The sight pained Susan deeply, remembering Hannah's unwavering protectiveness.

"I'm so sorry, Susan," Hannah whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Tears flowed freely. Susan shook her head, Hannah's survival was enough. Her sorrow was mainly for Manuel, fearing the worst. Yet, she refused to place blame.

"Manuel…" Hannah's voice cracked, the name a weight of immeasurable regret.

Had she known the cost, she never would have let him risk his life for her.