Ayesha's weak voice echoed in the ICU.
"Save… my baby…"
Zayn froze.
"No," he whispered.
"No… you come first."
The doctor looked at him seriously.
"She has lost too much blood," he said.
"If we focus on the baby, she may not survive."
Zayn's heart shattered.
Ryan clenched his fists.
"Ayesha," he said softly,
"think about yourself."
She slowly turned her head.
Tears slid down her temples.
"I already lost everything once," she whispered.
"I won't lose my child too."
Zayn dropped to his knees beside her bed.
"I was stupid," he cried.
"I trusted lies. I pushed you away."
"I punished you for my past."
Her eyes softened.
"Why… didn't you tell me?" she asked.
He swallowed.
"Because I was afraid," he admitted.
"Afraid you'd leave if you knew I loved you first."
Silence filled the room.
"I loved you," he continued,
"before I even knew your name."
"Three years ago… when you prayed for me every week."
Ayesha's eyes widened.
"You… remembered?"
"Yes," he said.
"Every smile. Every tear."
"I searched for you for years."
"But when I found you…"
"I hurt you."
Ryan looked away.
Pain in his eyes.
Zayn held her hand.
"If one life must be chosen," he said firmly,
"save her."
"Not the baby."
Ayesha shook her head weakly.
"No…"
"I won't live without you," Zayn whispered.
"Let me protect you… this once."
The doctor took a deep breath.
"Very well," he said.
"We'll save the mother."
Hours Later…
The surgery ended.
Zayn and Ryan waited in silence.
Finally—
The doctor came out.
"It was successful," he said.
"She's stable."
Relief crashed over them.
"And the baby?" Zayn asked quietly.
The doctor hesitated.
Then smiled.
"By a miracle…"
"The baby survived too."
Both men froze.
Then—
Tears fell.
That night…
Lina stood outside the hospital.
Watching through the glass.
Her eyes full of hatred.
And whispered—
"If she lives…"
"Then I'll make her die myself.