KISS'S POV
"Mrs. Goodwill… breathe slowly."
"I am breathing," I whispered, my fingers gripping the sheets. "I just need to see them."
The nurse smiled gently.
"You're stronger than you think."
"I had to be," I replied.
The wheelchair rolled softly down the corridor. The hospital smelled like antiseptic and fear—fear I thought I'd left behind.
"Right here," the nurse said, stopping.
Glass.
Incubators.
Two tiny figures wrapped in warmth.
My breath caught.
"Oh…"
My voice broke completely.
"That's them," the nurse said quietly. "Your babies."
I pressed my palm against the glass.
"My babies," I whispered.
"I'm here… Mommy's here."
Tears slid down my cheeks uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry I scared you," I whispered.
"I promise… no one will ever hurt you again."
Behind me—
A soft click.
The door closing.
"Kiss."
The world stopped.
That voice.
No.
I turned slowly.
The room tilted.
"…Mom?"
She stood there like a ghost from a life I buried.
Elegant. Poised. Untouched by time.
Her eyes—those same eyes I saw every time I looked in the mirror.
"Yes," she said softly.
"It's me."
I stared at her, my knees shaking.
"No," I whispered. "You're dead."
She took a step forward.
"I couldn't die," she replied calmly. "Not while you were alive."
My chest heaved.
"Say it again," I whispered.
"Say my name."
"Kiss."
That was all it took.
I sobbed.
I turned fully, ignoring the pain screaming in my body, and wrapped my arms around her.
"You're alive," I cried.
"You're really alive."
She held me—tight, controlled.
"I never stopped watching you," she said.
I pulled back sharply.
"Then why weren't you there?" I demanded.
"When I needed you?"
Her jaw tightened.
"I couldn't be."
"That's not an answer!" my voice cracked.
"I cried for you!"
Silence.
Then she said quietly,
"If I had come back then, you wouldn't be alive now."
I shook my head.
"You don't get to decide that."
She looked past me—to the nursery.
"They're beautiful," she murmured.
I followed her gaze instinctively.
"My children," I said firmly. "My family."
Her eyes darkened.
"You're not safe here."
I frowned.
"What does that mean?"
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
"You were attacked because of blood."
My heart thudded painfully.
"I know," I whispered. "But my husband—"
"Your husband's family started a war in Switzerland," she interrupted coldly.
I stared at her.
"…What?"
Her gaze sharpened.
"They came for us."
My stomach dropped.
"For us?"
"For you," she corrected.
"And for them."
I shook my head slowly.
"No… Adrian would never—"
"Men like him don't ask permission," she said flatly.
Anger flared inside me.
"You don't get to talk about my husband like that."
She studied me.
"You love him."
"Yes," I said without hesitation.
"I love him."
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Then you'll come with me."
I laughed weakly.
"What?"
"We're leaving," she said.
"Now."
"Mom," I whispered, "you're not making sense."
"You're coming to Switzerland."
"No," I said immediately.
Her eyes hardened.
"You don't have a choice."
"Yes, I do," I snapped.
"I have a family."
She scoffed quietly.
"You think they can protect you?"
"I know they can," I said.
"And I won't abandon my children."
She glanced at the incubators.
"They'll come too."
"No," I said sharply.
"You don't get to decide that."
Silence fell between us.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
"Kiss," she said slowly, "you are my daughter."
"And I am his wife," I replied.
"And their mother."
Her eyes softened for half a second.
"You leave me no option," she whispered.
My heart skipped.
"What option?" I asked carefully.
She reached into her coat.
"Mom?" my voice trembled.
"What are you doing?"
She pulled out a white handkerchief.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Sleep," she said calmly.
Realization crashed into me.
"No," I whispered.
"No… you wouldn't."
She stepped closer.
"Don't fight it."
I pushed myself back weakly.
"Adrian!" I cried. "Help me!"
She covered my nose and mouth.
"Mom, please!" I sobbed.
"I just found you!"
Her voice remained steady.
"I'm saving you."
My vision blurred.
"I love him," I whispered desperately.
"Please…"
Darkness swallowed me.
ELIZABETH'S POV
"She's unconscious," my man reported.
"Good," I replied.
I looked down at my daughter.
"You always were stubborn," I murmured.
I turned sharply.
"Move her. Now."
ADRIAN'S POV
"Sign here."
I signed without looking.
"Can I see my wife now?" I demanded.
"Yes," the doctor nodded. "She's with the twins."
I walked fast.
"Kiss?" I called softly.
No answer.
I stepped inside.
Empty.
My heart slammed painfully.
"Nurse," I snapped. "Where is my wife?"
"She was just here," the nurse said nervously.
My blood turned cold.
"Where is she?"
No one answered.
Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.