Chapter 28: Too Soon

Bilal didn't think—he reacted.

He scooped her up in his arms and placed her gently on the bed.

"Is something wrong with the baby?" Carmella tried to sit up, but a sharp pain gripped her, she gasped, and she fell back onto the bed, her face twisting in pain.

Bilal's normally calm face was stitched in concern. Although she couldn't see it, his hands trembled as he knelt on the floor beside her bed and pushed up the knee-length gown. He took in the way her belly ballooned out, stretched impossibly tight. Stretch marks marred her beautiful skin, and blood streamed out of her, matting the dark curls of her pubis.

This isn't normal, he thought.

Carmella tensed and cried out in pain. She gripped the bed sheets, unmistakable terror in her eyes.