Chapter 452
“Mrs. Russell,” she murmured softly, “you have to fight for your baby girl, and for yourself.”
Time dragged interminably amid the beeps and hushed voices of the medical team.
Eventually, a heavy dizziness enveloped Gracie, her sight dimming as weakness spread through her limbs—she had reached her physical threshold.
“Doctor, we need to stop drawing blood from her,” a nurse warned.
“But the replacement units haven’t arrived yet,” the doctor replied gravely.
Summoning her fading strength, Gracie forced out, “Keep going… just a bit longer.”
“You’re certain? Continuing could endanger you as well,” the obstetrician pressed.
She clenched her jaw against the fog. “I can manage.”
Thirty minutes later, Gracie was finally wheeled out, pale and drained.
Brayden was at her side in an instant, cradling her frigid hand while anguish etched his features. A doctor followed shortly, peeling off his mask.
The three Russell men crowded around him expectantly.
“Mother and baby are stable,” he reported with visible relief. “However, Ms. Sullivan has given a significant amount and will require substantial recovery time.”
The words seemed to jolt the Russells from their trance. Guilt washed over their faces as they turned toward Gracie.
Quentin approached hesitantly. “Brayden, we will never forget Gracie’s extraordinary generosity. Name anything—she has only to ask, even if it demands everything I have.”
Brayden’s head snapped up, his stare turning icy. “I’m beginning to regret that my wife ever crossed paths with your family.”
His tone sharpened with barely contained fury. “Since becoming entangled with you all, Gracie has stepped in to help countless times. In return, Gifford repaid her kindness with betrayal over another woman. And today, my wife nearly sacrificed her own life rescuing yours.”
Quentin opened his mouth, then closed it, silenced by the undeniable truth.
Brayden guided Gracie’s gurney himself toward the private recovery suite farther down the hall.
Valeria cast a final, conflicted glance at the stricken men. “Brayden spoke out of deep worry just now… but perhaps it’s wisest if our two families keep some distance going forward.”
She turned and hurried after her son.
Quentin swayed unsteadily, steadied by Yousef and Gary. A bitter, weary chuckle escaped him. “We’ve made an utter disaster of everything… and we owe far more to Gracie than we can ever repay.”
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