Gabriel maneuvered through back streets, avoiding the reporters who'd started following their car. In the back seat, Piper gripped Noah's hand through another contraction.
"Five minutes apart now," Noah said, checking his watch. "We need to get there fast."
"Already on it." Gabriel took a sharp turn down an alley. "The hospital's emergency entrance is clear. I had Sarah call ahead."
Piper tried to focus on breathing, but her phone kept lighting up with crisis alerts. Another contraction hit, stronger than before.
"The documents," she gasped. "I need to call Marcus-"
"No." Both men spoke at once. Noah took her phone. "The company can wait. Right now, you and the baby are what matter."
The hospital's private entrance came into view. Dr. Chen, Piper's obstetrician, waited with a team and wheelchair.
"Thirty-four weeks," she told the doctor as they rushed inside. "The Singapore documents just leaked-"
"Save your strength," Dr. Chen cut in. "Your blood pressure's too high. We need to focus on a safe delivery."
They wheeled her into a delivery suite. Gabriel and Noah followed, all business rivalries forgotten in the crisis.
"Someone needs to get Lily," Piper said between contractions. "She'll be scared-"
"Already handled." Gabriel showed her a text. "Jasper's with her. They're safe at the lake house."
Another contraction ripped through her. Piper grabbed the bed rails, her knuckles white.
"The baby's heart rate is elevated," a nurse announced. "We need to get her stabilized."
Noah pressed a cold cloth to her forehead while Gabriel held her hand. The familiar comfort of both men steadied her.
"Remember the breathing we practiced," Noah said softly. "Just like that."
Piper tried to focus, but images of headlines kept flashing through her mind. Years of work, her company's reputation, all potentially destroyed by Jasper's mistakes.
"Stop thinking about work," Gabriel said, reading her expression. "Marcus has it handled. Trust your team."
"The Singapore deal-" She broke off as pain shot through her. "Those documents will show-"
"Nothing they can prove," Gabriel assured her. "We've got the best lawyers working on it. Your job right now is bringing this baby into the world."
Dr. Chen checked her progress. "You're eight centimeters. Won't be long now."
Piper squeezed Gabriel's hand harder. "Stay?"
"We're not going anywhere," Noah answered for both of them. Their eyes met over her head - a moment of perfect understanding.
The next hour passed in a blur of pain and focused breathing. Both men stayed close, offering quiet support and strength.
"It's time," Dr. Chen finally announced. "On the next contraction, push."
Piper bore down, drawing on reserves she didn't know she had. Gabriel supported her back while Noah counted breaths with her.
"Head's crowning," the doctor said. "One more big push."
With a final surge of effort, Piper pushed. A cry filled the room - strong and healthy despite the early arrival.
"It's a boy," Dr. Chen announced, placing the baby on Piper's chest.
For one perfect moment, nothing else mattered. Not the scandal, not the leaked documents, not the reporters waiting outside. Just her son's tiny face and the steady beat of his heart against hers.
Then the room started spinning.
"Blood pressure's dropping," a nurse called out.
"Piper?" Gabriel's voice seemed far away.
The baby was lifted from her chest. She tried to reach for him, but her arms felt like lead.
"She's hemorrhaging," Dr. Chen barked. "Get them out of here. Now!"
"No," Piper tried to say, but darkness crept in at the edges of her vision.
The last thing she saw was Noah and Gabriel being ushered out, their faces tight with worry. Then everything went black.
She woke to beeping monitors and hushed voices. Every part of her body ached.
"The baby?" she whispered.
"He's perfect." Noah appeared beside her. "Five pounds, four ounces. They're monitoring him in the NICU, but his lungs are strong."
"You gave us quite a scare," Gabriel added from her other side. "They had to give you two units of blood."
Piper tried to sit up, but dizziness forced her back down.
"Easy," Noah cautioned. "Doctor's orders - you're not moving from this bed for at least forty-eight hours."
Her phone lit up on the bedside table. More news alerts.
"Marcus has been calling," Gabriel said quietly. "The Singapore situation... It's getting complicated. The board wants an emergency meeting."
Piper reached for the phone, but her hand shook too badly to grip it.
"You need to rest," Noah insisted.
"I need to save my company." She tried again to sit up. The room spun violently.
A nurse rushed in as monitors started beeping. "Blood pressure spiking again. Everyone out."
"No," Piper protested. "The board meeting-"
"Can wait," Gabriel said firmly.
But they all knew it couldn't. Not with everything unraveling. Not with her trapped in this hospital bed, too weak to even hold her phone.
Through the window, Piper caught a glimpse of reporters gathering outside the hospital. The vultures had found her.
And she was in no condition to fight back.
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