"Tristan! It hurts!" Isabel screamed while her voice was filled with agony.
"I'm here, my love. I'm right here," Tristan replied with a voice steady yet laced with worry. He held her hand tightly as his thumb brushed soothingly over her knuckles. "Breathe, just like the midwife said."
"I can't, Tristan, I can't!" Isabel cried out, her grip on his hand tightening as another contraction wracked her body.
Teressa who was bustling about the room, anxiously called out, "Tristan, get a basin of water! Quickly, now!"
Tristan immediately nodded with a pounding heart, and rushed obediently to comply. He filled the basin and brought it to Teressa, who was already wiping Isabel's forehead with a damp cloth.
"Just breathe, dear," Teressa said, her voice gentle yet firm. "You’re doing wonderfully.
