KATE
I clenched Luca’s hand tightly, using his grip as an anchor each time an intense contraction rammed through me and I had to push.
His palm was warm, steady, and unwavering—just like his gaze, locked on mine with a quiet intensity as he softly encouraged me to give it my all for the sake of our child. I focused on his encouragement, letting it ground me.
“Take a deep breath, Katherina,” Lucille’s instructions came through to me loudly and steadily, “We’re getting close. You’re doing brilliantly. Just a few more pushes and you’ll be done.”
I could barely see her over the sweat dripping down my face, making my vision cloud with exhaustion and pain. But I nodded, barely able to manage that simple movement.
Every muscle in my body seemed to be screaming, on the verge of breaking.
Ser
