The baby, born prematurely, was underweight and had underdeveloped lungs. He was immediately placed in the neonatal intensive care unit, inside a temperature-controlled incubator. His tiny body was covered in monitoring wires— So fragile it made Emma's heart ache.
Gu Liang, drained from labor and emotional upheaval, had passed out in the delivery room. Emma stayed by his side, holding his cold hand, Until he was safely transferred to a VIP recovery room. Only then, after repeated urging from the nurses, Did she drag her exhausted body to the NICU.
Through the thick glass, She saw him— Her son.
So small. Red, wrinkled, like a delicate little creature. But his chest rose and fell with each breath, And the numbers on the monitor proved his will to live.
He was hers. Theirs.
A wave of emotion— Tenderness, responsibility, and lingering fear— Gripped her heart.
She pressed her forehead to the glass, Staring at the tiny life inside. Tears fell again.
Not from panic. But from joy, gratitude— And a vow.
She swore to protect this child. To protect the one who had carried him through pain and sacrifice.
Gu Liang woke the next morning. Sunlight streamed through the window, fresh after the storm.
The first thing he saw— Was Emma, asleep at his bedside, Still holding his hand.
She looked exhausted. Dark circles under her eyes, Hair messy, Stubble on her chin, Still wearing yesterday's blood- and sweat-stained clothes.
But her sleeping face was peaceful. Brows relaxed. Lips curved in a faint, contented smile.
Gu Liang's gaze fell to their joined hands. Her warmth pulled him back from the nightmare of labor.
He remembered her voice in the delivery room— Hoarse but steady. Her grip, unwavering. Her scent—strong, grounding.
The last shard of ice in his heart Melted.
He moved his fingers.
Emma woke instantly. She looked up, Met his eyes— And joy flooded hers.
"You're awake!" Her voice was raspy, But full of life.
"How do you feel? Are you in pain? Do you need the doctor?"
A barrage of questions, Unfiltered concern.
Gu Liang shook his head, Still weak.
"The baby…"
"He's doing great!" Emma beamed. Her smile was radiant— Bright and unburdened.
"He's in the incubator, but the doctor says his vitals are stable. He's a tough little guy! I just saw him—he's sleeping, tiny, but strong!"
She spoke with excitement, Gesturing like a child with a beloved gift.
Gu Liang listened, Watched her face— So full of pure parental joy.
And he realized— Her eyes held no trace of the old irritation, coldness, or calculation.
Only care. Only affection.
Affection.
The word startled him.
"I want to see him," he whispered.
"Of course! Let me help you."
Emma stood, Gently supported him, Helped him sit, Put on his slippers— Every movement tender, reverent.
At the NICU, Gu Liang stood beside her, Looking through the glass at the sleeping infant.
His eyes welled up.
That was his child. The one he carried with his own body.
Emma stood close, One hand on his waist, The other pointing at the baby, Softly explaining every detail— What the monitors meant, How much weight he'd gained.
Her cedar scent wrapped around him, Warm and soothing. His white tea scent responded— No longer cold, But calm, content.
They stood together, Like any parents, Watching their child— The product of a love that began in pain, But now felt… real.
The past faded. Resentment shrank.
In the face of life, Hatred felt small.
Emma turned to him, Saw the softness in his eyes, The light reflected from their child.
A fullness bloomed in her chest.
She knew— Her life had changed.
She was no longer the thrill-chasing, responsibility-fearing Emma.
She was this Omega's Alpha. This baby's mother.
Protecting them Was now her purpose. Her joy.
She gently took Gu Liang's hand.
He flinched— But didn't pull away. Instead, he squeezed back.
A silent understanding passed between them.
New life had arrived. Not just in the incubator— But between them.
A bond reborn. A soul redeemed.
And the promise to protect—
Had truly begun.