The Love That Wasn't

Wren's POV

The tour bus hung precariously over the cliff's edge, smoke billowing from its engine. Inside, two pregnant women were trapped.

"Captain Walker, both pregnant women are in critical condition. Who do we save first?"

I had been pierced by a steel rod through my abdomen, my water had broken, and I was screaming desperately at my husband:

"Ryan Walker! My water broke! The baby's dying!"

On the other side, his first love Stella clutched her chest, her face deathly pale:

"Ryan, I'm having a heart attack! Save me!"

The man in the firefighter uniform charged toward Stella's side without hesitation.

"Captain, your wife's position is easier to reach!" team member Mike shouted.

"SHUT UP! Follow orders!"

He rushed to Stella without looking back, leaving behind one sentence:

"She won't die. I'm her husband, I take full responsibility."

Ryan's words cut through me like a blade. I watched his resolute figure disappear, tears blurring my vision. For this man, I had given up everything...

But now I knew I meant NOTHING to him.

CRACK—

The vehicle shook violently and began its second plummet!

The excruciating pain from the steel rod piercing my abdomen nearly knocked me unconscious. Amniotic fluid mixed with blood pooled beneath me.

"NO! Ahhh—"

After the violent impact, I fell into darkness.

Through the flames, someone was desperately calling my name:

"Wren! Wake up! Don't sleep!"

I struggled to open my eyes. Mike and several team members were crawling into the car that could fall at any moment, risking their lives.

"You're crazy... get out of here..." I whispered weakly.

"We won't abandon you!" Mike swung his axe, cutting through the steel rod. "Jackson, help!"

"The captain's lost his DAMN mind!"

"Stop talking and save her!"

The agony made me moan, but seeing these people fighting to save me gave me hope.

I couldn't die.

I gritted my teeth and cooperated with them until they finally got me out.

On the stretcher, I had lost too much blood and was pale as death.

"Quick! Get her oxygen!" the paramedics worked frantically.

Just as the oxygen mask covered my face and I could breathe a little, Ryan suddenly rushed over:

"She needs the oxygen more for her heart! Put it on her!"

He tore off my mask without hesitation and personally placed it on Stella.

"Captain, your wife is also in critical condition..."

"That's an ORDER!"

I immediately struggled to breathe, my chest feeling like it would explode. Blood oxygen monitor, ECG, defibrillator... one by one, everything was transferred to Stella.

The baby inside me was kicking frantically, the pain nearly making me pass out.

While Ryan gently held Stella's hand: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

That look in his eyes – he had never given me that look.

On the way to the emergency room, my consciousness began to fade.

Mike pulled out his phone, urgently saying: "Captain Walker! Your wife is dying, come quickly!"

Beep beep beep...

He hung up.

Mike dialed again.

"I'm not a doctor, what can I do? Just have the doctors operate directly!" Ryan's impatient voice came through.

He hung up again.

I lay on the hospital bed, every bump tearing at my wounds like a blade, tears flowing uncontrollably.

Several accompanying team members were furious:

"The captain's lost it! He won't even care for his own wife and child!"

"Is he even a man?"

Mike gripped my ice-cold hand: "Wren, don't be afraid, we're all here!"

"We'll donate blood!"

"That bastard won't care, but we will!"

Looking at these people, I wanted to laugh but cried instead.

Everyone except my husband was trying to save me.

Bag after bag of blood was transfused, but the pain grew more intense and my strength was fading.

"Excessive blood loss! Blood pressure dropping! Fetal distress!"

"Unstable heart rate! Prep the OR!"

Beep beep beep—

The monitors screamed alarms.

"The patient's in shock! NOW!"

The OR doors opened, blinding white light.

I used my last bit of strength to make a vow:

If I survive this...

I will NEVER love Ryan Walker again.