The woman he had once loved more than life itself. The one who held his hand for seven years, swearing she would always be by his side, and then disappeared without explanation. Now she lay there, sweaty, her face twisted in pain, clutching her phone tightly. Their eyes met.

— You?.. — she whispered with difficulty. — You’re my doctor?

The man gritted his teeth, nodded, and without a word, rolled the bed toward the operating room.

The labor was difficult. Blood pressure dropped, the baby’s heart rate slowed. He gave instructions, led the team, remained calm, even though inside he felt torn apart.