Chapter 1226:
The medical team assigned to handle Melany’s room transfer arrived shortly, gently helping her from her bed into a wheelchair and tucking a warm blanket around her. The senior obstetrician — whose face the neighboring family had previously noticed on the hospital’s recognition board — approached Rylie with professional respect. As the hospital’s chief specialist in obstetrics, he was ordinarily accessible only through high-level appointments.
Just before being wheeled away, Melany turned to the doctor attending the other pregnant woman and said softly, “I’ll pay for her pain relief injection. I’m expecting as well, and I truly can’t bear watching her suffer like that.”
In many cases, medical treatment didn’t require family consent as long as payment could be arranged. Previously, the expectant mother had no personal funds and had relied entirely on her husband’s household, which had prevented her from making independent decisions. With Melany covering the cost, the doctor was able to proceed. The woman signed the consent form immediately and shot a furious glare at her husband. “This isn’t over between us.”
Rylie gave a slight shake of her head. Childbirth had a way of revealing a man’s true character. Unfortunately, Deandre remained completely unaware of the child’s existence.
Surrounded by the hospital’s most experienced obstetrician and Rylie’s highly trained medical team, Melany felt her anxiety begin to ease. Drawing a steady breath, she looked directly into Rylie’s eyes with quiet determination. “If complications arise, prioritize my safety first — and then please do everything possible to protect the baby.”
𝗗𝗼𝗐n𝘭oa𝗱а𝗯𝗹e р𝖣𝘍𝗌 on 𝘨а𝗅nov𝖾l𝘀.c𝗼m
Though she cared deeply for the unborn child, the thought of her mother — who had patiently waited years for her to return after completing her studies — carried even greater weight in her heart. Having already endured the loss of her father, she could not bear the thought of her mother losing her as well.
Rylie met her gaze with calm, quiet confidence. “Relax. Everything will turn out fine for both of you.”
The baby’s positioning made delivery complicated, and the placenta was unusually fused to the uterine wall, requiring precise manual separation to prevent severe hemorrhaging. Under less experienced hands, the procedure could easily have become life-threatening. Fortunately, Rylie’s elite team managed the operation flawlessly, ensuring a safe delivery.
“It’s a baby girl.”
Rylie carefully lifted the newborn and presented her to an exhausted Melany, gently brushing the baby’s tiny cheek with one finger. “She’s strong, healthy, and doing beautifully.”
For the first time in months, Melany felt a tremendous weight lift from her chest.
“Melany!”
Dottie appeared in the hospital room doorway, still holding her travel bag. The moment mother and daughter locked eyes, tears gathered in both of them instantly.
Melany froze in surprise and looked instinctively toward Rylie. Rylie smiled. “I figured this was the moment you needed family the most. I couldn’t think of anyone more reliable than your mother — and I imagined you must have missed her terribly.”
Tears spilled from Melany’s eyes at once. “Rylie… I don’t even know how to thank you for this.”
Rylie gently brushed them away. “No crying. I’m counting on you to come back soon and create even more brilliant designs for Sweetberry.”
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