With a forceful toss, Mila flung her coat outside. The muffled sound of suppressed gunfire echoed once

more as the coat was hit.

Simultaneously, Mila sprinted swiftly, ascending the steps and finding refuge within the large columns.

Her breaths became strained, her heart raced, and her nerves stretched to their limit. Her stomach

clenched with pain, but home was just a few steps away.

She gently caressed her belly, murmuring, "Baby, don't be afraid, trust Mommy, we'll make it through."

She took off her sweater, seizing the opportunity and tossing it outside. Bullets flew and sliced through

the fabric, hitting the door with a menacing thud.

With all her might, Mila risked her life to dash toward the door, but the bullets followed, ringing out in

rapid succession. The three shots felt like they grazed past Mila, brushing her with a touch of death, as

she raced inside at lightning speed.

Overwhelmed with fear and tension, she ran too fast, causing her to collapse at the entrance, her belly

searing with intense pain.

With gritted teeth, Mila crawled forward, her voice trembling as she instructed the sound control

system, "Turn off the lights." Darkness instantly enveloped the house.

Waves of excruciating pain rippled through her abdomen as Mila felt liquid trickling down her thighs.

Finally reaching the living room, she navigated to the coffee table, searching for her phone. Tears

streamed down her cheeks as she lay on the floor, dialing the emergency number, her gaze fixed on

the inky ceiling above.

Mila calmly reported the situation to the emergency services, requesting an ambulance, then dialed

Nathan's number.

Tears welled in her eyes as she tenderly touched her aching belly, clutching the phone with trembling

hands, awaiting a response. The phone continued to ring.

"Beep... Beep... Beep..."

Time stretched on, her heart growing cold with each unanswered ring. Nathan didn't pick up.

Trembling, Mila dialed again, only to hear the automated voice of a female robot. "The number you

have dialed is unreachable."

At that moment, her heart plummeted into a bottomless pit of despair.

Mila hesitated to jump to conclusions. Nathan's inability to answer the phone must mean he was facing

some danger.

Her legs turned numb, soaked through. With trembling hands, she dialed Cole's number.

Cole picked up right away. "Mrs. Morrison."

Mila's voice quivered. "Cole, where's Nate?"

"Fenna was drugged and badly hurt. He took her to the hospital. I'm leading the team to hunt down the

remaining kidnappers." Mila let out a bitter laugh. Her heart turned cold.

With a weak voice, Mila said, "Cole, hurry back. Phoebe's been shot."

Mila dropped the phone and turned her gaze toward the door. Her heart wrenched, and her body

trembled, but no tears fell.

"Phoebe, hang in there. The police

and ambulance are on their Cole is rushing back. You

stay strong until they arr waynet

In the dark room, Mila spotted the red ultraviolet light piercing through the balcony, searching for her

silhouette in the living room. The red dot was dancing like a ghost.

Mila felt determined with no fear and tears. She cupped her aching belly, focusing on her baby's

movements. Her only wish now was for her child to survive.

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"Mommy can give up anything as long as you live. I'll protect you and keep you safe from harm."