In the middle of the night, Adrian suddenly heard the cry of a child in his sleep. He opened his eyes and instinctively turned his head. Evan was curled up quietly beside him, fast asleep.

After tucking the blanket around him, an inexplicable unease rose in his chest, making it impossible to fall back asleep. He lit a cigarette and checked his phone. There was not a single message.

As he recalled the unknown calls he had declined earlier that day, a surge of panic ignited in his chest like a raging fire. My face flashed through his mind as he dialed Dr. Cady's number.

“Dr. Cady, how is my wife doing?”

“Mrs. Shaw? Mr. Shaw, wasn’t she taken to the hospital by ambulance for delivery? When I arrived at the villa, the ambulance had just left. I thought I was too late and you had already called emergency services!”

Adrian paused for a moment, then shot up from his chair. There was a flicker of excitement in his voice.

“You mean she’s already given birth?! No wonder I heard a baby crying in my dream just now. The child must’ve just been born. There’s a connection between us!”

Dr. Cady hesitated for a moment when he heard the excitement in Adrian’s voice, recalling that what he had heard earlier did not seem to match this version. After a moment’s thought, he said carefully, “Mr. Shaw, I suggest you go to First Hospital to see your wife as soon as possible.”

Adrian nodded eagerly.

Just as he grabbed his car keys and was about to leave, Sue appeared at the doorway, holding Evan’s hand. The boy rubbed his sleepy eyes and reached out his arms.

“Daddy, carry me. I can’t sleep without you.”

Sue stepped forward, dressed in a light, sheer white nightgown, gently holding Adrian’s arm.

“Adrian, I heard it. Did Elena give birth? It’s late. Driving there now isn’t safe. Besides, she’s probably asleep. Giving birth is exhausting. Don’t disturb her rest. It’s not urgent.”

Adrian lowered his gaze and pondered for a moment. Then, he carried Evan in his arms and turned to Sue.

“You’re right. A few hours won’t make a difference. I can go in the morning. The child isn’t going anywhere. Francis is nearby. I’ll have him pick up some things and check on Elena first.”

…

The next day, Adrian bought a bouquet of tulips and called his secretary, Francis, to ask whether the baby was a boy or a girl.

Francis was sweating anxiously. He had already searched the hospital several times but could not find my ward anywhere.

After completing the discharge procedures, I walked to the front of the building. Just as I was about to get into the car, I heard someone shout behind me.

“Mrs. Shaw!”

I turned around. Francis came running over, disheveled and out of breath, pointing at his phone. “Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Shaw will be at the hospital any minute. Where are you going?”

I glanced at his phone, lowered my eyes, and tightened my hold on the urn in my arms. Without saying a word, I turned around and got into the car.

Francis stood there in shock, watching the black car drive away. Then, he said into the phone, “Mr. Shaw… Mrs. Shaw… She’s gone.”