The doctor hesitated, his jaw tightening. "She…" he paused, his throat working as he searched for the right words. "She's in critical condition. We managed to stop the bleeding, but her body's weak. She lost a lot of blood, and right now, she's not responding. We're doing everything we can, but…"
Genesis's breath caught. Her fingers went cold. "But what?" she whispered.
"She might not make it through the night," the doctor said softly.
Genesis gasped, her knees giving out beneath her as she clutched at Knight's arm. "No…" Her voice broke. "No, please, no…she can't… she can't die."
"Genesis.." Knight started, reaching for her, but she stumbled forward toward the doctor, shaking her head violently.
"Let me see her!" she cried. "Please, I need to see her! I have to…"
The doctor stepped in front of her, his hands raised. "I'm sorry, ma'am. You can't. She's in intensive care now. No visitors allowed until she stabilizes."
"I don't care!" Genesis sobbed, her voice rising. "Please, she has to hear me, I didn't mean to, she can't die thinking I…" Her words dissolved into broken sobs.
Knight caught her before she fell again, wrapping his arms tightly around her trembling frame. "Genesis, stop. Breathe, please, breathe."
But she couldn't. She clung to his shirt, crying into his chest. "It's my fault… it's my fault, Kieran, I made her scream, I…"
The doctor's voice softened, sympathy flickering across his tired face. "You can't see her right now," he said quietly, "but you can see the baby. He's in the neonatal unit, just through that window down the hall."
Genesis froze, her tear-streaked face lifting slowly. "The baby?"
The doctor nodded. "He's small, but he's strong. For now… he's fighting."
Knight rubbed her back gently. "Come on," he murmured. "Let's go see him."
Genesis nodded faintly, wiping her eyes, her legs unsteady as they followed the doctor down the hall.
The corridor lights hummed softly, the air thick with disinfectant. When they reached the window, Genesis pressed her trembling hands to the glass. Inside, surrounded by wires and machines, a tiny baby lay in a clear incubator, impossibly small, his chest rising and falling in a fragile rhythm.
Her breath hitched. "He's so tiny…" she whispered.
Knight stood behind her, resting his hand on her shoulder. Daisy clung to his other arm, her eyes wide and wet.
Genesis pressed her palm against the glass, tears slipping down again. "You have to live," she whispered, voice trembling. "Both of you… please live."
Knight's eyes lingered on the fragile form inside the incubator, then on his wife's shaking shoulders. He didn't say anything because he couldn't promise her they would.
Not tonight.
****
Genesis stood in front of the glass for hours. She didn't look away—her eyes stayed fixed on the baby. Tears dried on her cheeks only for new ones to fall, her hands trembling where they pressed against the glass.
Knight glanced at her as he spoke on the phone, a sleeping Daisy resting on his shoulder.
"Yes, Dad," he said quietly before ending the call.
He walked toward Genesis and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, but she didn't turn to look at him.
"We have to go…"
"I'm not leaving them," she cut in, her voice flat, her eyes hollow.
"We have to go, baby. You need to rest. They're in the best hands." He leaned closer, pressing his forehead softly against the back of her head. She shivered, a heavy drop of tears slipping free.
She finally turned to him. "I won't be able to live with myself if anything happens to them."
He nodded, cupping her tear-streaked cheeks. "And I won't either if anything happens to you."
Genesis nodded weakly, her gaze flicking toward Daisy. She brushed a hand across her daisy's back, then leaned into Knight's chest.
"I'm scared."
Knight smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. His gaze drifted to their son. "I'm scared too."
After a few silent moments, they left the hospital and headed back to the estate. Damon drove, his eyes catching their reflection in the rearview mirror. Knight sitting in the middle seat, Genesis asleep against his shoulder, and Daisy sprawled across his chest, her tiny snores soft and steady.
Damon looked away and exhaled. This family never gets a break, he thought.
Blackwood Estate
"Yes, please, take her to her room and change her into her pajamas," Knight murmured as he handed Daisy to Cady, who nodded with a solemn look. By now, the entire staff already knew what was happening.
Revelation stood by the large doors, watching as Knight leaned into the car to lift a sleeping Genesis into his arms. As he turned, their eyes met for a fleeting second then he looked away.
He turned to Damon, who had stepped out of the car, and gave a silent nod.
Revelation's heart pounded as Knight approached. She rose slightly on her toes, trying to catch a glimpse of Genesis, but she was pressed tightly against his chest, hidden, peaceful.
As Knight crossed the doorway, he stopped and glanced at Revelation. She quickly looked down.
"Good evening, young master," she muttered.
His lips curved into a dark, amused smirk.
"Your sister is fine."
The relief in her chest lasted barely a second before his words dawned on her and his tone changed.
"But the same can't be said for you."
Her eyes widened. She spun around, too late. Damon's hand clamped over her nose with a cloth. She struggled, eyes wild with horror, as Knight turned and watched silently. Damon dragged her backward, her movements growing weaker.
The Angels stood behind Knight, silent and still.
And before Revelation slipped into unconsciousness, realization hit her like ice, the game she thought she was playing was never hers to begin with.
As darkness crept in, Joy, one of the Angels, stepped forward and closed the mansion doors with a loud thud.
Everything faded to black.