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CHAPTER ONE

"She's co out of it"

Eden heard the words, but didn't recognize the voice Her eyelids felt glued together over a layer of sandpaper It took a Herculean effort to force the shadows

There werefrom under water

Soht "Yes, Doctor"

Her eyes began to adjust, ht and shadows

A young doctor bent over her, his pale blue eyes intent on her face "Hello, Mrs Kouros I'ht in How do you feel?"

"Like I've been hit by a truck," she rasped Her tongue felt parched and swollen

"You were…or at least your car was"

I rain, a wet road, the sound of squealing tires Headlights co and penetrating Aristide swearing in Greek and English His aresture superfluous Her brown hair swirling around her face, it and the airbag blocking everything else from view

More distressing ies bombarded her and her hand moved restlessly to cover her still-flat stomach

Her gray eyes clung to the doctor's, begging reassurance "My baby?"

The paramedics had said the tiny life inside her probably wouldn't survive the trau She didn't re up just now

"You're still pregnant"

"Thank God," she said brokenly, relief pouring through her slight body

"Unfortunately, you're spotting The good news is that there is no amniotic fluid in the blood However, the aed fro we can to save the baby, but the next seventy-two hours are going to be critical You must remain in this bed and stay calm"

She nodded and winced at the ache in her head "Hurts…"

"Yes" He shone a sht in her eyes anda ht arlass"

Now that he , but her entire body felt like she'd been beaten

Where was Aristide? Surely he wouldn't leave her to face this alone Hea father Even after their argument, he would be by her bedside for the baby's sake

"Where is my husband?"

The doctor laid his hand on her forearreed on that?"

"Yes" She willed her e to take a choke-hold on her "Please tell me"

"Mr Kouros is in a room down the hall His vitals aren't bad, but he hasn't come round yet"

"He's in a coma?"

"Yes"

She flinched as if the word had been a physical blow She felt like it had been Prior to the accident she'd convinced herself and told Aristide that she was ready for her reater pain than loving a man she was certain cared for another wo

The prospect of Aristide dying hurt much worse

"Will he come out of it?" She could barely make herself ask the question, she was so terrified of the answer

"There's no way to tell, but indications are good"

"I need to see hiht It had to be all right