Chapter 213

By the time Gabriel and Isla arrived at the hospital, everything had already changed.

Betsy had given birth.

She had brought a beautiful baby girl into the world.

The room felt different from the moment they stepped inside. It was calm, warm, and filled with a quiet kind of happiness that could not be forced. The air carried soft sounds-machines beeping gently, low voices, and the faint breathing of a newborn.

Betsy lay on the hospital bed, her face pale but glowing.

Sweat still clung to her skin, and her hair was slightly messy, but she looked peaceful. There was a tired smile on her lips, the kind that came after pain she went through.

Beside her bed stood a small cradle.

Inside the cradle lay the baby.

She was wrapped in a soft white blanket, tiny and fragile, yet very real. Her little hands moved slowly, and her eyes were open, wide and curious, taking in the world for the very first time.

Ben stood beside the cradle, frozen in place.

One of the baby’s tiny fingers was wrapped around his much larger finger. The contrast was striking. Her handwas so small, yet her grip was strong, as if she was already holding on to life, to her father and to her future.

Ben’s breath shook.

Tears filled his eyes, burring his vision. His chest felt tight, full, like his heart had grown too large for his body.

He stared at the baby, unable to believe what he was seeing.

He was a father now.

The realization hit him slowly, and it felt good.

Isla could not hold back her tears either. The moment she saw the baby, emotions crashed into her like a wave. She moved quickly to Betsy’s side and sat on the edge of the bed.

Her fingers slid gently into Betsy’s hair, stroking it softly, lovingly.

“You did so well,” Isla whispered, her voice breaking.

Betsy smiled weakly, her eyes shining. She was exhausted, but she was happy.

Gabriel stood beside Ben. Without saying a word, he placed a hand on Ben’s shoulder and squeezed gently. It was not a tight grip, just enough to say, I understand.

If it were him, if it were Isla on that bed, if it were his child in that cradle, he knew he would feel exactly the same.Gabriel’s eyes moved to the baby.

She was so small and so quiet

Her eyes suddenly shifted, and for a brief moment, it looked like she was staring straight at him.

Gabriel stiffened slightly.

“Ben?” he said slowly. “Why does it feel like your daughter is looking at me?”

His words broke the calm in the room.

Everyone turned to look at him.

Ben frowned and leaned closer to the cradle. “No,” he said firmly. “She is looking at me, not you. You’re overthinking it.”

Gabriel stepped closer too, his brows pulling together. ” No, you’re wrong. She’s looking at me. See?”

The two men leaned in from different sides, both trying to prove their point.

“Guys!” Betsy suddenly raised her voice. “What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

Isla rolled her eyes dramatically before bursting into laughter.

“The baby cannot see yet,” Isla said, still laughing. “She doesn’t even know you’re there. Please stop it, or I will personally throw both of you out.”

Betsy pointed weakly toward the door.

Just then, the door opened again.

Sofie and Peter walked in.

“Oh my God,” Sofie exclaimed softly when she saw Betsy.

She rushed forward and bent down, pressing a gentle kiss to Betsy’s head. “Congratulations. I am so happy for you.”

Isla stood up and hugged Sofie tightly. The two women held each other carefully, both heavily pregnant, both emotional.

Peter stepped forward next. He hugged Isla briefly, then leaned down to kiss Betsy’s head.

“Congratulations,” he said warmly.

Sofie walked to the table and placed the baby’s breath flowers she had brought beside the ones Isla had already placed there.

Peter leaned over the cradle and stared at the baby.

“Hmm,” he said slowly. “The baby is looking at me. Is this normal?”

“It is,” Gabriel replied quickly. “She looked at me too.”

Sofie straightened immediately. “Why can’t you men stop bothering the baby?” she said. “She cannot see yet.”Peter moved slightly to the side.

The baby’s eyes followed him.

Sofie froze.

“No way,” she whispered. “Betsy… your baby can see.”

“I told them,” Gabriel muttered quietly.

The room filled with laughter again.

It was a beautiful moment. Three best friends together again. Together in joy, and not fear. Together in life, and not loss.

After a while, Betsy slowly drifted into a deep sleep.

The nurses gently suggested everyone leave so she could rest.

They said their goodbyes quietly and stepped out.

Just yesterday, they had been celebrating together.

Betsy was not shocked to see Isla alive. She had always believed Isla would return.

But Sofie had believed the news of Isla’s disappearance.

The shock had almost cost her pregnancy. She had been hospitalized from the stress and fear.

The men had believed it too. Gabriel had vanished without explanation. They thought he needed time to grieve alone.But now, everything is different.

Everyone was alive.

Everyone was together.

On the way home, Isla leaned against Gabriel. Her head rested on his shoulder, and her hands clung to his arm.

“I forgot to tell you something,” Gabriel said softly.

“Hmm,” Isla murmured. “Tell me.”

“Dreston and Cassienne got a divorce.”

Isla sat up immediately.

“What?” Her eyes widened, her mouth falling open.

“I saw Cassienne at the new tech company where I went.”

Gabriel explained. “She told me everything.”

“Divorced,” Isla whispered.

“Yes.”

After a pause, she asked, “How is she coping?”

“She’s fine,” Gabriel said. “She’s changed. She looks better and stronger now.”

Isla leaned back again. “Then I’m happy for her. But I hope Dreston realizes his mistake before it’s too late.”

“I hope so too,” Gabriel replied.The rest of the drive was quiet.

Until Isla’s phone buzzed.

She reached into her bag and pulled it out.

It was an email.

She opened it.

Then she gasped.

“No way,” she whispered, covering her mouth.

Gabriel turned to her immediately.

“is everything okay?”