What Blooms From Burned Love

When Suri came to, she was in a hospital bed.

Alone.

Outside, nurses rushed by, chatting.

"Did you hear? Bruce Jerkinson's wife is about to give birth."

"For real? I thought she couldn't have kids. Wasn't she always doing IVF and stuff?"

"No clue, but yeah—she's in labor. Early, too. Bruce is losing it."

"He must really love her. Married her even though she couldn't get pregnant, and now look—baby's finally here."

Suri shut her eyes, the words slicing through her.

Julie's giving birth? Already?

Eight months. That was too soon.

Her phone buzzed.

She answered—and Bruce's voice exploded through the speaker. "Suri, where ARE you? I don't care—get to the hospital, now.

"Julie's in early labor because of your drama. If anything happens to that baby, I'll NEVER forgive you!

"You've got ten minutes. Come apologize to Julie. If you don't—we're DONE. DIVORCE."

Click.

The line went dead.

She stared at the screen as it faded, too numb to speak.

Then a doctor walked in, clipboard in hand. "Mrs. Jerkinson, how are you feeling? If your housekeeper hadn't brought you in... you wouldn't have made it."

"Dr. Thompson... what happened to me? Why was I bleeding? Don't tell me I was—"

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Jerkinson. We tried everything, but we couldn't save the baby. Your IVF last month actually worked—but you came in too late. If you'd gotten here sooner, maybe..."

"What?" Her voice cracked. Pain flooded her eyes. "My baby... is gone?"

"Yes. And with how difficult it was for you to conceive... I'm truly sorry. You should call your husband. Recovery's going to take time. He should be here."

Her phone buzzed again.

Bruce.

[Why aren't you here yet?]

[Do you really want a divorce before you'll show up?]

[I'm so disappointed in you. If something happens to Julie's baby, I never want to see you again.]

Suri pressed her cracked lips together, hands shaking as she stared at the messages.

Swallowing her grief, she made one call. "Raine... can you come get me from the hospital? I need your help."

By the time Raine Dudley, Suri's best friend, arrived to take her away, Bruce was still pacing outside the OR, frantically calling and texting her. She hadn't replied once.

Eventually, she just turned off her phone.

Furious, he was about to lose it when Dr. Thompson walked by, brow raised. "Mr. Jerkinson? What are you doing here? Mrs. Jerkinson's baby—"

The OR doors swung open. Another doctor stepped out, cutting him off. "Mr. Jerkinson."

Bruce rushed forward. "How is it? My baby?"

"Both mother and child are doing well. You can relax."

"Really? Boy or girl?"

"A boy. Your family finally has an heir. Mrs. Jerkinson's been moved to recovery. You can see her now."

Bruce didn't wait—he spun around and bolted down the hall.

Dr. Thompson watched him go, frowning. "Mrs. Jerkinson gave birth to a boy? That can't be... she miscarried. What's going on? Are there two Mrs. Jerkinsons?"

Bruce stopped cold. He turned, face tightening. "What miscarriage? Who miscarried?"