Bits of Love, Lines of Code
Chapter 90 - 85 – “Heartbeat of Two”

Chapter 90: Chapter 85 – “Heartbeat of Two”

The rain poured gently over the countryside as Ren’s black BMW M5 pulled into the private hospital’s underground lot. Aoi sat beside him, silent, her hands gently folded over her stomach.

"I should’ve taken you earlier," Ren muttered, parking quickly and stepping out to open her door.

Aoi gave him a faint smile. "You were busy with the company... and I didn’t think it was serious."

"You’re my wife," he said, brushing her hair behind her ear and kissing her forehead. "That makes everything about you serious."

Inside, the hospital had already received Lucia’s pre-alert. A discreet nurse guided them into a VIP check-up suite. The gentle hum of medical tech filled the air, soft beeps accompanying every scan and measurement.

Dr. Hayashi, a kind-eyed woman in her early fifties, greeted them. "Aoi-san, let’s take a thorough look today. You’ve mentioned dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and fatigue, yes?"

Aoi nodded. Ren stayed close, gripping her hand as if afraid to let go.

Ultrasound. Bloodwork. ECG. One test after another.

Then, the room went quiet.

Dr. Hayashi adjusted her glasses, the monitor in front of her flickering with the baby’s readings.

"Aoi-san," she said gently. "There’s a small complication — your blood pressure is spiking unpredictably, and you’re showing early signs of preeclampsia."

Aoi blinked. "Is it... dangerous?"

Dr. Hayashi looked between the two of them. "It can be, if untreated. But we’ve caught it early. You’ll need bed rest, minimal stress, and close monitoring."

Ren was silent. But his jaw clenched.

Then came the sound both of them had been waiting for — a tiny thump-thump, steady and strong, echoing from the monitor.

"Your baby’s heartbeat is normal and strong," the doctor added with a smile. "That’s the good news. We’ll get you both through this, together."

Aoi let out a long breath she didn’t know she was holding. Ren squeezed her hand harder. He didn’t say anything, but she felt his thumb trembling over her skin.

Back at the house that evening

Ren carried Aoi inside like porcelain. "From now on, no more work. No more standing for long hours. Lucia and I will handle everything."

She chuckled softly. "You’re acting like I’m dying."

"You’re my everything. I won’t lose either of you," he whispered.

Lucia hovered nearby, eyes dimmed to a calm lavender hue. "Emergency scanning has been upgraded. Room environment optimized for low stress. AI surveillance net active."

Ren kissed Aoi’s temple and laid her gently onto the bed. "You just focus on growing our baby."

She smiled as he brought her warm soup and sat beside her, watching her every move as if to memorize it. He had never been this overprotective before — and yet, it comforted her more than she could say.

Across town — Saki’s apartment

The screen flickered with security feed. She zoomed in on Ren’s face outside the hospital.

Her nails dug into her palm. "You’re afraid," she whispered. "She’s weak. And you’re vulnerable."

Then she looked toward her own mirror — where a wedding dress hung in silence.

"My turn’s coming."