After Rebirth, The Strongest Beasts Are Obsessed With Me

"Elena, honey, we're so sorry we can't be there for your delivery."

"Come on, Mom. It's your thirtieth anniversary honeymoon. Nobody expected the baby to drop in early and crash the party."

Elena lay against the hospital bed, smiling tenderly through FaceTime at her parents, who were thousands of miles away in Italy.

"Yeah, well, a month early isn't 'dropping in,'" Clayton fretted. "What if he isn't strong enough?"

"Dad, relax. Marcus got me all the best doctors. It's gonna be fine," Elena reassured, rubbing her rounded belly.

Daisy chimed in with optimism. "That baby's just in a hurry to see us. He'll be causing trouble soon."

Elena felt the baby stir inside her, a wave of sweet happiness flooding her chest. This was the child she had craved for three years since marriage. It was a healthy, energetic boy according to the ultrasounds.

"Where's Marcus anyway? Tell me he isn't hiding out in the cafeteria when you could go into labor any minute." Clayton grumbled.

"He forgot my hospital bag. He'll be right back, Dad." Elena jumped to defend him.

No denying Clayton's dislike for his son-in-law. He never missed a chance to criticize, always thinking his only precious daughter deserved better than some handsome, scrappy man from poverty.

But Elena had been stubborn. Marcus was her first college love, who'd stayed up nights caring for her through illness. She'd never questioned his devotion.

After Elena married Marcus, Clayton compromised. He handed over major control of the family business to groom his son-in-law, then took his wife away to enjoy their golden years.

Just then, the door banged open. Marcus walked in, looking rushed but empty-handed.

"Clayton, Daisy-hey, so sorry for making you worry." Marcus nodded respectfully at the camera before leaning down to kiss Elena's forehead.

Elena caught a whiff of unfamiliar perfume.

Confused, she frowned. "Did you get the bag?"

Marcus's gaze flitted away. "Yeah, uh-"

Before he could answer, a gut-wrenching pain suddenly tore through Elena's abdomen.

"Elena! Are you alright?" her parents cried out through the phone.

Marcus slammed the call button. "Doctor! She's going into labor, now!"

Minutes later, a woman in a white coat entered. Golden curls. Mask covering her face, but her eyes were striking.

"I'm Dr. Victoria Harrison. Relax, Elena. I'll take a look."

On the phone, Clayton and Daisy were panicked.

"We're booking flights right now!" Clayton yelled, an inexplicable terror gripping him.

"Dad, Jesus...I'll be fine. I have to focus, okay?" Elena gasped through gritted teeth, not wanting to ruin their trip.

Cold sweat beaded her forehead. Her abdomen twisted like a vise, each contraction ripping through her core.

Dr. Victoria spoke gently. "You should hang up now. You need to focus."

"Mom... Dad... I'll call after the baby comes... I love you." Elena's eyes stung with tears as she hung up. How she wished they were here, like when she was sick as a child.

Time stretched on, endless and agonizing. The hospital felt tomb-quiet in the dead