Chapter 10 - The Flooded RoadThe storm had turned the arterial highway into a treacherous expanse of debris and rushing brown water. Ronald drove the reinforced four-wheel-drive vehicle with military precision, the headlights barely penetrating the torrential sheet of rain.
In the back seat, Julian held Elena upright against his chest, cushioning her against every jolt of the suspension. Her head rested against his shoulder, her breaths coming in ragged, shallow sobs.
"Stay with me, Elena," Julian whispered repeatedly, wiping wet strands of hair from her forehead with his sleeve. "Look at me. Focus on my voice. We are fifteen minutes away."
"I can't... I can't hold on, Julian!" she screamed as another violent wave of labor tore through her abdomen. "The baby is coming now!"
Dr. Thorne’s voice crackled over the vehicle's satellite phone. "Julian! The bridges on the southern approach are closed due to rising water! You won't make it to St. Jude’s in time! You need to divert to the harbor warehouse district—my secondary mobile clinic is stationed at your dockyard facility!"
Julian didn't hesitate. "Ronald, take the industrial spur! Break the perimeter gates if they're locked!"
The vehicle veered hard to the right, tires splashing through standing water as they careened toward the shipping yards where Julian's empire had begun.
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Julian looked down at Elena. Her lips were turning blue from the shock of rapid labor. In that moment, surrounded by the roar of the tempest and the metallic smell of seawater, the memory of his past—of Carl dying in the bed of his truck—threatened to drown him in terror.
Not again, Julian vowed silently, his grip on her hand tightening until his knuckles cracked. Not this time. Not on my watch.
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