Karma Comes Knocking, Camilla
The next morning, the NICU was filled with the soft beeps of monitors and the hushed voices of nurses.
The Prescott family waited anxiously in the family area just outside: Rebecca, Alexander, Ivy, and Jesse. The air was thick with worry.
Dr. Peters, the neonatologist, walked out with a grave expression. Everyone stood up immediately.
"The baby is having some breathing difficulties," she said gently but honestly.
"This is common in premature infants at thirty-four weeks, especially after the stress of the emergency delivery.
His lungs are still developing, and he's showing signs of respiratory distress.
We've increased his oxygen support and started CPAP. We're monitoring him very closely."
Jesse's face went pale. "Is he... is he going to be okay?"
Dr. Peters sighed. "We're doing everything we can. We'll try our best, Mr. Prescott. These first few days are critical, but many babies at this stage pull through with proper care."
Jesse's hands trembled. The strong, protective man who had held everything together suddenly looked broken. He stepped forward, voice cracking with desperation.
"Please... save him. He's so small. He's been through so much already because of what happened. I can't lose him. Please, Doctor... do whatever it takes. I'll pay anything, I'll donate anything, just... save my son."
His voice broke completely on the last words. Tears slipped down his cheeks as he stood there, practically begging.
Dr. Peters placed a comforting hand on his arm. "We're fighting for him, I promise. He's a fighter. We'll update you every hour."
She gave them a sympathetic nod and returned to the NICU.
Jesse sank into a chair, head falling into his hands as quiet sobs shook his shoulders.
Ivy sat beside him, wrapping an arm around him.
Alexander stood nearby, jaw tight with worry.
Rebecca watched her son with conflicted eyes, the depth of his love for the baby (and for Emery) was impossible to ignore now.
In the incubator inside the NICU, the tiny baby struggled with each breath, machines helping his underdeveloped lungs.
The family could only wait.
And pray.
×××××××
Alexander walked into the dimly lit police station with a cold, purposeful stride. His eyes burned with barely restrained fury. Officer Ramirez met him at the entrance and led him to the holding area.
Camilla was pacing inside a small cell, arms wrapped around herself. When she saw Alexander, her face lit up with hope.
"Alexander!" she cried, rushing to the bars. "Thank God you're here. I knew you'd come. Please, get me out of here. This is all a misunderstanding!"
Alexander stopped a few feet away, staring at her with pure hatred. His voice was ice-cold.
"A misunderstanding?" he repeated, voice dripping with disgust. "You hired men to ambush me on the road. You tried to have me killed because I humiliated you. You used me, lied to me, and when I rejected you, you decided I should die. There's no misunderstanding here, Camilla."
Camilla's hopeful expression shattered. She gripped the bars tighter. "I... I was angry. I didn't mean for it to go that far. I just wanted to scare you, to make you see how much you needed me. Please, Alexander. I love you. I've always loved you."
Alexander stepped closer, his voice low and venomous.
"You don't know what love is. You're a selfish, manipulative, poisonous woman.
You ran away on our wedding day, then crawled back with lies about Emery.
You slept with me while I was still married.
But that's not your fault. It's mine. And when I finally saw you for what you are, you tried to have me murdered. I hope you rot in here."
Camilla's eyes filled with tears: real ones this time. "Alexander, please... don't do this."
He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper only she could hear. "I'm going to make sure you never see the light of day as a free woman again. Enjoy your cell, Camilla."
He turned and walked away without another glance.
Camilla screamed after him, shaking the bars. "Alexander! Come back! You can't leave me here!"
The officers watched the entire exchange, taking notes. One of them nodded to Alexander as he left.
"We have her confession on record, sir. We'll file the charges immediately: attempted murder, conspiracy, assault. She's not going anywhere."
Alexander gave a single, satisfied nod. "Good. Keep me updated."
He walked out into the night, the weight of betrayal finally turning into cold, final justice.
Camilla had played her last game.
And she had lost everything.
×××××××
Emery's eyes fluttered open slowly. The hospital room was softly lit, machines beeping steadily around her.
Pain radiated from her lower abdomen: a deep, burning ache. Her hand instinctively moved to her belly... and found it smaller. Empty.
Panic hit her like a wave.
"The baby?" she gasped, voice hoarse and terrified. "Where's my baby? Where is he? Where's Emesse?"
She tried to sit up, wincing sharply at the pull of the fresh C-section incision. Tears filled her eyes instantly.
The door opened. Jesse rushed in, still wearing the same clothes from the night before.
"Emery!" He crossed the room in two strides and gently eased her back against the pillows, his hands careful but urgent. "Emery, breathe. I'm here. I'm right here."
Emery clutched his shirt, eyes wild with fear. She sat up again. "Jesse... where's my baby? Please tell me he's okay. I can't feel him anymore. Why isn't he here?"
Jesse pulled her slowly into his arms, cradling her as best he could without hurting her incision. His voice was soft but steady, though his own eyes were red from exhaustion and worry.
"He's okay, love. He's in the NICU. He's a little premature so they're keeping him under observation for his breathing and feeding. He's small, but he's strong. The doctors say he's doing well."
Emery panted, still panicked, tears streaming down her face. "Why? Why is he there? Is something wrong with him? Did Harper... did she hurt him?"
Jesse rubbed her back gently, holding her close. "No, love. He's fine. He just needs a little extra help because he came early. The doctor said it's standard. He's safe. I saw him last night. He's beautiful."
Emery calmed down a fraction, but fresh pain made her wince. "My body hurts... everything hurts."
"You know you had an emergency C-section," Jesse whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "They had to get him out quickly. The incision is still healing. Twenty-eight stitches on the outside. It's going to hurt for a while, but you're going to be okay."
Emery started sobbing softly against his chest. "I was so scared... Harper... she was screaming that he was a bastard. She dragged me... I felt something pop inside. I thought I was losing him."
Jesse held her tighter, his own voice cracking. "I know, love. I'm so sorry. I should have been there. I should have protected you better. But Harper is in custody now. She's not getting away with this. I've already filed charges. She will pay for what she did to you and our son."
Emery nodded against him, still crying. "I want you to make sure she's punished. She hurt my baby. I can bear it when she hurts me... but not him."
Jesse kissed the top of her head. "I will. I promise. She crossed every line. She's going to regret ever touching either of you."
He helped her lie back down carefully. Emery winced sharply as the movement pulled at her incision.
"It's alright," Jesse whispered, stroking her hair. "I'm here. Rest now, love."
Emery looked up at him, eyes still wet but full of quiet love. "Jesse?"
"Hmm?"
She reached up and touched his cheek. "I love you."
Jesse's eyes softened, a small, broken smile breaking through. "I love you too, Emery. More than anything."
He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, lingering there for a long moment.
"Rest now," he whispered. "I'll be right here when you wake up again."
Emery nodded, exhaustion pulling her under once more.
Jesse stayed by her side, holding her hand, watching over the woman and child who meant everything to him.
×××××××
The hospital rooftop garden was quiet under the night sky.
Alexander stood alone near the railing, a lit cigarette between his fingers, staring out at the distant city lights.
Smoke curled slowly into the cool air as he took another drag, his face illuminated by the faint glow of the cigarette.
Footsteps approached. Jesse stepped out onto the rooftop, hands in his pockets.
"What happened?" Jesse asked, stopping a few feet away.
Alexander sighed heavily and shook his head, not turning around at first. "Camilla."
Jesse frowned. "What did she do this time? Is she still trying to flirt with you?"
Alexander let out a bitter laugh and finally turned to face his brother. "No."
"Then what?"
Alexander took one last drag before flicking the cigarette away. His voice was low and cold.
"She tried to kill me."
Jesse froze. "What?"
"She was the one who ordered the attack, Jesse."
"Are you kidding me right now?"
Alexander's eyes were dark with fury. "No. That bitch hired those men to have me killed. She paid the middleman in cash. The police found the connection. She confessed when they brought her in."
Jesse ran a hand through his hair, stunned. "Oh fuck... What the hell is wrong with women these days?"
Alexander leaned against the railing, exhaling sharply. "She's at the police station right now. I had her arrested. Attempted murder charges. She's not getting out anytime soon."
"Well deserved," Jesse muttered, jaw tight. "That woman is poison."
Alexander nodded slowly. "She's going to pay for it. For everything."
Jesse was quiet for a moment, then asked, "And Harold? He'd flip. He already blames himself for what happened to Emery."
Alexander's expression darkened. "He had a heart attack when he found out Camilla tried to have me murdered. He's not doing well."
"Jesus..."
"Don't tell Emery," Alexander said firmly. "She's too weak right now. She doesn't need more stress."
Jesse nodded. "Yeah, I won't. She's already fighting so hard."
Alexander stared out at the city again. "At least Harold had some shame left. His own daughter humiliated him multiple times. How long could he take it?"
"You're right," Jesse said quietly. "But Emery can't know. Not yet."
Alexander patted his brother's shoulder. "Go get some rest. I'll stay a little longer."
Jesse hesitated, then nodded. "Come on, let's grab something to eat first. You look like shit."
Alexander gave a tired half-smile. "Go ahead. I have something important to do."
Jesse studied him for a second, then turned and walked back inside.
Alexander remained on the rooftop, lighting another cigarette, his eyes cold as steel as he stared into the night.
Camilla had crossed the final line.
And Alexander was going to make sure she paid for every single tear Emery had shed.
×××××××