Chapter 8 - THE CHOICE
The twins were born early.
A storm raged outside the hospital.
Layla went into labor at thirty-three weeks.
Dominic was terrified.
Doctors rushed her into surgery.
He stood outside the operating room.
Every second felt like a year.
Then a cry came through the doors.
A nurse emerged.
“Baby girl first.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
“And the boy?”
“Strong heartbeat.”
He laughed once.
A broken, emotional sound.
When he finally entered the room, Layla was exhausted.
Two tiny babies slept beside her.
A boy.
A girl.
Dominic stood at the bedside.
“They're beautiful.”
Layla smiled.
“They have your nose.”
He laughed.
“Poor kids.”
She reached for him.
Dominic sat down.
He touched his daughter's tiny hand.
The baby wrapped her fingers around his.
Dominic froze.
His eyes filled.
Layla watched him silently.
“You're crying.”
“No.”
“You are.”
He wiped his face.
“I have something in my eye.”
“Both eyes?”
He laughed.
“Yes.”
Layla smiled.
Then Dominic looked at her.
“I want to leave the syndicate.”
She stared.
“What?”
“I don't want them growing up around this.”
“You can't simply walk away.”
“I can.”
“Dominic.”
“I spent years believing fear was power.”
He looked at his children.
“I don't want my son learning that.”
Layla squeezed his hand.
May you like
“Then build something different.”
And Dominic did.
