Chapter 453
Chapter 453
It was a shame Joshua couldn’t be there to witness the birth of their chili.
But given the way things were, Shermaine didn’t dwell on it. She wasn’t someone who let emotion cloud her judgment when the stakes were nich
If anything, she was more worried about him. He knew her due date was near, and knowing Joshua, he was probably pacing, restless, unable to slegs
And she was right. Joshua hadn’t had a decent night’s rest in days. Insomnia wore him thin, his mood turning increasingly volatile.
Joshua hadn’t had a decent night’s rest in days. Insomnia wore him thin, his mood turning increasingly volatile.
But under his command, the organization had risen swiftly. Their reputation surged through the underground, swallowing up independent cells and consolidating power.
Once considered a mid–tier group, barely scraping the top thirty, Eagle Assassins now stood comfortably among the top fifteen, striking enough fear into rival factions to keep them quiet.
The night passed. By ten the next morning, the Top Hundred Tournament began.
The venue could hold several thousand people and was streamed live across the networks, with betting pools open to the public.
Shermaine’s popularity had soared, not just among women, but men too. Her presence stirred admiration and awe in equal measure.
As they left the hotel, Jasmine glanced nervously at Shermaine’s stomach. She couldn’t help but worry the baby, stirred by the roar of the crowd,
decided it was time.
Inside the arena, Shermaine moved with calm efficiency. She wore loose, comfortable clothing and settled at the gaming table like she owned the room.
Today’s game was a simplified variation of poker. Similar mechanics, fewer complexities.
From the very first round, her luck was uncanny. Every hand she drew was golden, and people began whispering it was rigged.
But with surveillance drones watching from every angle, cheating was impossible.
Midway through the match, she felt a kick. The baby had woken up and wasn’t being subtle about it. Shermaine picked up her pace, playing faster and offering a polite smile. “Let’s be honest. You’re not gonna win. So do us all a favor and stop dragging it out, yeah?”
Her three opponents exchanged awkward glances, visibly deflated.
Before the hour was up, the announcement lit up the digital board. Shermaine had become the first contestant to enter the Top Hundred. Reporters scrambled to find her for an interview, but she was already gone.
By the time she exited the stadium, the contractions were hitting hard and fast. Thankfully, outside, she helped Shermaine in and raced for the hospital.
smine had a car
I waiting. The moment they stepped
Shermaine’s face had lost some color. The pain was intensifying, wave after wave. The baby wasn’t waiting
anymore.
“Almost there, Ms. Hanks. Just hang on!” Jasmine said, trying to keep her voice steady, though her hands were shaking. Her legs trembled on the pedals. Sweat poured down her face.
Shermaine let out a breathy laugh. “Why do you look more panicked than I am?” It was like Jasmine was the one giving birth.
Jasmine muttered, wiping her forehead, “They say it’s the worst pain in the world. Are you seriously going through with natural birth?”
“Mm–hmm.”
“I mean, c–section’s really not that bad,” she said quickly. “With the right injection, you heal super fast, like, out of the hospital the next day fast. No
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Chapter 453
tearing, no screaming, no trauma.”
In this world, you couldn’t always tell who was a mother. Most women still looked young, flawless. The tech here made motherhood back effect
And with women being so rare, they were treated like gold.
Shermaine just smiled faintly, saying nothing. She had her own reasons.
No matter how advanced this world was, she had no interest in becoming dependent on its conveniences. After all, she wasn’t staying here forever.
But she made a mental note to study that injection. One day, when she returned to Earth, she could use it to ease the burden for other women.
Five minutes later, Shermaine was wheeled into the delivery room. She had insisted on a natural birth. Under the sterile lights of the operating room, the hours crept by. Then, after nearly three hours of labor, a sharp, high–pitched cry echoed through the maternity ward.
Shermaine and Joshua’s child had arrived. It was a healthy baby girl.
AD
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