On April 18, 2028, Cordelia was discussing insurance purchases with Norman when her water suddenly broke. Norman immediately called an ambulance, which arrived swiftly and transported Cordelia to the nearest hospital. To ensure the safety of Cordelia and the baby, Norman immediately contacted Dr. Zimmerman and Commander Alberto Romano, both close friends of his. Despite the stringent security at American hospitals, there was no guarantee someone wouldn't exploit legal loopholes. Both Norman and Cordelia were members of the Timing Police. With incidents of Timing Thieves impersonating civilians on the rise, there was no guarantee they wouldn't target the newborn. Thus, through Commander Romano's urgent coordination, the Timing Police reached an agreement with the hospital security department. A special operations squad under Commander Romano's command would “collaborate” with hospital security to completely seal off and monitor the maternity ward floor.
The moment the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Norman and his partners donned high-tech goggles. Given recent incidents of Timing Thieves impersonating medical staff, the tactical team accompanying Norman had already initiated operations. Their advanced goggles scanned biological signatures and residual temporal energy traces, swiftly verifying the identities of all present medical personnel. In the corridor leading to the operating room where Cordelia was being transferred, medical staff swiftly presented the cesarean consent form. Norman skimmed it rapidly before signing his name immediately.
At that moment, Norman seized the lead surgeon's arm. His piercing gaze held unquestionable authority and a hint of concealed fear: "Doctor, listen. Under my authorization, forceps are strictly prohibited during this procedure. This is not a suggestion—it is a security directive from a high-ranking commander of the Timing Police. I have witnessed the trauma they inflict. My wife and child cannot be subjected to that risk.“ The doctor replied, ”Rest assured, we won't use them." Watching his wife wheeled into the operating room, Norman insisted on accompanying her during delivery. Despite revealing his identity, the hospital politely declined, citing “emergency cesarean protocol.” At that moment, the senior surgeon stepped forward, his tone firm yet respectful: "Commander, within the operating room, we must adhere to optimal medical procedures to ensure absolute safety. Please trust my expertise, just as I trust you to hold the line outside." Seeing Cordelia's critical condition, Norman clenched his fists. Finally, under Romano's imploring gaze, he suppressed his anxiety and chose to concede.
Suddenly, the purple necklace emitted an eerie glow. The voice sounded again: "Norman, be careful! All four of us ended up as single fathers. The moment a child is born is the fork in destiny! Don't ask! Protect your partner!“ Norman gripped the purple necklace tightly, silently praying: ”Cordelia, you must be safe." Nearby, Commander Romano gently patted Norman's shoulder, signaling reassurance. Multiple prenatal checkups had confirmed the fetus was healthy, and the high-tech eye mask detected no neurological abnormalities.
The cries of two newborns pierced the air as new life finally arrived. After an unknown duration, the operating room door finally opened, and a nurse emerged: “Mr. Wu. Mother and babies are doing well—it's a boy and a girl. The boy came first, then the girl. They've been taken to the neonatal ward for examination.” Norman, however, remained tense, urgently demanding, “What about my wife? How is Cordelia?” The nurse paused before truthfully replying, “The mother is currently experiencing postpartum hemorrhage. The doctors are treating her inside and need to conduct further tests.”
Norman felt as if struck by lightning. A crushing fear gripped his heart—could the necklace's prophecy truly be coming to pass? Just as his mind and spirit shattered, the discontented voice from within the necklace sounded again, cold and mocking: “A vicious cycle. You couldn't even protect your own partner. What makes you think you're the exception?” Norman had known since childhood that the four restless souls within the necklace were single fathers, but would they cruelly take Cordelia away? The necklace's purple glow gradually faded, turning as murky as stagnant blood. Though Norman had no time to spare for it, he instinctively felt a deeper unease. Every ounce of his being was now focused on Cordelia, whose fate remained unknown.
Time ticked away agonizingly, second by second. It felt like an eternity before the operating room lights finally dimmed. The lead surgeon emerged, looking slightly weary. He removed his surgical cap and met Norman's desperate, anxious eyes with cautious yet life-changing news: "Commander, Mrs. Wu's bleeding has been stopped. She's remarkably resilient and is no longer in immediate danger. However, due to significant blood loss, she's extremely weak and must be transferred to the intensive care unit for close monitoring. She can only be moved to a regular ward once we confirm her vital signs are fully stable."
At that moment, Norman still couldn't shake the weight on his mind, for he had to stay by Cordelia's side. Given that her recovery would take time, if Norman had matters to attend to and couldn't make it to the hospital, Cordelia's older brother and his wife would come to visit and care for her. Then, that voice resounded once more—a cold Slavic accent he'd never forgotten since childhood. It spoke directly into his ear in clear, icy, and malicious Russian: “Я вернусь за тобой...” (I will come back for you...) The brief phrase sent a chill down his spine. Norman thought, “So it was you all along, mocking me... Hu Yihe...”
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and then Add to home screen.