Free Billionaire's Threat by Sloan Storm

straddled the line of between composure and utter breakdown. Only the incessant chips and robotic beeps of the monitoring equipment entered my awareness.
    “Okay,” he began, as a soft smile came to his lips. “Well, I’ll leave you to think things over for now.”
    “O-Okay, Dr. Matthews. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome, my dear. I’ll be back to check on you soon.”
    With that, he turned and began to leave the room. On the way out, he paused where Katy stood and began to speak to her. They were far enough away that I couldn’t make out what they discussed. It didn’t matter though. The decision was mine and mine alone to make. For the moment at least, no tears escaped from my eyes. As Dr. Matthews exited, Katy made her way back over to me.
    “Hey sweetie,” she said. “How are you?”
    Exhaustion rippled through my body. “I’m so tired, Katy.  I just want rest.”
    Stroking my hair, she nodded. “Okay, honey. Try and get some sleep. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”
    Almost before she stopped speaking, my eyes fluttered closed for a moment. My chest rose and fell as the rhythm of sleep descended on me. Katy remained by my side and continued to caress me as I sensed the beginning what would be a fitful slumber, at best. For several minutes, I lay still trying to ease the tension. Unable to get completely comfortable, I decided to shift position and lay on my side. However, as soon as I did, I felt a familiar twinge.
    I swallowed.
    “Katy,” I whispered. “Go get Dr. Matthews. Now.”
    “Maddie. What’s wrong?”
    I felt the skin of my face wrinkle in terror as the pain returned with breathtaking force. My legs bent, shooting up towards my waist as I doubled over in agony.
    “The baby!” I screamed. “The pain, it’s back! Hurry, Katy, please!”
    “Oh my God!” Katy shrieked. “U-uh, omigod, I’ll be right back!”
    Katy turned and ran for the door, flinging it open with all her might. The instant she left the room, the room the pain escalated once more, becoming almost unbearable. I writhed like an animal caught in a trap, groaning. By accident, I pulled too hard on one of the tubes anchored into the top of my hand, tipping over the IV drip. It narrowly missed hitting me on top of the head as it crashed to the ground, clanging and creating a terrific sound.
    Sitting up, I cried out. “Ahhhhh! Please someone! Help!”
    Just then, the hydraulic swing arm of the door to my room hissed as it opened. Led by Dr. Matthews, two nurses ran in with Katy bringing up the rear.
    I reached out towards Dr. Matthews and cried out, “Help me! Save my baby!”
    Dr. Matthews grabbed my arm and pressed me back into the mattress, pinning me.
    “Maddie, shhh…” he said with as much reassurance in his tone as he could muster.
    He barked out commands to prep this and secure that, but I had trouble focusing. I began to feel light-headed again, almost faint. Rolling my head back and forth, I noticed Katy standing off to one side, with both hands covering her mouth. Her entire face flushed as tears rolled down her cheeks. Seeing it, the sickening realization hit home for me as well. Sharp stabs cut through my stomach like spears and I began to cry once more.
    “Maddie!” Dr. Matthews said as he clicked a bright light into my eyes. “Look at me. I need you to focus.”
    Through a haze of sorrow, I looked up towards the beam and as I did, I felt my consciousness slip away.
    “Grey.” I whispered. “Grey…”

    GREY
    I hated London. Hated it . The weather, that is. Otherwise, it was a great city. If you could take the weather of Los Angeles and move it to this goddamn rain-soaked island, ninety percent of the world’s population would live here. The nightlife, the culture, you couldn’t beat it.
    I hadn’t bothered calling Maddie yet, and she hadn’t tried to get in touch with me either. It was just as well. With all the work I had to get done, what was going on with her would have been little