Chapter 269

Camila Harrington gritted her teeth through the pain until the stabbing cramps in her lower abdomen finally eased up a bit. A faint smile tugged at her pale lips. For a second, the fear gripping her heart loosened—her baby was okay. She instinctively reached down, checking the fabric of her pants. No blood. Camila let out a shaky breath, almost laughing with relief. That sense of despair weighing her down a moment ago? Completely gone. Hope rushed in, fierce and burning. She had to hang on—for the baby. No matter how awful she felt, she’d stay standing if it meant survival for them both. Using a nearby oil drum for support, she pushed herself up, trembling and weak, moving step by step toward the dim light ahead. "Hang in there, baby. Mama’s not giving up. We’re gonna get out of here… alive." Her voice was barely a whisper, hardly more than a breath. Maybe she was trying to reassure the baby—but more than that, she was reminding herself. She needed something to hold on to. As long as s