Chapter 7: Chapter 7 – Birth under Storm

A low rumble of thunder shook the villa’s stone foundations as Evelyn Lin paced the guest suite, fingers brushing the swell of her belly. Rain lashed the windows, and the night wind whipped through cracks beneath the door. Three years of Empathic Degeneration, two years of forced marriage and algorithmic torment—everything had led to this moment.

Aria Shen hovered by the bedside, clipboard in hand. “Your contractions are eight minutes apart, intensifying. You should consider heading to the delivery suite.”

Evelyn ran a hand across her damp brow. “It’s premature. I’m not thirty-six weeks yet.”

Aria’s eyes were gentle but firm. “Better out than in distress. The fetal monitors show stress markers. We need stability.”

Evelyn closed her eyes. “The storm. The power grid is down. The drone med‑unit will take too long.” Her breath caught. “Aria, what about the backup drones?”

Aria tapped her earpiece. “On standby, but the storm signal interference will delay them. We—”