Chapter 17: A Sudden and Frightening Start

Ashley was jolted awake at 3am by a wave of intense pain that swept through her lower abdomen, making her gasp for air. She sat up in bed with a start, her heart racing, and that's when she felt it - a warm gush of liquid between her legs. She froze, her mind foggy with sleep, but her body reacting instinctively. Her hands flew to her belly, and she felt...nothing. No kicks, no movements, no gentle nudges. Just an unsettling stillness. Panic set in as she threw off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Alev was still asleep beside her, oblivious to her distress. She shook him awake, her voice trembling. "Alev, wake up. I need you." Alev's eyes fluttered open, bleary with sleep. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice groggy. Ashley couldn't speak. She just pointed to her belly, her eyes wide with fear. Alev's expression changed from sleepy to alarm as he took in her distress. He sat up quickly, his eyes scanning her body. "What's happening?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. Ashley took a deep breath, trying to process what was happening. "I felt a pain, and...and I felt something...wet." She looked down, and her heart sank. There was a large wet spot on the sheets. Alev was out of bed in an instant, grabbing a flashlight from the nightstand and shining it on her belly. "I'm going to go get some towels," he said, his voice calm, but his eyes betraying his worry. As Alev rushed out of the room, Ashley's mind was racing. She knew it was too early for labor - she was only 23 weeks pregnant. Premature labor was a risk, but she had been told that her pregnancy was healthy, and she hadn't experienced any complications. Alev returned with a stack of towels, and Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as he began to clean up the spill. But as he looked at her, his expression was grim. "We need to go to the hospital," he said, his voice firm. Ashley's heart sank. What was happening to her baby? And what did this mean for their future? She knew that she had to stay calm, for her own sake and for the sake of her unborn child. But as she looked at Alev, she couldn't help but feel a sense of fear and uncertainty.