Pregnant During An Apocalypse [BL]

Chapter 216: Chapter 216 - Heartbeat

Qiu Yue kept moving the ultrasound probe gently over Muchen’s lower stomach, the gel cold against his skin. The room was quiet, save for the hum of the machine.

Muchen lay still, eyes glassy. He already knew the truth. The child was gone.

He had felt it—that wrenching pain, the warm blood flooding down his legs, the crushing ache in his abdomen. How could anything have survived that?

But then—

Thump. Thump. Thump.

A soft, rhythmic sound echoed from the monitor, steady and alive. Muchen instinctively pressed his hand to his chest.

His own heart was pounding... but this—

He looked at Qiu Yue, breath hitching. ”Then this heartbeat...”

Qiu Yue gave a small smile, his gruff demeanor softening. ”That’s not yours.” He turned the monitor slightly toward Muchen. ”Look here.”

On the screen, barely larger than a bean, nestled in the shadow of his womb, was a tiny flickering light. A heartbeat.

Muchen stared. And then everything shattered inside him.

He let out a broken sob, hands covering his mouth. His body shook as he cried into his palms, hot tears spilling down his cheeks. ”You’re alive...” he whispered, caressing the spot just below his navel. ”You held on... even when I gave up.”

”I bled so much,” he suddenly gasped. ”Is the baby healthy? Will it—will it be okay? What if—what if it’s affected—?”

Qiu Yue’s smile faded slightly as he zoomed in. ”The bleeding likely came from here,” he said, pointing to the screen. ”There’s a small perforation between the womb and the intestinal lining. It looks like it stopped on its own. But we’ll need to do more tests to be sure everything’s healing correctly.”

He looked back at the screen with a furrowed brow and visible awe. ”I’ve never seen anything like this. A man with a functioning womb... This is what Yunfeng meant by ’omega’, huh? Thought he was pulling stories out of thin air. But this—” He leaned in slightly. ”This is something else.”

He scribbled something down, then looked to Muchen again. ”I’ll need your blood work too. To monitor hormone levels and check for internal stress.”

Muchen was still sobbing softly, one hand resting over his stomach protectively. ”Okay...” he whispered. ”Take what you need. Just... just help me protect this baby.”

Qiu Yue worked quickly, drawing Muchen’s blood with steady hands. The vial filled with crimson, and he labeled it without a word.

Just as he turned to leave, Muchen suddenly reached out, his hand trembling as he caught Qiu Yue’s sleeve.

”C-can you... not let anyone know?”

His voice was hoarse, barely louder than a whisper, but the desperation in it rang louder than any scream. His eyes were wide with fear, his face pale as the weight of reality pressed down on him.

He wasn’t safe.

Not here.

Not now.

Not with the way Yunfeng had been treated. His lover was targeted some unknown force that has military backing. It was especially not safe for their child now. If these forces come to know of their child’s existence they will do worse to the little life.

He swallowed hard as his face paled visibly.

”If anyone finds out...” His voice broke. ”They’ll take me. Or the baby. They’ll experiment on us. Lock us away. I—” He shut his eyes, a shudder coursing through him. ”I can’t let that happen. Please... please don’t let anyone know.”

Qiu Yue’s expression tightened. Then he nodded.

”I understand,” he said, his voice firm. ”I’ll do the report myself. Off the record. No one else will see it. Your child is safe with me.”

His gaze was serious now, the cool determination in it steadying Muchen’s racing heart. Muchen choked back a sob and nodded, whispering, ”Thank you... thank you so much...”

Qiu Yue didn’t reply—just picked up the ultrasound scan and blood vials and left with swift, purposeful steps.

Muchen quickly wiped the cold gel off his stomach and swung his legs off the bed. His hands trembled, but his feet moved with certainty. The fear hadn’t left him—but joy burned brighter.

He ran.

Down the hallway, ignoring the startled glances and murmurs, until he reached the quarantine room.

Inside, Yunfeng lay still on the cot, sweat-soaked and flushed. But he was breathing.

Muchen burst into the room, his joy too big to hold. He met Shao’s eyes and smiled—truly smiled—for the first time since the bombs fell.

Shao’s lips quirked, understanding instantly. ”I’ll give you two some time.”

Shao stepped out of the room, the door hissing softly shut behind him.

Just outside, a few doctors had been loitering—observing through the glass, whispering among themselves, unsure whether to enter or intervene.

The moment Shao emerged, their eyes widened as if they’d been caught standing too close to a fire.

One of them muttered something under his breath.

Another took a visible step back.

Then, like a tide suddenly pulled by gravity, they all scattered—scrambling away down the hallway as if proximity alone could infect them. Their coats fluttered, clipboards clutched to their chests, fear stamped on their faces.

Jai watched them flee, a small, tight smile tugging at the edge of his mouth.

Shao joined him, arms crossed as they stood side by side.

”Cowards,” Shao muttered.

”It suits us just fine,” Jai replied quietly. ”Let them stay scared... It gives him some peace.”

Shao joined him, folding his arms.

”He’s okay,” Shao murmured.

”I know,” Jai replied, his gaze not leaving the window. ”I’m happy it’s all good now.”

Shao nodded.

Inside, Muchen had dropped to his knees beside Yunfeng’s cot, gently brushing his lover’s damp hair aside. He cupped Yunfeng’s cheek, whispering something against his skin, his own tears slipping freely. Then his hand slid to his own stomach, holding it with the soft, protective touch of someone who had something precious growing within.

Jai smiled watching muchen. ”im happy for them... I wish for love like that..”

Shao peered at him intently without saying a word. ”I hope youw wish comes true,” he murmured under his breath.