Phoenix had lost a lot of blood, but by some miracle, Catherine's blood type was a perfect match. And, luckily, there was a doctor who hadn't left the island yet. Though it was a little awkward having her ex pull a bullet from her current boyfriend—aka the guy she cheated on him with—Catherine was beyond grateful that Jasper was a good guy.

"He's going to be okay," Jasper told her. "Though you still have to report what happened to the police, you should probably get some sleep. He's going to be out for a while."

As long as Phoenix wasn't dead and didn't fall into another coma, Catherine was happy. Ecstatic even.

"What if he wakes up and I'm not here?" she wondered.

"He'll have enough painkillers to sedate 10 horses," Jasper joked, "he'll be out of it even if he does wake up—the best, most productive thing you can do is sleep so when he's actually alert—you can be there. Unless you don't feel it's safe to go home? I mean, you were a little vague about what happened."

"I… I don't know what happened," Catherine lied. Something in her gut told her that it was on Phoenix to handle this. Not her. "I just found him like this."

"But if it's not self-inflicted… that means there may be a shooter on the loose—lurking somewhere on the island. It was probably someone looking for cash or a crazed fan, but maybe to be safe you should stay somewhere else? I'll give you money for a new villa."

"Thanks, but all my stuff is in the old villa." And the shooter was clearly a demon who could teleport just about anywhere. "And I can't leave Phoenix. I know sleep is more productive, and at some point I'll need to do it, but right now I can't. I really can't." Mostly because Catherine was worried Demi would show up and finish the job. Of course, she couldn't say any of this to her ex-boyfriend.

"Okay, well, at least go home and change, or wash up so you're more comfortable," said Jasper. "Doctor's orders."

Catherine smiled, but it was weak. "Thank you, Jasper, really. Without you—if you weren't here, and you did this right after I—for the guy I…"

Jasper held up his hands. "Say no more. Please. My wounds are still healing too." There was a small pause. "I always figured if he showed up, I'd lose you. I just didn't expect it to be so soon, but when he broke through those doors at the wedding and you went after him, I knew you weren't coming back. It's… why I gave you time—clearly, I gave you too much time, but anyway… go wash up. I'll take care of him, I promise. He'll be fine."

Catherine nodded slowly and thanked Jasper again before making her way across the island and returning to her villa—also known as the crime scene.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

It was crazy how a day so filled with laughter and joy could turn into such a nightmare. The villa was trashed; she wasn't even sure how it got so bad. She guessed the paramedics on the island knocked some things over, but there was also the vase Demi had thrown smashed all over the floor.

The contrast between the blissful morning and the chaotic present was stark. Catherine's mind flashed back to the tender moments she had shared with Phoenix just hours ago - his gentle touch, his loving words, the way his eyes lit up when he looked at her. Now, those same eyes were closed, his body still and pale. The memory of their happiness made the current situation even more painful. As she surveyed the destruction around her, Catherine felt as if she were moving through a dream - or rather, a nightmare. The shattered vase, the overturned furniture, the smears of blood on the floor - it all seemed surreal, like a scene from a movie rather than her real life. Yet the ache in her heart and the trembling of her hands reminded her that this was all too real.

She carefully walked around the mess before packing their bags, so they were both ready to leave when the rescue and transport helicopter arrived. Catherine then made her way into the bathroom and started to strip off, eager to have a quick shower and rinse Phoenix's blood from her skin.

As she undressed, Catherine caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach, which seemed a bit rounder than she remembered. A wave of nausea hit her, reminding her of her suspicions. She needed to know for sure.

After her shower, Catherine rummaged through her toiletries bag, finding the pregnancy test she'd bought days ago but had been too afraid to use. With shaking hands, she took the test, then waited what felt like the longest three minutes of her life.

When she looked at the result, her heart skipped a beat. It was positive.

"Holy shit," she swore, feeling like she was going to throw up again, only this time it was from nerves.

Catherine knew she needed more information. A home test wasn't enough. She needed to see a doctor, to know for sure how far along she might be. With Phoenix still unconscious, she made a decision.

"Jasper," she called, finding him in the hospital corridor. "I need a favor."

Jasper looked at her, concern etched on his face. "What is it, Catherine?"

"I need... I need an ultrasound," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Understanding dawned on Jasper's face. Without a word, he led her to a small examination room. "I'll get the technician," he said softly.

Minutes later, Catherine found herself lying on an examination table, a kind-faced technician spreading gel on her abdomen. As the image appeared on the screen, Catherine's breath caught in her throat.

"Well," the technician said, smiling, "it looks like you're about 22 weeks along. See that?" She pointed to a distinct shape on the screen. "That's your baby."

Catherine's mind reeled. Twenty-two weeks? But that meant... "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice trembling.

The technician nodded. "Pretty sure. Would you like to know the gender?"

Catherine nodded, unable to speak.

"It's a girl," the technician said softly.

Tears welled up in Catherine's eyes. A girl. Phoenix's girl. Their daughter. The relief and joy she felt were overwhelming.