Within moments , over a hundred Coast Guard speedboats encircled the area . A dozen officers dove into the water , swimming toward me with swift , practiced strokes . In the distance , a massive naval vessel approached , its deck lined with fully armed Coast Guard officers . " Freeze ! " The lead officer drew his weapon and aimed it directly at Ethan and Vanessa , his voice cutting through the roar of the waves . " What the hell is going on here ? " Vanessa's face went paper white . She immediately ducked behind Ethan . Ethan tried to look calm , forcing an awkward smile . "Officer , this is a misunderstanding . My wife is exercising - swimming's good for pregnant women , helps with natural birth . " Two officers had already reached me , carefully lifting me from the water and guiding me toward the warship . My consciousness was slipping , but I still caught the officer's furious shout . " Bullshit ! She's hemorrhaging and you call this exercise ? " A rescue stretcher was lowered from the ship , and they moved me aboard with the gentlest care . On the deck , a tall , imposing figure raised his handgun and - bang - shot straight into the fuel tank of Ethan's jet ski with pinpoint accuracy . " Ahhh- ! " Vanessa screamed as she and Ethan tumbled into the water , flailing like soaked rats . Ethan choked on mouthfuls of seawater before resurfacing . When he looked up at the warship , his eyes went wide . " Dad ?! " Chapter 6 14.85 % Vanessa spluttered in the water , glaring at him . " Who the hell are you calling Dad ? " " Sophia's father ! " Ethan's voice cracked as he thrashed in the waves . Vanessa froze mid - paddle , swallowing a mouthful of seawater . " Wh - what ? You told me her dad was just some retired old man who feeds birds at the park ! " My father's face was stone cold as he gave a sharp wave of his hand , his voice like ice . " Drag those two bastards up here . " Several Coast Guard officers hauled the sopping pair onto the deck . Before they could even stand , my father's hand cracked across Ethan's face in a resounding slap . Smack ! " This is how you treat my pregnant daughter ? " His voice was low , but it pulsed with barely contained fury . Ethan staggered back a few steps , clutching his cheek , not daring to utter a sound . Head bowed , his whole body trembled . " Dad ... " My own voice was no more than a whisper , weak and shaky . My father dropped to a crouch beside me , his calloused hand wrapping around my cold fingers . " Don't be afraid , sweetheart . Daddy's here . " " Save ... the baby ... " My words were breathless , my abdomen tightening painfully , darkness closing in at the edges of my vision . My father's head snapped toward the military doctor . His voice became a command , sharp as steel . " I don't care what it takes - you keep my daughter and my grandchild alive . ' Then his gaze fell on the blood staining my clothes . His eyes hardened into something deadly . He yanked his sidearm free , the metallic click of a chambered round echoing in the tense air . Chapter 6