Chapter 24

Isabella’s POV

My vision swam with tears as I dragged Sebastian from the mansion.

He attempted to halt my frantic movements, his voice low with worry, but words failed me completely.

Pure terror seized my entire being, my heart hammering violently against my ribs.

I barely choked out directions to the driver, demanding he take us to the hospital immediately, before collapsing into sobs, my face hidden in my hands.

“Isabella, please, speak to me,” Sebastian urged, his tone thick with anxiety.

I drew a ragged, unsteady breath. “It’s my grandparents,” I finally managed to gasp out. “The hospital called. There was an accident.”

Sebastian went rigid next to me, his features softening with immediate empathy. “I’m so sorry,” he murmured softly. “We’ll be there as fast as possible.”

The journey felt endless, each ticking second amplifying my sheer dread.

My phone felt heavy in my trembling hands, every moment spent waiting for another update, praying it wouldn’t bring devastation.

Sebastian never let go of my hand, his grip firm and steady throughout the entire agonizing ride.

The car had barely rolled to a stop at the hospital entrance before I flung the door open, sprinting inside. Sebastian was right on my heels.

“My grandparents,” I panted to the receptionist, my voice strained. “Benjamin and Charlotte Sterling. Where are they?”

The nurse’s expression turned gentle, sympathetic. “They’re currently in surgery. The accident resulted in some internal injuries, but our doctors are doing absolutely everything they can.”

A choked cry escaped me, my legs buckling beneath the weight of the news. Sebastian’s arms shot out, catching me before I hit the floor.

“They’re fighters, Isabella,” he whispered firmly into my hair. “They will get through this.”

I clung to him desperately, my tears staining his shirt. “I can’t lose them, Sebastian. They’re all I have left.”

His embrace tightened, his hand drawing slow, calming circles on my back. “You won’t lose them. Just hold onto that hope.”

The wait outside the surgical wing stretched for what felt like an eternity.

Dark, terrifying thoughts swirled in my mind, but Sebastian remained an unwavering anchor beside me.

He continuously murmured reassurances, keeping me grounded whenever the panic threatened to pull me under.

Finally, the doors to the operating theater swung open. A surgeon emerged, removing his mask.

I leapt to my feet.

“Mrs. Sterling?” he asked.

“Yes,” I breathed out, my heart in my throat. “How are they?”

He offered a small, tired smile. “They pulled through the surgery. They’re stable now.”

A powerful wave of relief washed over me, and I released a shaky exhale. “Can I see them?”

The doctor nodded. “They’ve been moved to a private room. Right this way.”

I nearly ran down the corridor, Sebastian matching my frantic pace step for step.

The sight that greeted me in the room brought fresh tears to my eyes.

My grandparents lay in their hospital beds, looking weary and bruised, but blessedly alive. “Isabella,” my grandmother said weakly, a soft smile touching her lips. “You came.”

I rushed to her bedside, grasping her hand tightly. “Of course I came! You terrified me!”

She gave a faint chuckle. “It was just a little accident, sweetheart. Nothing serious.”

Tears tracked down my cheeks. “It matters to me. I was so scared.”

My grandfather reached for my other hand. “We’re alright, Isabella. No more tears.”

But I couldn’t stop. Seeing them like this, bandaged and vulnerable, made my heart ache fiercely.

Sebastian cleared his throat gently, stepping closer. “I’m relieved to see you’re both okay.”

My grandmother smiled warmly at him. “Sebastian, dear. You’re walking? Why didn’t Isabella tell us?”

I opened my mouth to explain, but Sebastian spoke first. “I should be the one to explain.”

He took a deep breath, his expression turning grim. “Three years ago, I was in the accident that killed my mother. I should have died that day, too. But I survived–just barely.” My grandparents’ faces grew solemn.

Sebastian continued, “The injuries left me paralyzed. My doctors said I would never walk again. My cognitive functions were impaired. I… wasn’t myself for a very long time.”

My grandmother squeezed his hand. “Oh, my dear boy…”

“It took a full year before I began any real recovery,” Sebastian admitted. “And once I did, I knew I had to keep pretending.”

“Pretending?” my grandfather echoed, confused.

Sebastian’s eyes turned dark and serious. “Whoever murdered my mother intended for me to die too. If they discovered I had recovered, they would have finished the job. So, I maintained the act while I secretly hunted for the truth.”

My grandparents exchanged a look of deep concern before turning back to him with profound sympathy. “We’re so sorry, Sebastian,” my grandmother said gently. “You’ve carried this terrible burden all alone for so long.”

Sebastian offered a small smile. “Not anymore.” His gaze shifted to me, and my heart constricted.

I reached for his hand, lacing our fingers together. “We’ll find the truth together. I promise.”

The next morning, after the doctors confirmed my grandparents were stable enough for discharge, I headed to the billing office to settle the expenses while Sebastian arranged their transportation home.

As I passed a doctor’s private office, I heard raised voices.

I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but one voice instantly froze me in my tracks.

Sophia.

My heart slammed against my ribs. I edged closer, pressing myself flat against the wall just outside the door.

“If you don’t give me something to induce bleeding, I will ruin you. I’ll destroy your family,” she hissed, her voice venomous.

My eyes widened in sheer shock.

A male voice–undoubtedly the doctor–replied, sounding nervous and apprehensive. “Miss, this is extremely dangerous. You’re not pregnant. Taking medication like that could cause you serious harm.”

Not pregnant?

My breath caught in my throat. Sophia had been parading her supposed pregnancy for weeks, acting as if she carried Alexander’s heir. But if the doctor was telling the truth…

She had been lying the entire time.

I pressed a hand tightly over my mouth to silence a gasp.

“What I do with my body is my business,” Sophia snapped viciously. “Just give me the damn pills.”

The doctor hesitated. “Miss, I must strongly advise against–”

“Now!” Sophia snarled, her voice cutting like ice.

I clenched my fists until my nails dug into my palms. So, this was her scheme. She had never been pregnant at all.

But why fake a pregnancy? And why was she now so desperate to fake a miscarriage?

Disgust and fury churned in my gut. Sophia was a pathological liar–a master manipulator. And now, I had proof.

I needed to find Sebastian. Now.

But as I turned to hurry away, my foot accidentally knocked against a metal cleaning cart parked in the hallway.

The wheels let out a loud, betraying squeak.

I sucked in a sharp, silent breath.

Abrupt silence fell from within the office.

Then–

“Who’s out there?” Sophia’s voice rang out, sharp and suspicious.

I didn’t wait to see if she would come investigate. I spun on my heel and hurried away, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my chest.

I had to get away before she discovered I had overheard everything.