Chapter 25

My pulse hammered in my ears as I sprinted down the sterile hospital corridor.

The words I'd overheard kept replaying in my mind.

Sophia wasn't pregnant.

The entire thing had been a lie.

But what was her endgame?

I had to tell Sebastian immediately.

I dodged through the maze of hallways, constantly checking behind me.

Every shadow made me jump.

My palms were slick with sweat, my breathing ragged and uneven.

I spotted Sebastian standing with my grandparents in the waiting area.

I grabbed his arm tightly.

"We need to leave. Right now," I whispered urgently.

Sebastian's expression shifted to concern. "Eleanor, what's happened?"

"Not here," I insisted. "Please trust me."

He didn't question me further.

His arm wrapped around my waist, guiding me swiftly through the exit.

His protective grip felt both comforting and necessary.

Inside the car, I immediately locked the doors.

Sebastian turned to me, his features tense. "Talk to me."

I took a shaky breath. "I overheard Sophia with a doctor."

His eyes darkened. "What did you hear?"

"She's not pregnant."

Sebastian's face went from confusion to stunned disbelief. "What?"

I nodded rapidly. "She was demanding medication to induce bleeding. She wants to fake a miscarriage."

Sebastian cursed violently, raking his hand through his hair.

"That deceitful-"

He cut himself off, his jaw clenching tightly.

I exhaled shakily. "Why would she do this? Why fake a pregnancy?"

Sebastian's gaze turned icy. "To trap Alexander. To secure her position in his family. Now she's staging a miscarriage for sympathy."

A cold dread washed over me. "She's manipulating everyone."

Sebastian's expression became calculating before he reached for my hand. "We can use this against her."

"How?"

A dangerous smile touched his lips. "If we expose her, Alexander and his family will turn against her completely."

I hesitated. "We need proof."

Sebastian nodded. "We'll get it. You said she threatened the doctor. That means he's vulnerable. We just need to make him talk."

I took a deep breath. "What if Sophia discovers I know?"

Sebastian's expression hardened. "She won't. Because we'll strike first."

His words sent chills through me, but I trusted him completely.

My phone buzzed abruptly.

An unknown number flashed on the screen.

I answered cautiously. "Hello?"

A distorted voice spoke. "Stay out of matters that don't concern you. For your own good."

My blood turned to ice.

Sebastian noticed my panic. "Eleanor? Who is it?"

I couldn't form words. My throat had closed up.

The voice continued, "You've been snooping around too much. Stop now, or you'll regret it."

The line went dead.

My hands trembled as I lowered the phone. "Someone knows," I whispered.

Sebastian's face darkened dangerously. "Who was that?"

"I don't know. But they know I overheard Sophia."

His jaw tightened. "They're watching us."

Fear coiled in my stomach.

Sebastian took my phone, examining the number. "It's untraceable." He turned to me, his expression fierce. "You're not alone in this. I won't let anything happen to you."

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. "What do we do now?"

Sebastian's eyes gleamed with determination. "We set a trap."

"A trap?"

He smirked without humor. "Sophia thinks she's in control. Let's show her she's not."

Back at Sebastian's estate, I paced nervously.

I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Someone had warned me to back off. But who?

Sebastian sat calmly on the couch, his focus sharp. "We need to hit her where it hurts. If she's faking this pregnancy, there's more she's hiding."

"How do we get the doctor to talk?"

Sebastian's smirk returned. "We apply pressure."

"Sebastian..."

"I won't hurt him," he assured. "But we'll make him nervous enough to talk."

A knock at the door made me jump.

Sebastian stood immediately. "Stay here."

He opened the door to reveal his butler.

"Sir," the butler said quietly. "We've secured the doctor."

My heart skipped. "What do you mean 'secured'?"

Sebastian turned to me. "He's in the study. We need to hear what he knows."

I followed Sebastian down the hallway, my hands clenched.

We entered the study where Dr. Collins sat trembling in a chair.

"Dr. Collins," Sebastian greeted smoothly, closing the door. "I hear you've been treating Sophia."

The doctor swallowed nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I stepped forward. "I heard everything. You told Sophia she wasn't pregnant. You said faking a miscarriage was dangerous."

Dr. Collins paled. "You misunderstood-"

"Don't lie," Sebastian cut in sharply. His calm voice held a dangerous edge.

The doctor wiped his forehead. "I had no choice. She threatened me."

Sebastian leaned forward. "Tell us the truth. How long has she been lying?"

Dr. Collins hesitated before sighing heavily. "Since the beginning."

I clenched my fists. "She was never pregnant?"

"No." He shook his head. "She came to me with fake test results. Said she'd ruin my career if I didn't cooperate."

I exchanged a look with Sebastian. We had our proof.

Sebastian smirked. "You did the right thing telling us, doctor."

Dr. Collins looked anxious. "Please don't tell anyone I was involved."

Sebastian nodded. "That depends on how useful you continue to be."