Chapter 149

Isabella rushed forward, her delicate hands cradling Claire's face. Tears welled up in her doe-like eyes.

"Claire, darling, this is entirely my doing," she whispered, voice trembling. "If only I hadn't twisted my ankle, Lucas would never have argued with you over me. I'm begging you - don't hold this against him."

Lucas yanked Isabella backward with sudden force, making her stumble against his chest. His jaw was set in that stubborn way Claire knew all too well.

"Stop blaming yourself," he snapped. "Accidents happen. You've got nothing to apologize for."

Claire felt the heat rise in her face until her vision blurred crimson. Her entire body trembled violently, fingers clutching at the hospital sheets.

Evelyn's strong grip anchored her before she could topple over. The concern in her best friend's eyes only made the humiliation worse.

"I can't..." Claire gasped, her voice barely audible. "Evelyn, get me out of here. Now."

Her complexion had turned ghostly pale, lips bloodless. Evelyn hesitated, torn between defending her friend and addressing the medical emergency.

"Let's get you to your room first," Evelyn decided, slipping an arm around Claire's waist. "You're in no state for this."

The moment they reached the private ward, Evelyn hit the call button. "Just breathe. I'm getting the doctor."

When the physician arrived, his expression darkened immediately after checking Claire's vitals. The deep frown lines between his brows spoke volumes.

The doctor's stern voice cut through the sterile hospital air. "We made it very clear—your emotions need to remain stable. Given your condition, you'll need to stay overnight for observation. No arguments."

Evelyn nodded in silent agreement, but Claire's voice was firm. "No. I don’t want to keep it. Doctor, I want to terminate the pregnancy. Schedule the procedure."

The doctor blinked in surprise. "Are you absolutely certain?"

Though it was a threatened miscarriage, the pregnancy wasn’t beyond saving. With proper rest, the situation could stabilize within a week or two.

Claire didn’t hesitate. "Yes. Can we do it tonight?"

"That’s not possible. The surgical wing is closed. If you’re resolute, I can arrange it for tomorrow morning."

"Fine. The sooner, the better."

As the doctor exited, the room fell into heavy silence.

Evelyn didn’t speak, but Claire knew the question hanging between them. "Don’t try to change my mind. After this, I’m filing for divorce. If Lucas refuses, I’ll take him to court."

"I wasn’t going to persuade you." Evelyn sat beside the bed, gently taking Claire’s hand. "I just… understand the pain."

Her heart ached for Claire and Lucas. Their turmoil mirrored what she and Alexander had endured—love twisted into something unrecognizable.

Claire’s fingers trembled slightly in hers. "I can’t bring a child into this mess. Not when the father is someone who—" Her voice cracked.

Evelyn squeezed her hand. "You don’t have to explain."

The weight of Claire’s decision pressed down on them both. Tomorrow would bring finality. And after that?

A new battle would begin.

The only difference was that Evelyn had walked away in time, while Claire and Lucas had not only married but brought a child into this mess.

Her chest tightened.

Now, the responsibility of terminating the pregnancy fell entirely on Claire’s shoulders. Why should she bear this pain alone?

Alexander called, his voice laced with impatience. "Why haven’t you left yet?"

The memory of Alexander’s friendship with Lucas flared Evelyn’s anger hotter.

"He’s outside the hospital, isn’t he?" she snapped. "Too busy tending to another woman while his wife suffers."

The words had barely left her lips when Alexander’s sharp inhale crackled through the phone.

"I see them."

Clutching her phone, Evelyn stormed to the window. Rage burned through her veins. "I won’t stand by and watch Claire drown in this alone."

Through the glass, Alexander’s distant figure blurred below.

"Alexander," she hissed, "Lucas may be your friend, but Claire is mine. If you dare stop me from putting my hands on him, consider our marriage over."

Silence.

Then, footsteps.

Lucas had reached Alexander.

The moment Alexander appeared, Lucas immediately abandoned Isabella and strode toward him.

"Alex, what a surprise seeing you here," Lucas remarked casually, already reaching into his pocket for his cigarette case.

Without warning, Alexander's fist connected with Lucas's face in a brutal punch.

From her vantage point, Evelyn couldn't make out the details clearly, but the sharp crack of impact echoed through the phone line. Lucas's enraged shout followed instantly.

"Goddamn it! You broke my nose!" Lucas roared, clutching his face as blood streamed between his fingers. "What the hell, Whitmore? That fucking hurts!"

His voice was thick with pain and fury, the metallic scent of blood sharp in the air.

Alexander remained silent, his expression unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders spoke volumes.

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat.

She had never seen Alexander lose control like this before.

Something was terribly wrong.

And somehow, she knew—this was all because of her.