Chapter 157

The message had come in the dead of night—Claire needed her.

Evelyn barely slept, tossing until dawn. The moment sunlight crept through her curtains, she dressed in a hurry and hailed the first cab she saw.

Lucas Bennett looked like he'd been through hell when she arrived.

Dark shadows bruised his eyes. His jaw was rough with stubble, his clothes wrinkled from hours in that stiff hospital chair.

Claire wasn't faring much better. Though she'd slept, the imprint of the stiff hospital pillow still creased her cheek.

Lucas hadn't left her side all night.

The doctors had admitted her for complications—her pregnancy was unstable, the threat of miscarriage looming.

He'd only learned the truth when he rushed here. Guilt gnawed at him, vicious and relentless. While she'd been in pain, he'd been out playing poker like some careless fool.

So even though Claire refused to speak to him, even though her silence was sharper than any words, he stayed.

She'd managed a few restless hours of sleep near dawn.

But Lucas hadn't closed his eyes once.

The night had been long, but Lucas hadn't slept a wink.

When Evelyn arrived, Lucas stepped back to give her room.

"Claire, are you hungry? I'll grab you something to eat." With that, Lucas walked out.

As he left, Evelyn took Claire's hand gently. "How are you holding up?"

Claire forced a weak smile. "It's almost funny. Last night, he sat by my bed, pouring out his regrets. The irony isn't lost on me. All I can picture is how fiercely he used to defend Isabella."

Her smile faltered as tears pooled in her eyes.

Evelyn handed her a tissue, dabbing at her cheeks softly. "After you left last night, Lucas swore he'd never see Isabella again."

Claire shook her head. "It doesn't matter to me anymore."

Evelyn's eyes dropped to Claire's stomach. "Still going through with it? If Lucas finds out, he'll try to stop you."

If Evelyn remembered correctly, Claire's termination procedure was set for ten o'clock.

Lucas likely had no idea, assuming Claire was only here to monitor the pregnancy.

Evelyn glanced at the wall clock—less than twenty minutes remained.

The surgery was scheduled in fifteen minutes, which meant Lucas had only five minutes left to change Claire's mind.

As they spoke, Lucas returned with takeout.

"The hospital cafeteria options are limited. Eat something now, and once you're discharged, tell me what you're craving. I'll have it prepared for you."

He set the containers in front of Claire.

The moment she caught sight of the food, her stomach turned violently.

Lucas tensed, immediately pulling the food away and rubbing her back in concern.

"There's something I need to tell you," Claire blurted out.

Evelyn hesitated, sensing the gravity of the conversation. She quietly excused herself, shutting the door behind her.

"Go on," Lucas urged, his focus entirely on Claire.

"I've decided to—"

His phone rang abruptly.

He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening before silencing the call. "Ignore that. Continue."

Claire inhaled deeply. "I'm going to—"

The phone rang again, cutting through the tense silence. Lucas Bennett's jaw tightened visibly, his fingers gripping the device with barely concealed frustration.

Noticing the unfamiliar number flashing across the screen, he exhaled sharply. "One moment," he muttered, stepping away without another glance.

Claire Dawson settled deeper into the pillows, her gaze steady as she tracked his retreating figure. The door clicked shut behind him, sealing her in quiet solitude.

Outside, Lucas braced one hand against the corridor wall, his posture rigid. The phone pressed to his ear, his other hand resting on his hip in clear agitation.

Evelyn Carter lingered nearby, close enough to catch fragments of the conversation—thanks to the speaker's volume.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress as she strained to listen.