Chapter 290
Ethan's and Alexander's cars stood parallel, engines humming softly in the evening air.
From Ethan's vantage point, Evelyn's delicate profile was perfectly visible through the passenger window of Alexander's vintage car.
Yet she remained utterly unaware of his presence.
Determined, Ethan lowered his window with a sharp click.
A frigid gust rushed inside, making Vanessa shudder violently. "Ethan, it's late. Can we leave? I'm freezing—please close the window."
He didn't acknowledge her, his eyes locked onto Alexander's retreating vehicle.
The classic car roared to life, tires spitting gravel into the air. Dust swirled, choking Vanessa as she coughed into her sleeve.
Finally, with a stiff motion, Ethan raised the window again.
Just as he shifted gears to follow, Vanessa seized his wrist, her nails digging in.
"Ethan, I feel terrible. Take me to the hospital. Now."
Earlier, during the chaotic standoff, one of the kidnappers had fired—
Vanessa's legs gave way beneath her, the terror too overwhelming to bear.
She crumpled to the ground, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.
The impact left her dizzy, a dull ache spreading through her body.
A sharp, unfamiliar pain twisted low in her abdomen, and her fingers instinctively pressed against it.
Her once pristine cream-colored dress was now smeared with dirt, the fabric clinging to her skin.
Then she saw it—the dark crimson seeping through her tights, staining them a horrifying shade of burgundy.
Ethan’s gaze followed hers, his expression hardening as he took in the sight.
Vanessa’s blood ran cold.
Her hands trembled violently as she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“I… I haven’t had my period in almost two months.”
Her throat tightened.
“Ethan… I might be pregnant.”
The realization struck her like lightning.
If she was carrying his child, everything could change.
He’s been pushing for a divorce… but what if—
Her thoughts were cut short by another wave of pain.
“Ethan!” she cried, desperation clawing at her chest. “Please, take me to the hospital! Now!”
Her mind raced back to that single night—the only time they had been together since their marriage.
Could fate be this cruel?
Or was this her last chance to hold onto him?
The car ride had been tense. Ethan Caldwell had been possessive, repeatedly calling out Evelyn Carter's name.
Vanessa Hart clenched her fists. "It was degrading, but if it meant conceiving his child, perhaps it was worth the humiliation."
Yet the blood terrified her. "Is the baby still alive?"
Her panic intensified with every passing second.
By the time Evelyn arrived home, the clock had long struck midnight.
She was still shaken from the night’s horrors.
The moment they stepped inside, Alexander Whitmore’s phone rang.
The silence of the house made the conversation painfully clear.
"The kidnappers escaped. They had backup. Stay alert."
"Understood," Alexander replied curtly before ending the call.
Evelyn froze. "How is that possible? There were officers everywhere. How did they just vanish?"
Alexander’s voice carried a trace of remorse. "They had help. No one abandons their own."
Then, quieter, he added, "I was their real target."
Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat.
Alexander's voice was low but steady as he spoke. "Back during my time at the academy, I crossed paths with some dangerous people while working undercover. This... this is their way of settling the score."
Everything clicked into place for Evelyn.
Her mind flashed back to that chaotic night at Eclipse Lounge—the glint of steel, Alexander dodging the blade at the last second.
Had that attack been part of this same vendetta?
Turning toward him, she noticed the exhaustion etched into Alexander's features. His usually immaculate appearance was rumpled, his jaw tight with unspoken tension.
The air between them grew heavy with unasked questions.