Chapter 311

Ethan's expression darkened at her words.

Evelyn rolled up the window with deliberate slowness. "If there's nothing else, I'm leaving." The mere mention of Vanessa had instantly frozen any warmth in her tone.

Ethan's hand shot out, gripping the car door handle before she could drive away. A thought flickered through his mind—was this coldness actually jealousy? Could she still have feelings for me?

The words tumbled out before he could stop them. "The baby... I'm already working on convincing her to terminate it. Just give me a little more time."

Evelyn hesitated. More time? She hadn't expected him to reject Vanessa's pregnancy so outright. After all Vanessa's scheming, to have Ethan dismiss her so callously—it almost felt like poetic justice.

"Your mess with Vanessa is none of my concern," Evelyn said, her voice icy. "Just send me Damian’s location." Without waiting for a response, she pressed the accelerator and sped off.

Ethan stood frozen as her car vanished around the corner, then collapsed back into his seat. A slow smirk curved his lips. Of course. Women only act this way when they care. Evelyn must still be in love with me. Why else would she agree to reconnect on WhatsApp?

Damian is just an excuse.

Once I deal with Vanessa, everything will go back to how it should be.

Ethan didn’t waste a second. He sped toward the hospital.

Inside the private room, Vanessa was berating a young nurse.

The inexperienced nurse had failed to find the vein on the first try, forcing her to attempt the injection again.

Vanessa, already in a foul mood, snapped. She flung the tray of medical instruments to the ground with a loud clatter.

The nurse flinched, her hands trembling as she stammered an apology.

Just as Vanessa opened her mouth to unleash another tirade, the door swung open. Ethan stood there, his sharp gaze darkening with displeasure.

Vanessa’s expression instantly softened into a sweet smile. “Ethan! You came to see me.”

He didn’t respond immediately, instead turning to the nurse. “You’re dismissed.”

The nurse didn’t hesitate. She bolted from the room as if fleeing for her life.

Vanessa noticed the coldness in Ethan’s eyes and realized he must have seen her outburst. Her fingers curled slightly into the sheets as she quickly defended herself. “Ethan, look at my hand—it’s swollen from the needle. It hurt so much. I was just trying to teach her a lesson so she doesn’t make the same mistake with other patients.”

Ethan didn't care whether her words were true or not. It didn't matter to him anymore. His voice was cold as he said, "I just spoke with Evelyn."

Vanessa froze. "Ethan, what are you implying?"

His expression remained unreadable. "Get rid of the baby. Take the money. Only then will she even consider taking me back."

Vanessa couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Didn't you always claim to love me?" Ethan's gaze was piercing. "If you truly do, then prove it. Letting go is the greatest act of love. Dragging this out helps no one. If you terminate the pregnancy, you’ll be doing us both a favor."

Silence stretched between them. His words left her reeling. Had Evelyn really said that? The cruelty of it twisted inside her. This is between us. Why involve an innocent child?

It took Vanessa several seconds to find her voice again. "Your mother would never allow this. Ethan, this is your child too! How can you be so cruel?"

"Don’t bring my mother into this." His tone was final. "I’ve already arranged everything with the doctor. The procedure is scheduled for tomorrow morning."

This wasn’t a discussion. It was an order.

Without another word, Ethan turned and walked away, leaving Vanessa standing there, shattered.

Vanessa's entire body shook violently. She knew Ethan too well—when he made a decision, there was no turning back. If he said the surgery would happen tomorrow, then every detail had already been arranged.

Her fingers trembled as she snatched her phone from the nightstand. Without hesitation, she dialed Eleanor’s number, her lifeline in this nightmare.

The call ended abruptly.

Before she could take another breath, the door creaked open. A woman in her late forties slipped inside, her presence as silent as a shadow.

Vanessa’s blood ran cold the moment their eyes met.

Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

The woman smiled—a slow, chilling curve of her lips.

"Hello, Vanessa," she murmured. "Did you really think you could escape?"

Vanessa’s knees buckled.

She knew that voice.

She knew that face.

And she knew—with terrifying certainty—that she was out of time.

Secret Devotion: A Love Beyond Bars (Evelyn Carter) novel