Chapter 648

The moment Alexander turned away, Isabella's lips twisted into a smug smirk, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

But as soon as she lifted her head, her expression melted into pitiful vulnerability. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "I'm terrified being here alone. Please... don't leave me."

Alexander's jaw tightened, but with the medical team due to arrive soon, he reluctantly sank back into the chair.

He reached for his phone on the table.

Isabella's breath hitched.

Had he noticed she'd answered his call earlier?

Her pulse steadied when she saw him scrolling through emails instead of checking his call log.

Not wanting to arouse suspicion, she forced a weak smile. "Alexander, why are you so quiet? What are you thinking about?"

"Work."

Lately, his responses to her had been clipped and indifferent, barely more than a word or two.

Though it stung, Isabella knew better than to push.

She settled back against the hospital pillows, playing the role of the perfect, fragile patient.

Three days of bed rest had left her muscles stiff and aching. Even her backside felt numb.

How much longer would she have to keep up this charade?

Faking blindness was proving far more exhausting than she'd anticipated.

Evelyn left the hospital in a daze, completely unaware of Vanessa standing nearby.

It was Vanessa's scheduled prenatal appointment, and Eleanor had sent two maids to accompany her.

Noticing Evelyn's pale complexion, Vanessa instinctively moved toward her—only for the maids to block her path.

"Madam's orders—the baby's health comes first. Please don't involve yourself in unnecessary trouble."

These maids were Eleanor's most trusted attendants. Vanessa bit her lip, knowing it was pointless to argue.

She proceeded to the obstetrics department for her ultrasound, the maids hovering outside the door.

"The baby remains significantly larger than average," the doctor remarked, frowning at the screen.

"You're overindulging. If this continues, delivery will be complicated. There's also an increased risk of premature labor."

Vanessa scowled. Every visit, the same lecture—yet she barely ate anything!

This was a critical screening for congenital abnormalities, so the doctor took extra time.

At first, Vanessa didn't think much of it—until the doctor's expression darkened.

He called in a senior colleague, then another.

The three physicians murmured in hushed tones, pointing at the monitor, their medical jargon incomprehensible to her.

A cold dread settled in Vanessa's stomach.

She finally blurted, "Is something wrong? Is my baby okay?"

"One moment, please," the doctor said, his tone grim.

The delay only amplified her panic.

Each passing second felt like a blade dangling above her head.

When the examination finally ended, Vanessa hastily adjusted her clothes. "Well? Tell me!"

"The baby's heart isn't developing properly. We strongly recommend termination. If carried to term, the child will face severe lifelong complications."

Vanessa's blood ran cold. "You mean... he could die at birth?"

"Survival isn't guaranteed. Even if he lives, he'll require multiple surgeries for congenital heart defects. He'll never lead a normal life—no sports, no strenuous activity."

Vanessa's hands trembled.

A child who couldn't run or play? Unthinkable!

No one in her family had heart disease. Why her baby?

"I've had two abortions and a miscarriage from an accident," she said hoarsely. "If I terminate this one... can I even get pregnant again?"

The doctor's startled pause was answer enough.

This pregnancy had been a miracle. Another termination might leave her barren.

"Is it a boy?" she demanded.

"Yes."

Vanessa's resolve hardened.

She would carry this child to term.

The Anistons had endless resources. Money could buy the best specialists.

And with Ethan growing colder by the day, this baby was her only hope of reclaiming his attention.

Losing it meant losing everything.

As night fell, Claire drove Evelyn to their college reunion.

Claire frowned at Evelyn's pallor. "You look awful. What happened?"

Evelyn forced a weak smile. "Just pregnancy fatigue. The baby's been restless."

"Maybe you should skip this," Claire suggested, eyeing Evelyn's barely concealed bump.

The oversized sweater hid it well, but Evelyn had been distant since leaving the hospital.

Staying home would only feed her misery—at least the reunion might distract her.

"I need this," Evelyn murmured.

Claire sighed. "Fine. But I'm sticking to you like glue."

Throughout the drive, Claire tried making small talk, but Evelyn remained withdrawn.

Something was definitely wrong.

"Did Alexander cheat on you?" Claire finally asked bluntly.

The dam broke.

Evelyn covered her face, sobbing. "I saw him kissing Isabella, Claire. Today was our first anniversary, and he forgot! And there he was, wrapped around another woman!"

Her voice cracked with raw pain.

Claire's heart ached for her.

Pulling into the venue's parking lot, Claire yanked Evelyn into a fierce hug.

"That bastard! But this doesn't sound like him. Are you sure it wasn't a misunderstanding?"

"I saw it with my own eyes!"

Claire wiped Evelyn's tears with a tissue. "Listen, you're gorgeous, brilliant, and loaded. You know what they say about these reunions—they're basically matchmaking events in disguise!"

"Go wild tonight! If he can fool around, so can you. Maybe it's time to find a new daddy for that baby. Show him what he's losing!"

Typical Claire.

After her own heartbreak, she'd adopted a devil-may-care attitude toward love.

But Evelyn wasn't so sure revenge was the answer.

Not when her heart was already shattered.