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Chapter 20
He remembered that day–him half–kneeling, head against her shoulder, his usual composure completely shattered as silent tears soaked her shirt.
Amelia had gently stroked his hair, softly patting his back, soothing his vulnerability.
That day she’d said: “Don’t be afraid, Nathan.“[]
“The family said a wedding might bring good luck for Grandpa. I’ll come back with you.“[]
“Even if Grandpa… Nathan, you still have me.’
:“0
He could almost still smell her perfume–in all those sad memories, it was the only comforting scent he remembered.
“Nathan…”
Her voice seemed to echo in his ears–happy times, sad times, gentle moments, shy moments…]
The last time was just now, her soft call from the stairwell.[]
His brow furrowed suddenly. He felt afraid.]
“Nathan,” Vivian’s voice came again as she squeezed his hand. “What’s wrong?”
Nathan looked up to see pale, fragile Vivian in front of him.[]
Reality returned.
He turned away and closed his eyes. “Nothing.“]
He pulled his hand from Vivian’s and started the car.[]
“Harper’s at the hospital. Amelia will be fine.”
Nathan calmly watched the road ahead, expertly driving the Aston Martin out of the parking garage onto the highway.
“I’ll take you home.”
Vivian smiled slightly. “Okay.“[]
At the hospital, people rushed in and out of the trauma bay while Harper waited anxiously outside.]
She was a gynecologist who’d performed surgeries before, but she was too emotionally distraught to operate on her best friend.[]
Thankfully, she’d arranged for blood supplies in advance. But she didn’t know Amelia’s current condition.
After losing so much blood, could the baby still be saved?
Her mind was chaotic. She didn’t trust her own judgment and could only wait for results.[]
Tap tap tap…]
Footsteps approached. Harper looked up to see her older brother, Caspian Lopez.]
“Caspian!” Harper threw herself into his arms, her fragile composure crumbling again.]
“I hurt Mia,” she sobbed. “What am I going to do…”
Caspian sighed softly, patting his sister’s back. “I got the details on my way over. Don’t panic. Let me check on her first.“[]
Chapter 20
“Harper, if you don’t trust anyone else, at least trust your brother.“]
The Lopez family were medical royalty. As the eldest son, Caspian was naturally a surgical genius. Though not primarily in gynecology, he was skilled across many specialties.
“Yes, yes.” Harper immediately straightened up, wiping her tears. “Go quickly!“]
Caspian smiled, wiping the tears his sister had missed, then changed into scrubs and entered the trauma bay.
Shortly after he went in, alarms began blaring from the medical equipment.[]
“Patient’s heart rate dropping rapidly! Prepare the defibrillator!“]
“Get the family–we need someone to sign the critical condition notice.”
Chaos erupted in the trauma bay.[]
Meanwhile, the Aston Martin stopped outside Vivian’s apartment building.
Inside the car, Vivian discreetly studied Nathan’s profile.
Nathan was always good at hiding his emotions, keeping his feelings locked away. In business, countless opponents with top–tier teams had failed to read his intentions.
During Harrison Industries‘ critical transition period, he’d led every strategic decision. Successfully pivoting from traditional manufacturing to cutting–edge technology, eventually dominating the industry–Nathan’s abilities were proven, not theoretical.[]
Vivian didn’t expect to completely control Nathan. She just needed to outmaneuver Amelia, and that would be enough.[]
Like now–Amelia was in the hospital while Vivian sat in Nathan’s passenger seat.]
“We’re here,” Vivian said when Nathan just continued tapping the steering wheel without moving.
“Mm.” Nathan acknowledged but made no other move.
Vivian considered, then said shyly, “Aren’t you going to walk me up?“]
She was inviting him to her apartment. The adult implication was clear.[]
Nathan stopped tapping and looked at her. He didn’t speak immediately, just studied her face.
This made Vivian nervous.
J
After about three seconds, he said, “I’m tired tonight.“[]
Vivian nodded understandingly without saying anything else.[]
The awkwardness hung between them.
“Go on up,” Nathan said. “Get some rest.“]
“Okay.” Vivian nodded.
Finally, Nathan walked her to the elevator.]
7
As the elevator rose, Vivian returned to her apartment. From her window, she watched Nathan walk back to his car, a flash of satisfaction in her eyes.
She thought back to her actions after receiving news of Amelia’s pregnancy earlier that evening.[]
four hours ago, 8 PM, at Vivian Hope Floral Studio:[]
Vivian had suddenly stood up, startling her fake nurse, who couldn’t understand why Vivian had gone from satisfied to furious so quickly.
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Chapter 20
But the woman didn’t dare ask, just watched as Vivian made a phone call after some deliberation.
“Yes, it’s me, Vivian. I need you to do something for me.”
“Don’t ask why. If you care about me at all, you’ll do this.”
“Yes, I’m with Nathan now, but so what? Didn’t you tell me you loved me?“[]
“If you love me, you’ll do this for me.“]
After hanging up, Vivian’s eyes flashed with malice.[]
Nathan liked children. After being together this long, she knew his preferences.
Although Nathan and Amelia had filed papers, they were still in the cooling–off period.[]
During the thirty–day period, if either party changed their mind, they could withdraw the application and remain married.]
If Nathan knew Amelia was pregnant, the divorce might fail.[]
She’d worked so hard to get them to file those papers. She couldn’t let this happen.[]
Just then, Vivian’s phone buzzed with two messages.
One from the person she’d just called: Okay, I agree. I’ll do it.[]
One from Nathan replying to her earlier message about meeting him after work: Okay.[]
Then at 8:45 PM, she’d left her studio, with pre–arranged paparazzi capturing her every move.[]
All the subsequent trending topics and media coverage had been orchestrated by her.[]
Watching the Aston Martin drive away below, Vivian smiled coldly.[]
“Think you can keep him with a baby? I won’t let you have your way.“[]
“In three days, the ‘Voice of Heaven‘ premiere will be the beginning of your nightmare.“[]
“You’ll lose everything, and I’ll take it all.“[]
“You can’t beat me, Amelia!
Back at Mount Sinai, Harper had been waiting outside the trauma bay for what felt like hours when she finally heard movement.[]
Seeing the doors open, she shot to her feet.
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