22:34 Thu, Dec 12 TO
Chapter 11
白蚁冷 55%)
With a loud bang, pain shot through my back like a lightning strike, tearing straight through to my heart.
I gasped, my whole body trembling. The searing ache in my back was nothing compared to the sting of betrayal burning in my chest.
I lifted my gaze to meet Quinn’s eyes, my expression hard, defiant. I couldn’t stop the biting sarcasm in my voice. “So, it’s fine for you to have your childhood sweetheart, but I can’t have close childhood friend?”
“Natalia!” Quinn’s face darkened instantly. His hand gripped my shoulder with a force that nearly knocked the air out of me. The pressure was suffocating-
His muscles, built from years of working out, rendered any attempt to escape pointless. But I didn’t even bother to fight it anymor
I stared him down, my voice steady and cold. “If you’re just worried about your reputation and need a better excuse for a divorce, just say so. But leave innocent people out of it.”
His eyes narrowed dangerously, his jaw tightening as if to say something. But before he could speak, the shrill ringtone of his phone sliced through the tension in the air.
The screen flashed with the name “Diana,” and it was like a match tossed into a barrel of gasoline–fueling the fire of my fury. My chest heaved, my breath coming in shallow gasps as the anger I’d been holding back exploded to the surface.
“Get out of my way!” I shoved him aside, storming out of the room without a second glance.
For years. I’d humbled myself before him, bending over backward to win his heart, naively thinking my sincerity could melt even the hardest heart.
But now, standing in the aftermath of all my efforts, I finally understood the truth: it was all a fantasy. I’d been lying to myself all along.
Quinn didn’t love me. Not once, not ever. Every smile I gave him, every sacrifice, every ounce of devotion I poured into this relationship–it meant nothing to him.
In the NICU, standing close to the incubator, I stared at my baby’s tiny, delicate face, and for the first time in what felt like forever, a wave of calm washed over me.
The nurse on duty mentioned that I could visit twice a day now While I couldn’t hold him or kiss him yet, just seeing him- alive and breathing–felt like a miracle.
That afternoon, Raelynn came to the hospital with flowers and a basket of fruit. “How’s it going. Ms. Hinton? How long until you’re out of here?” she asked, her voice full of genuine concern
“Not too much longer, I think,” I replied, giving her a teasing smile. “What’s with the visit? Getting swamped without me? Came to drag me back to work already?”
Raelynn gasped, feigning shock. ‘Do I look that heartless? I could work around the clock and still make sure your stuff gets done. You know that!
Her playful exaggeration made me laugh. I took the fruit she’d peeled and we chatted casually, the tension of the past few days lifting for a moment.
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But Raelynn seemed off. I figured maybe she was just getting bored, so I suggested, “It’s getting late. You should head home and get some rest.”
She didn’t budge. Instead, she looked at me, her face filled with hesitation, like she was wrestling with something hard to say.
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55%%%
Thu, Dec 12
Chapter 11
Finally, she bit her lip and asked quietly, “Ms. Hinton, are you planning to divorce Mr. Madden?”
I froze, completely caught off guard by the question.
When I didn’t answer right away, Raelynn’s anxiety grew. “Ms. Hinton, I know this isn’t really my place, but I’ve been working for you for years. You’ve always treated me like family, and I just… I feel like I need to say something.
“If you’re planning to divorce Mr. Madden, okay, but don’t just let that woman take your son from you. She doesn’t deserve
Her words hit me hard, like a punch to the gut. “What are you talking about?” I asked, completely confused.
Raelynn quickly pulled out her phone, opening Diana’s Instagram. “Look at this,” she said, showing me the screen. It was a simple post–just a series of baby photos with the caption: [Welcome to the world, little angel]
I didn’t even need to look twice. The baby in those pictures was unmistakably my son.
Raelynn pointed to one of the images, her face twisted with rage “Look! She posted a picture with your name clearly visible on the incubator don’t know if she’s trying to rub it in your face or just show off, but it’s disgusting!”
The blood in my veins ran cold as my head swam with fury. How did Diana get her hands on pictures of my son? How did she even get into the ICU?
Quinn. It had to be him. He must’ve brought her there.
The thought hit me like a punch to the chest. I felt lightheaded, my body trembling with anger. Raclynn’s voice became a dull hum in the background, her words barely reaching me.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity. I managed to steady my breathing. “I understand. Thank you, Raelynn. I just need some time alone now.”
Raelynn gave me a concerned glance but nodded, quietly stepping out and closing the door behind her.
My chest tightened with pain. I grabbed my phone, hands trembling, as I dialed Quinn’s number. The line barely rang twice before I abruptly hung up.
The truth was crystal clear. What was there left to say? Could I accuse him of betrayal? Beg for some explanation?
None of it mattered anymore. The silence in my apartment felt deafening as I sank further into my despair.
Then my phone buzzed in my hand. Quinn was calling me back His voice was flat, like he was talking to a stranger. “What’s going on, Natalia?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, barely holding on to whatever composure I had left. “Did you take Diana to see our son?” There was a pause, brief, but enough to make the air feel thick with tension. Then he responded, “She was upset after the accident. She came by for a follow–up yesterday and asked to see him. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
His explanation was exactly what I expected, but hearing it out loud didn’t make the betrayal any easier to swallow.
“You honestly believe this was just an accident?” I asked, my voice trembling with emotion.
“Natalla, Quinn said, his tone as steady as ever, the fact that you and the baby are safe is all that matters now.” His words were like a sharp knife twisting deeper into my chest.
“Don’t lie to me, Quinn” My volce cut through the silence, sharp with anger. “If you truly believed it was just an accident, you wouldn’t feel the need to explain yourself
I paused, letting the words sink in, then a bitter laugh escaped my lips. So, look at that. You can actually feel guilty after all.”
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22.34
Chapter II
Quinn had always been the type to hold his cards close to his chest–proud, cold, and never one to explain himself.
But the defensiveness in his voice now… it told me everything. He knew exactly what had happened, and that only confirmed what I’d feared all along.
“Natalia!” His voice sharpened, frustration cutting through the tension. “You think you’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?”
I braced myself for another round of insults, the usual put–downs, or maybe even a harsh remark.
But instead, I heard something I never thought I’d hear he let out a quiet, almost imperceptible sigh before abruptly hanging up.
The silence that followed was deafening.
The afternoon passed in a blur. I couldn’t bring myself to eat the meal the nurse had brought. Instead, I curled up in bed, my mind racing in a million directions.
Quinn was trying to take my son from me–no question about it And I couldn’t just sit back and let it happen. But what the hell could I do?
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even hear Aiden come in during his evening rounds. “Natalia, why aren’t you eating?” His voice was soft, pulling me back from the spiraling thoughts in my head.
I looked up into his concerned eyes, his hand gently pressing to my forehead. “Are you feeling okay?”
I hesitated, my gaze lingering on his white coat, as an idea started to take root. My fingers gripped the sleeve of his coat, and I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice, Aiden, I need your help. But what I’m about to ask… it might put you in a tough
spot
He gave me a warm smile, reassuring and steady. “Whatever it is, Natalia, if I can do it, I will. No matter what it costs.”
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