The next morning, at the hospital.

Sera Monroe clutched her phone tightly, lips pressed into a thin line.

She'd been trying to reach Elliot Monroe since last night, but he wasn't picking up.

It was almost eight now. If she didn't show up at Hotel Lumière on time, there was no way Madam Monroe would let her off easy. But… to actually follow through with their insane plan—to have a baby with Elliot Monroe?

Ha...

Just the thought made a bitter smile tug at her lips.

No matter how low she stooped, how much pride she threw away, what could she possibly do with a man who hated her this much? A man who'd rather have a kid with some woman on the side than even consider having one with her?

Still, Madam Monroe said she'd take care of everything. Elliot would definitely be at Hotel Lumière. Once she saw him… she'd talk to him. Really talk. About divorce.

With that thought, Sera finally changed out of her hospital gown and left for the hotel.

When she arrived, the room was still empty.

There were fifteen minutes left before eight.

She sat quietly and waited.

But maybe it was the injuries, or maybe something else—her whole body felt foggy and hot. Like she was burning up.

She stood up, planning to grab the remote and turn the A/C down.

She'd barely taken a few steps when everything spun around her. Her knees gave out, and she collapsed onto the bed.

"So hot…"

Was she running a fever?

Half-conscious, she heard the door open.

"Elliot…?"

She tried to focus, but all she could make out was a tall, broad silhouette stepping into the room.

The man sat beside her. She caught the scent of his cologne—familiar and comforting.

Then a cool compress landed gently on her forehead. It felt like heaven.

Sera let out a soft little sigh and nudged her head into it. "That feels nice…"

Something inside her just gave out. For the first time, she stopped pretending to be cold and tough. She let herself be weak. Vulnerable. She didn't want to keep faking dignity she'd already lost a long time ago.

She wrapped her arms around the man's body. "Don't go…"

"You asked for this."

She thought she heard a low voice, rough and strained.

Asked for what?

She didn't get it. But before she could think more, the last bit of her awareness slipped away.

Then everything changed.

He grabbed her like he couldn't hold back anymore, like he'd been starving for her. Pulled her into a storm she couldn't escape.

She felt like a tiny boat on wild waves, tossed and turned in every direction…

Her whole world went spinning.

When Sera finally woke up again, it was already the next day.

She blinked, confused, staring at the strange room. Then flashes from last night hit her like a freight train.

She'd… slept with Elliot?

Her face went ghost-white as she remembered how she'd felt all hot and dizzy out of nowhere. She didn't even need to ask—she already knew. Someone had planned this.

Now Elliot would think she was even more pathetic. More desperate. More disgusting.

Sera dragged her aching body out of bed, got dressed, and left the room.

She had just stepped into the elevator when she ran smack into someone she recognized.

Sloane Carter?

What the hell was she doing here?

Sera's eyes narrowed. But what shocked her even more was the man beside Sloane.

Sloane had her arm hooked around his, leaning into him like they were super close. Their body language screamed intimacy. And in a hotel, at this hour? It wasn't exactly subtle.

They didn't look like just friends. Not even close.

But… wasn't Sloane supposed to be pregnant with Elliot's baby?

Then what the hell was this?

Sloane clearly recognized her too. Even though they'd never officially met, Sera could tell the woman knew exactly who she was.

But Sloane didn't look even a little guilty. She just glanced at her, then turned away like nothing happened, laughing and chatting with the man beside her.

Sera didn't show any emotion on her face, but inside, she was flipping out.

Who the hell was that guy?

Did Elliot know about this?

Her phone suddenly buzzed, snapping her out of her daze.

A notification from Messenger. A Facebook link—from Chloe Lane.

She tapped it open. It was a post from Sloane Carter's PR team.

The statement claimed that Sloane and Elliot were just "close friends."

They explained that the two had only run into each other at the hospital by accident while Sloane was there for a check-up.

They even posted screenshots from security cameras proving they didn't arrive together. And they included Sloane's medical report to back it up.

At the end, they made it clear: Sloane Carter was single. No boyfriend. No baby daddy.

Sera just stood there, stunned.

So… she wasn't pregnant?

It was all just a misunderstanding?

Even though Sera had told herself over and over again that it didn't matter, that even if it wasn't Sloane there'd be someone else—some Blaire or whoever—her heart couldn't help swelling with hope.

For the first time in a long time, she actually wanted to talk to Elliot.

She wanted to ask him if what Sloane said in the news was true.

She wanted to tell him what really happened three years ago. That she had her reasons. That it wasn't what he thought…

She had so much to say.

She needed to see him. Now.

Just as she was about to call Elliot, a text popped up on her screen.

"It's been three years. I'm here to take back what's mine."