As I left the hospital room, I told myself I needed to give Grandpa and Grandma some space. They had only just reunited after all that chaos, and the last thing I wanted was to linger and make everyone uncomfortable—especially with Vincent standing right there.

I didn’t bother to look at him when I turned away. My heels clicked softly against the quiet corridor floors, echoing in my ears like faint heartbeats. I just wanted to breathe freely, away from the piercing gaze that followed me everywhere.

I wandered down the corridor, trying to steady my thoughts, when a sudden impulse took hold of me. Maybe it was the quiet hum of the hospital lights or the faint flutter I felt in my lower abdomen—but I found myself heading toward the obstetrics department.

I’d been meaning to check. The worry had been gnawing at me since that night in the cell—the fear that the stress, the lack of food, or the endless crying had somehow harmed the tiny life within me.

When the doctor finally handed me the results, my palms were damp. She smiled kindly and said,

“Mrs… Jessica Howard. You need to rest more, eat properly, and avoid overthinking. Depression or exhaustion might affect your babies health.”

Her words hit me like a warm yet fragile wind. My throat tightened. I nodded quickly, muttering a faint, “Thank you.”

As I stepped out, clutching the small white envelope to my chest, a thousand emotions swirled inside me—fear, relief, and a strange, aching tenderness.

I was still lost in thought when a familiar deep voice broke the air.

“Alice.”

My body went rigid.

No. Not here.

I turned, and there he was—Vincent. Standing tall at the end of the hallway, his sharp features soft under the hospital light, eyes fixed on me. My breath hitched. The document nearly slipped from my hand.

Before I could hide it, I slipped the paper behind my back, gripping it tightly. He started walking toward me, each stride measured and steady.

“Alice, wait,” he said, reaching out.

I stepped aside, avoiding his gaze.

“Vincent, we’re just a contract couple,” I said, my tone cold but my voice trembling slightly. “There’s nothing left for us to talk about.”

I tried to move past him, but his hand came up, lightly catching my shoulder—not rough, not forceful, but enough to make my heart pound.

“Listen to me,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

For a moment, the sincerity in his voice almost made me falter. But I remembered the cell walls, the cold nights, the humiliation. I stared at him blankly.

“You don’t need to apologize, Vincent. It’s all in the past.”

He shook his head, his jaw tightening.

“There’s no need for you to rush back to work. Just… take care of yourself.”

His eyes flickered briefly toward my stomach, though I knew he didn’t understand—didn’t suspect anything.

I met his gaze evenly, my voice soft but firm.

“I’ve made my decision. I’ll resume work as soon as possible.”

Then, without another word, I shrugged off his grip and walked away. My heels clacked sharply down the corridor, but my heart thudded even louder. I could still feel his gaze burning into my back, heavy and unreadable.

Outside, I inhaled deeply, my chest tight as I hailed a cab.

“That was close…” I whispered to myself, pressing my palm against my racing heart.

The driver glanced at me through the mirror.

“Everything okay, ma’am?”

I forced a small smile.

“Yes. Everything’s fine.”

As the cab pulled away from the hospital, I rested my head against the seat, closing my eyes. My fingers brushed the envelope in my bag, and I murmured faintly,

“Thank God I didn’t use my real name and details.”

But then another thought crept in, sharp and unwanted.

What if he investigates? What if he finds out?

I shook my head.

“No… he won’t. He doesn’t care about me anymore,” I whispered to myself.

Still, a hollow ache lingered in my chest.

---

Meanwhile, back at the hospital.Vincent stood silently in the corridor, his brows knitted. The faint scent of Alice’s perfume still lingered in the air.

“What was she doing in the obstetrics department?”

“Sir,” his assistant, Noah , approached carefully. “We made inquiries like you asked. The nurses said no one named Alice Markston or Alice Kingston came to the obstetrics department today.”

Vincent’s eyes darkened slightly.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, sir,” Noah replied, nodding quickly.

Vincent rubbed his temple. “Alright… let it go for now. How’s the design project going?”

Noah hesitated, glancing at the files in his hand.

“Boss, their designs can’t match Ms. Alice’s drafts. The investors are waiting. If we don’t deliver soon, we might lose the deal.”

Vincent’s expression hardened. His voice was calm but firm.

“Alice said she’ll resume work soon. How long can we hold the project?”

“A week at most,” Noah said.

Vincent exhaled, his eyes drifting toward the window where the city lights shimmered faintly below.

“Prepare my flight. We’ll head to headquarters tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the assistant turned to leave, Vincent added quietly,

“And tell the bodyguards to leave. I want to be alone.”

The guards exchanged nervous glances.

“But sir—”

“I said leave .”

His tone left no room for argument. The guards bowed slightly and disappeared down the hallway.

Left alone, Vincent’s gaze lingered on the corridor where Alice had walked away earlier. A muscle in his jaw twitched.

“Why did she look so tense?”

“What was she hiding?”

He closed his eyes briefly, then turned away, his heart unexpectedly heavy.