Chapter 7
The blood on Sebastian’s fingertips was so bright and thick that it made his breath go shallow,
- “Mom’s not going to die, right?”
Xavier, standing beside him, noticed. Even at six, he understood death. His lace went pale as he turned to Sebastian “7
The word die twisted Sebastian’s expression into something dark and terrifying. He didn’t think before snarling, “Shut up!”
His deep–set eyes looked like pure ice.
Xavier flinched, retreating until his back hit Penelope. “Aunt Penny…”
Sebastian had never yelled at him before.
Penelope was about to tell Sebastian to go easier on Xavier. But one look at his story expression, and the words stuck in her throat
Instead, she brushed a soothing hand over Xavier’s hair, her eyes cutting to the ER status light, sharp and venomous.
How could Julia suddenly be bleeding? How could this happen? Was Julia pregnant again?
For years, Penelope had believed Julia would eventually fade away if she quietly took Julia’s place beside Sebastian.
Lately, she’d gone out of her way to make Julia think something was going on between her and Sebastian. No matter how much Penelope prodded or twisted the truth, Sebastian always backed her up
It made her sure he was finally finished with Julia, that “haggard old wife of his.
But now…
She watched Sebastian’s face, tight with tension. His eyes never left the ER doors, his expression so raw with fear he didn’t even blink.
Penelope’s eyes narrowed at the blood staining Sebastian’s sult
Pregnant? Now, of all times?
Even if Julia really were, Penelope wouldn’t let her keep that baby. Sebastian belonged to her, and the title of “Mrs. Holt” would be hers alone.
Sebastian’s gaze kopt darting to the ER status light, his stomach dropping with every second. It reminded him too much of six years ago–waiting in this same suffocating dread while Julia delivered Xavier.
Then it hit him-
He rubbed the dried blood between his fingers, suddenly recalling Julia’s recent nausea. His chest constricted. The signs were identical to her first pregnancy.
Sebastian was seconds away from snapping when the ER status light finally flicked off. Soon, the doors swung open. A tearn of nurses rolled Julia out on
He was at her side in an instant. Her face was ghostly white. She barely looked at him before turning her head away.
Doctor, my wife-
“The patient…” The doctor started, but Julia shot him a pleading look. He furrowed his brow, continuing, “She’s stable, but as her husband, you should be more careful with her allergens going forward!”
Without another word, the doctor shoved his hands in his pockets and walked off. Only one nurse stayed behind, steering fulla’s gurney down the hallway toward her room.
Sebastien followed her straight to the hospital room. He found Julia with her eyes closed, clearly ignoring him, and hesitated before aslding, “Lia, are you pregnant again?”
He held out his hand, fingertips stained with dark red blood.
Julia opened her eyes to meet Sebastian’s sharp gaze, his face tight with suspicion.
“No,” she muttered.
That was all she gave him–just one flat, dismissive word after his long wait. His frown deepened. Then where did this blood come from?” “It’s my period.”
Julia wasn’t in the mood for this. The aftereffects of her allergic reaction had left her drained, and Sebastian’s relentless questions only grated on her
nerves.
was funny how he suddenly cared so much
With a bitter laugh, she turned away, giving him her back Surely he’d take the hint and leave her alone.
But instead, he circled the bed to face her again. “Just your period? Then explain the nausea and vomiting you’ve had for days.”
Julià closed her eyes, shutting him out for good.
Sebastian approached her, ready to lift her into his arms. “Let’s get you that pregnancy checkup-”
“Sebastian!” Julia shoved him away, her voice sharp with anger. “Will you only be happy once you’ve tortured me to d
death? Penelope had been eavesdropping by the door with Xavier for a while now. The moment she heard Sebastian bring up the checkup, she couldn’t stay out of it any longer. She tugged Xavier inside.
“Mr. Holt, Jules might just be on her period. Her mood swings lately could be from PMS.”
Penelope was positive Julia wasn’t pregnant. If Julia were, she’d have been thrilled at the idea of a checkup. After all, she’d spent years throwing herself at Sebastian
Penelope didn’t understand why Julia was making such a big deal out of nothing, but she was perfectly content to sit back and enjoy the show.
Thanks to Penelope’s interruption, Sebastian dropped the subject.
He wondered if her nausea and vomiting in front of him had been an act all along. Now, the moment he suggested taking her to a prenatal checkup, her panic only proved she knew her take pregnancy would be exposed.
Sebastian’s expression darkened further. She’d gone too far this tim
His words, came sharp and immediate. “If you’re fine, then get discharged. I’m not wasting any more time here with you.
The nurse cut in quickly. “Sir, your wife really shouldn’t be discharged yet. It would be better if she-”
Julia shook her head, stopping her mid–sentence. “I’ll be fine. I can rest at home just as well”
She managed a weak smile of thanks, but her face was still deathly pale, the effort only making her look more fragile.
Once she’d changed back into her clothes, she walked straight out of the hospital room. Sebastian, already impatient, was several steps ahead.
Penelope’s gaze flickered with something unreadable. She purposely sent Xavier ahead and hung back
Flashing the nurse a bright smile, she asked, “Excuse me, is my sister pregnant?”
Her smile was kind and innocent, but the nurse had seen enough to know exactly what Penelope was–probably the mistress of the man who’d just stormed off.
Shooting her a withering look, the nurse turned and walked away without a word.
A flash of rage twisted Penelope’s face before she controlled it,
Julia returned to the Holt residence and went straight up to her room, barely registering Xavier as he asked Penelope what they should have for dinner.
A dull ache settled in Julia’s chest. Not once since she’d fainted had he spared her even a word of concern.
The next morning, her body wake her up on schedule, despite the lingering heaviness in her limbs. Out of habit, she dragged herself out of bed to make Xavier’s breakfast, just like she’d done every morning for years.
Even though she’d made up her mind to leave, she was determined to see her duties through to the end
Out when she finally made it downstairs, she found Sebastian, Xavier, and Penelope already at the table, eating breakfast without her.
Sebastian caught sight of the blisters on Penelope’s hand and Immediately said, “You shouldn’t be doing these chores. Julia can handle them.”
Julia felt a twinge in her chest before Penelope replied, “It’s fine. Jules isn’t feeling well, so I don’t mind pitching in.”
Julia bit back a bitter laugh.
Since when was she the designated cool for all of them?
Her eyes flicked to Penelope’s soft, perfect hands, Wasn’t this the same person who’d once gotten teary telling Julia how she used to cook for her whole family as a kid, balancing on step stools just to reach the counter?
And now, after what, scrambling a few eggs? Suddenly, she had battle wounds, and Sebastian was acting like she was some porcelain doll who’d never worked a day in her life.
- ip. She glanced at the screen–there w
were 12 days left on the countdown.
Julia turned her back without another word. Her phone buzzed faintly in her grip. 1 With a quick flick of her thumb, she dialed a number she hadn’t called in forever. “Mr. Mille-”
