Chapter 18%
The sound of the hospital monitor beeped steadily, grounding me as I opened my eyes. My body ached, but my first instinct was to place a hand over my stomach.8
“The baby,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
“You’re both fine, Preston said softly, sitting by my side, his hand gripping mine. “The baby is safe. But you need to rest.”)
I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me. But the memory of the mall–being grabbed, the gunfire–still lingered in my mind.
“What happened?” I asked, my voice hoarse.
Preston’s expression hardened. “We investigated it. The police said it was a hold–up. You were just unlucky, Zoe. Wrong place, wrong lime.
His words didn’t sit right with me. Something about the entire incident felt. off.B
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “That wasn’t random, Preston. It felt like more than that.“8
Preston frowned, studying me. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I don’t believe it was a coincidence,” I said firmly. “Someone wanted to hurt me. I’m sure of it.
Preston exhaled, his jaw tightening “If that’s what you think, it have it reinvestigated. But for now, you need to focus on resting.”
“I don’t want to be alone. Ladmitted, my voice cracking slightly.
“You won’t be.” Preston said, leaning closer. I’ve stationed bodyguards outside your room. And I’m not going anywhere. I promise.
The days that followed were slow and nerve–wracking.
The doctors insisted on keeping me in the hospital. My pregnancy was fragile, and they wanted to monitor me closely. Preston was always by my side, making sure I had everything I needed.
But at night, when the room grew quiet, the fear crept back in.3
I thought about the baby, about everything I had fought so hard to build. I thought about the chaos I had left behind–and how it always seemed to find me again.
Preston would sit beside me, holding my hand whenever I got lost in my thoughts. “We’ll get through this, he’d say, his voice steady and reassuring.
And I believed him.
A few days later, one of Preston’s staff entered my hospital room.}
“We’ve been reviewing the CCTV footage from the mall,” he said, glancing at Preston
“And?” Preston asked, his voice sharp.
The staff member hesitated. It wasn’t random. Madison was spotted in the area. She seemed to be keeping an eye on Zoe. We believe she orchestrated the attack.”
The blood drained from my face
“Madison?” I whispered, my stomach twisting.
“She wanted revenge,” the man continued. “It’s clear this wasn’t just about money. She’s trying to hurt you, Zoe.“%
Preston stood, his posture tense. “I want her found. Now. And I want this information shared with the media. She needs to know she can’t
hide from this.”
The man nodded, quickly leaving the room to carry out the orders.
I sat there, frozen, as Preston returned to my side.
“Zoe,” he said gently, crouching beside me. “I’ll handle this. You don’t need to worry about her.”
“But I thought it was over 1 said, my voice shaking. “I thought Travis was the last of it.”
Preston took my hands in his. “She’s desperate. She has nothing left. People like her don’t know how to let go. But she’s not going to hurt you I won’t let her
That same evening, as I sat in bed trying to calm my nerves, a nurse entered the room carrying a small package.
“This was delivered for you, she said, placing it on the bedside table!!
Preston and I exchanged a look before he reached for it, opening it carefully.
The moment the lid lifted, a metallic smell hit me, and my stomach churned
Inside was baby clothes filled with blood
Next to it was a piece of paper with a message scrawled in red ink li
You ruined me. So I’m going to take everything from you
Madison
I felt my breath hatch, my chest tightening as panic set in
Preston slammed the box shut, his face dark with fury “That’s it,” he growled. “She’s going to pay for this.”
I couldn’t speak, my mind spinning as I stared at the closed box
y mind
Not long after the package arrived, the television in my hospital room flickered to life. I wasn’t paying much attention at first, my still reeling from Madison’s threat
12:32 PM c
“Billionaire Preston Urie caught in scandal,” the anchor announced, her voice sharp and dramatic.
I froze, my eyes snapping to the screen.
Photos began flashing across the television. Preston, smiling, standing close to a woman with long dark hair!!
And then the next image stopped my heart.8
He was kissing her.
It wasn’t just a friendly p something to him
or an innocent moment taken out of context. It was intimate, his hand cupping her face as it
if she meant
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head, my pulse racing.
I turned to Preston, who was sitting beside me, his face suddenly pale.
What is the meaning of this?” I asked, my voice trembling as I gestured toward the screen.
