CHAPTER 29%
Six months later, I stood in my fashion house, watching with pride as customers checked through my latest collection “Mrs. Blackwood, what do you think of this one? A customer held up an emerald green evening gown against her body
I smiled. “It complements your complexion beautifully. But may I suggest. I reached for a slightly darker shade. This would bring out your eyes even more”
The woman gasped as she saw herself in the mirror. “Its perfect! I’ll take it”
As I completed the sale, I spotted Mia helping another customer with accessories. She caught my eye and hurried over
“You look exhausted,” she whispered. “Should you be on your feet this much?“.
I patted my swollen belly. I’m fine. The doctor said walking is good for me.”
Mia rolled her eyes, “Walking, yes. Running a business while eight months pregnant? Probably not what he meant.”
Before I could respond, I glanced at my watch and gasped. “My check–up! I completely forgot”
“Gol” Mia pushed me toward the door. “111 handle everything here.”
I grabbed my purse and keys as quickly as my pregnant body would allow “You’re late for your own baby shower preparations too,” I reminded her
“Til be there, don’t worry. Now go before Dr. Phillips sends a search party!”
Outside, I eased myself into my car, adjusting the seat to accommodate my belly. Just as I started the engine, my phone rang. Dominic name flashed on the screen.
“Hey I answered.
“Where are you?” Dominic’s voice was tense.X
“Heading to my appointment. Why?“%
“Turn on the news,” he commanded. “Clara escaped from the mental health facility this moming.”
My blood ran cold. “What? How?;
“They’re still investigating, but that’s not all, Dominic continued “Lucas broke out of prison last night. No one’s seen him since Just as he said this, a news alert flashed across my car’s dashboard screen: “BREAKING: Clara Matthews escapes custody. Lucas Stone still at large after prison break“%
“Evelyn, don’t go anywhere alone, Dominic warned. Tm sending security to meet you at the doctor’s office
“Til be fine,” I assured him, though my heart was racing. The hospital is only ten minutes away”
Tm on my way there now,” he said: “Just be careful.”
I ended the call and pressed harder on the accelerator. A sharp pain shot through my abdomen, making me gasp. The baby was kicking more forcefully than ever
By the time I pulled into the hospital parking lot, the contractions had started. I managed to park the car and got out when I spotted a familiar figure standing near the entrance.
Clara
She looked nothing like the confident woman I remembered. Most alarmingly, she held three knives, one in each hand and another tucked Into her belt
“Hello, Evelyn. Looks like I’m just in time for the birth
I backed away slowly. “Clara, please. Think about what you’re doing “X
“Oh, I’ve had plenty of time to think.” She stepped closer. “Six months in that hellhole, with nothing but my thoughts and the memory of everything you took from me.”
“I didn’t take anything from you,” I said, trying to keep her talking while I looked for an escape route. “You lost everything because of your own actions.”%
Clara laughed bitterly. “Always so righteous. You stole Lucas from me, tumed him against me. And now look at you–pregnant, successful, married to the Alpha King.
Another contraction hit, stronger this time, I winced but struggled to stay upright!
“Clara,” I gasped through the pain, “please. This is between us. My baby is innocent”
“Just like my baby was?” Her eyes filled with tears. The baby I lost because of Lucas? Because of you?”
“I’m sorry about your baby,” I said sincerely. “I never wanted that to happen.“2-
“It’s too late for sorry,” she snarled, raising one of the knives
She lunged forward. I tried to dodge but my pregnant body was too slow. I closed my eyes and was bracing for the impact.
But it never came
Instead, I heard a grunt of pain. When I opened my eyes, Lucas stood between us but the knife was in his chest.
Clara stumbled back in shock. “Luces? What have I done?”
“Evelyn…” He collapsed to his knees.
Despite everything he’d done, I knelt beside him. “Why?“%
11:22 AM
“I couldn’t… let her hurt you. Our child… deserves a chance.”
His eyes found mine. “I accept the rejection. I’m sorry… for everything.”
Clara stood frozen, staring at the bloody knife in her hand. “Lucas? Lucas, get up.”
When he didn’t move, she turned the blade on herself and sliced it into her own throat before I could even cry out!
Security guards rushed forward, surrounding Clara as she dropped to the ground. In the commotion, I barely noticed Dominic arrive, rushing to my side.
“Evelyn!” He pulled me into his arms, away from Lucas.!
One of them looked up and shook his head. Lucas and Clara were gone for good
Another contraction, stronger than before now tore through me. I cried out in pain
“She’s in labor!” Dominic shouted, lifting me into his arms. 8
Hours later, exhausted but elated, I held our daughter in my arms. She had my eyes and Lucas’s nose, but when she looked up at me, I saw only innocence and hope.
“She’s beautiful,” Dominic whispered, stroking her tiny cheek. “What should we name her?”
“Hope.” I said without hesitation. Because that’s what she represents.”
Dominic kissed my forehead. “Hope Blackwood. Perfect.”
My grandparents and Mia crowded into the room, cooing over the baby and congratulating us. As they took tums holding Hope, Dominic took my hand.
“I was thinking,” he said softly, maybe we should have a proper wedding.”
I raised an eyebrow Proper? Our first one wasn’t proper enough for you?”
He chuckled. “That was an arrangement, a contract. I want to give you the wedding you deserve–one filled with love, not strategies and revenge.“X
Tears filled my eyes as I nodded. Td like that very much
Three months later, I stood at the end of an aisle decorated with blue roses–the flowers Dominic had secretly sent me every birthday. My grandmother adjusted my veil while Mia fussed over my train.
“You look beautiful,” my grandfather said, offering his arm to walk me down the aisle.)
As the music began, I saw Dominic waiting for me, his silver–blue eyes shining with love. Hope, dressed in a tiny white dress giggled in my grandmother’s arms as we passed,
When I reached Dominic, he took my hands in his, squeezing them gently. “You came back to me,” he whispered |
“I’ll always come back to you I promised
As we exchanged our vows, I thought about the journey that had brought us here but had finally found a love I never thought possible.
“I love you,” Dominic said as he slipped the ring onto my finger.
“I love you too,” I replied “Always and forever.”
Life had finally given me my happily ever after, and it was sweeter than could have ever imagined.
