Chapter 15 - THE FIRST WARNING
The pain began at 4:26 in the morning.
At first, Vivian thought it was another wave of ordinary discomfort. Her lower back had ached throughout the night, and the baby had been unusually active.
Then the tightening came again.
Stronger.
Mara found her gripping the edge of the bathroom sink.
“Vivian?”
“I think something's wrong.”
Mara took one look at her face and reached for the phone.
Daniel drove them to a private maternity unit under the name Mara had arranged. The doctor examined Vivian and ordered monitoring.
The baby’s heartbeat filled the small room.
Fast. Steady. Beautiful.
Vivian began crying.
Dr. Patel adjusted the monitor.
“Your baby is alive and active. That's encouraging. But you're having contractions, and we need to understand why.”
“Is he coming?”
“Not necessarily. You're seven months pregnant. We want to prevent early labor if we can.”
Mara held Vivian's hand.
“Listen to the doctor. We'll handle everything else.”
The physician recommended observation, hydration, and medication to reduce the contractions. She also warned that stress could make the situation harder to manage.
Vivian looked at the ceiling.
She had left Matteo to protect herself and her son. Now the consequences of the escape were pressing against her body.
“I don't want him to grow up afraid,” she whispered.
“He won't,” Mara said.
A nurse entered with a clipboard.
“There's a visitor asking for you.”
Vivian's body stiffened.
“Who?”
The nurse checked the name.
“Camille Hale.”
Vivian stared at her.
“Don't let her in.”
The nurse nodded and left.
A few minutes later, the door opened again.
This time it was Dr. Patel.
“Your visitor says she has information about the financial records. She also says she knows why your husband allowed the affair to continue.”
Vivian closed her eyes.
“I don't want to hear about Matteo.”
“Then you don't have to. But the visitor says the information concerns your safety.”
Mara stood.
“I'll speak to her outside.”
Vivian shook her head.
“No. Let her come in.”
Camille entered wearing a gray coat and no makeup. Her hair was pulled back, and her face looked thinner than Vivian remembered.
For a moment, neither sister spoke.
Then Vivian said, “You kissed my husband.”
Camille lowered her eyes.
“Yes.”
“You came into my home. I gave you a room. I trusted you.”
“I know.”
“You don't get to tell me you're sorry and expect that to fix it.”
“I don't.”
Vivian's hand rested over her stomach.
“Why are you here?”
Camille placed a small envelope on the bedside table.
“Because Stefan has a plan to make the baby disappear from the succession documents before he's born. He intends to challenge the paternity and claim you used the pregnancy to manipulate Matteo.”
Vivian stared at her.
“That's absurd.”
“He has a doctor willing to sign a statement. He has financial records prepared to make it look like you were paid by Northline.”
Mara stepped forward.
“Who is the doctor?”
Camille gave her a name.
Vivian recognized it from the family medical office.
Camille continued.
“Stefan told Matteo that the only way to stop the investigation was to keep you under control until after the birth.”
Vivian felt cold.
May you like
“Did Matteo agree?”
Camille's silence answered.
