Chapter 4
Seeing Zevian avoid her gaze, Amaris’s heart dropped, sinking deep into a pit of despair. The next morning, Zevian accompanied her to the hospital, his expression unreadable as they waited for the results. When the test came back, Amaris was truly pregnant. Zevian’s face lit up with joy, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He kissed her again and again, like a young boy who had just fallen in love. “My love, I’ll take care of you and our baby; I’m going to be a dad!” Amaris stood there, holding the pregnancy report in one hand, feeling a strange daze wash over her. Her other hand instinctively drifted to her abdomen, a flutter of warmth and wonder rising within her. It was as if she could hear the gentle heartbeat of the life growing inside her. “My love, let me take you home. The first three months are so important, you mustn’t be startled.” “I’ll go buy groceries, cook for you, and take good care of you and our baby.” A blissful smile spread across Zevian’s face as he spoke, his excitement palpable. “Should we start thinking about what to name the baby…?” They left the hospital shortly after, and not long later, they were home. No matter what Amaris said, Zevian wouldn’t let her lift a finger. He treated her as if she were made of glass, handling her with the utmost care and always watching over her. While he was busy, the phone in the living room suddenly rang. He rushed out of the kitchen, grabbed the phone, and answered it. His face shifted instantly, his expression tight with urgency. “I’ll be right there!” Without another word, he yanked the apron off and tossed it carelessly on the table, dashing out the door without even sparing a glance at her. Amaris stood at the corner of the staircase, watching him go, the sound of his hurried footsteps echoing through the house. He had completely forgotten his promise to make her dinner, even leaving the stove on. Her phone buzzed with a new message. [Come to Oregon Hospital in the city center. I’m waiting for you, Aveline.] Amaris arrived outside the hospital room, just as familiar voices reached her ears. Amanda was crying. “Zevian, Aveline’s condition is worsening again. What are we going to do?” “Can’t we move the plan forward and have Amaris donate a kidney to Aveline sooner?” Zevian stood silently at the side, his gaze lingering on Aveline’s pale face on the hospital bed. Pain and helplessness flickered in his eyes, but he remained quiet. Upon seeing his lack of response, Amanda’s tears stopped abruptly. Realization seemed to strike her, and her tone became sharp, demanding. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t want to move the plan forward for Aveline? Or is it you’ve really fallen for that woman?” Alaric’s eyes darkened at her words, his gaze turning cold as he fixed Zevian with a cold stare. “Zevian, we raised you to care for Aveline. Are you going to turn your back on her now?” At that, Zevian finally spoke, his voice cold and unwavering. “How could I fall for Amaris? I was just thinking about how to adjust the schedule.” “Dad, Mom, my feelings for Aveline are real. Besides, she once saved my life. How could I abandon her for Amaris?” Lying in bed, Aveline stiffened slightly at the mention of her saving him but quickly masked it with a calm expression. “Zevian, I always knew you were the best to me.” Outside the room, Amaris stood frozen, her face pale, her body on the verge of collapse. She couldn’t help but remember the day Aveline had returned. Zevian had been in a car accident, and by some twist of fate, Aveline had been at the scene. When the car came barreling toward him, she rushed from behind and shoved him out of the way. But it had been too late. Both Zevian and she had been struck. Thankfully, her timely push had spared Zevian from serious injury while she had taken the brunt of it, slipping into a coma. When she had awoken, everyone was praising Aveline for saving Zevian’s life. And she, the woman Zevian had once held dear, was cast as the heartless one, never even visiting him after his accident. No matter how much she tried to explain, no one believed her. They accused her of stealing Aveline’s credit, shamelessly. Zevian’s once tender affection for her had turned cold, and all his warmth was now directed toward Aveline. It wasn’t until she had been kidnapped and violated that Zevian started treating her kindly again. Looking back now, she couldn’t help but think he might have been the one behind that incident, only treating her better out of guilt. She had once been blind, convinced that Zevian truly loved her. “Miss, are you a family member of the patient? Why haven’t you gone in?” A nurse on her rounds spotted Amaris standing outside and asked with curiosity. As she spoke, the nurse reached out, pushing the door open. The moment Amaris stepped into view, everyone inside turned toward the entrance. Zevian froze. Panic flickered in his eyes at the sight of her. Realizing she had been spotted, Amaris didn’t hesitate. With tears welling up in her eyes, she turned and fled. Zevian rushed to follow, but Alaric caught his arm. “Where do you think you’re going? Don’t forget, Aveline still needs you!” The words snapped Zevian back to reality. He pushed down the unease bubbling in his chest and spoke softly, “I’m worried she overheard everything. It could ruin the plan. If something happens to her, there’ll be no one left to donate a kidney to Aveline.” After the nurse finished her rounds and left, Alaric’s face softened, a confident smile tugging at his lips. “You don’t need to worry about that.” “Even if she knows, there’s no escape for her.” “Why do you think she showed up here? We lured her in, of course.” “Aveline’s condition is worsening; look, she had to be admitted again today. You’re moving too slowly, and we can’t afford to wait any longer.” “The moment she leaves this hospital, someone will take her, and her kidney will be gone.” Zevian’s heart skipped a beat. He looked sharply at Alaric, a cold dread rising in him. “Dad, Amaris is pregnant with my child. If you’re going to act, at least give me some warning.” Seeing the agitation in Zevian’s eyes, Amanda quickly intervened, her voice steady but firm. “Zevian, your father’s just under pressure. He can’t stand seeing Aveline suffer.” “Besides, Amaris can always have another child. Right now, the most important thing is Aveline’s health! Without a kidney, she’ll die. Can’t you see what matters more?” Aveline, who had remained silent up until now, spoke at just the right moment, her voice trembling, eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Zevian, don’t blame Mom and Dad. It’s all my fault; I shouldn’t have gotten sick. If I wasn’t sick, none of this would be happening.” “You wouldn’t have to hurt Amaris either. I feel so guilty.” Without warning, she grabbed the fruit knife from the bedside and raised it to her own chest. “If I die, Amaris won’t have to give me her kidney, and you can have your baby in peace, Zevian. Please, Mom, Dad, spare Amaris.” Zevian moved in an instant, leaping forward to grab the knife from her hands. He acted quickly, but the sharp blade cut into his palm, blood oozing from the wound and staining the sheets. “Zevian…” Aveline stared, her face frozen in shock, her gaze shifting from the blood-soaked bed to Zevian’s darkened expression.