While Cyndi's pulse spiked with tension, her thoughts racing with options, Kelvin helped his friend carry her into the car.
An extra piece of clothing was used to cushion her frame due to the blood loss.
Alex slid in beside her, cradling her carefully in his arms.
Kelvin walked around the car with a soft smile on his lips and slid into the driver's seat.
He really wanted to see how long she would keep this up.
He swiftly turned on the ignition and shot Alex a glance through the rearview mirror. "Alex, please hold her firmly to avoid further damage due to the risk of traveling to the hospital."
Cyndi's lips twitched involuntarily.
What damage?
Wait! Doesn't that mean he is targeting me on purpose? He better drive carefully. The doctor said I can't stress myself…
Wait… he can't be planning to trigger a real miscarriage this time, right?
Her heartbeat thudded violently against her ribs, yet she forced her body to remain limp in Alex's arms.
The drive to the hospital was silent and suffocating, each of them stuck with their own thoughts.
The city lights streaked past the window in blurred lines of white and gold. Alex's grip tightened every time the car slowed or turned.
Kelvin, however, drove with unsettling smoothness; neither too fast nor too slow.
~Hospital~
Kelvin pulled into the emergency parking lot of St. Martin's Hospital with ease.
The nurses, already waiting for Kelvin's arrival, rushed forward the moment the car stopped. His call ahead had clearly carried weight.
The stretcher was lowered beside the car.
Alex stepped down carefully, still holding her. But just as he wanted to loosen his hold and transfer her fully, he felt her hand clutch his sleeve tightly.
His breath caught. "Cyndi?"
Her fingers trembled faintly.
"Cyndi," he called anxiously. "It seems she is awake," he added, glancing at Kelvin as if seeking reassurance and help.
Kelvin's lips curled up coldly.
"Was she already afraid that she had to give up so soon?"
"Let me check on her." He smirked faintly and walked over to Cyndi lying on the stretcher while the nurses stood by, waiting to wheel her into the emergency ward.
He bent down slightly, lowering his head near her ear as though checking her pulse.
His voice dropped to a whisper only she could hear.
"You might as well keep up the pretense until we go into the emergency ward," he murmured smoothly, "but I doubt you will still come out with the pregnancy intact."
Her blood ran cold.
With that, he straightened up and stepped away.
"Take her in," he gestured toward the sliding glass doors of the lobby.
Cyndi's hand curled tightly into a fist against the fabric beneath her.
How dare he threaten her like this?
The best option was to wait. Watch carefully. Choose the perfect timing and wake up before any irreversible harm is done.
And this threat, She would never let him get away with it.
Alex stepped forward, worry etched deeply across his face. "Is it too serious? Is she waking up?" he asked, staring helplessly at the stretcher being pushed away.
Kelvin sighed faintly. "I think so, but a close examination will determine the nature of things."
He patted Alex on the shoulder with deceptive reassurance. "Pull yourself together." He smirked coldly and followed behind them.
~Earlier~
Leaving the hospital after Sonia's death, Alex drove Cyndi straight to her apartment. He did not bother turning off the ignition.
Besides, he was leaving immediately and didn't have the luxury of staying with her.
He felt drained and tired. The situation should have been a relief, but at this moment he felt even more depressed.
No matter how he tried to assure himself that it was alright, he still felt the pain of losing Sonia tug at his heartstrings.
With his hand on the gear selector, he exhaled sharply.
His voice was cold, exhausted, and emotionless. "You should go up first."
Cyndi's brow knitted together. "And what about you? Aren't you…"
"There would be no need," he cut in.
"But Alex?" She tried to protest.
"Cyndi, this is not the time to throw tantrums. Be a good girl and go up like I said… I have matters to attend to and wouldn't be accompanying you."
"Alex, I know, but… Sonia just left and I am afraid… we've been the best of friends."
Alex stared at her for a brief moment. His eyes glinted with an unclear emotion that disappeared immediately it surfaced, as though it was never there.
A few thoughts coursed through his mind, yet his face remained expressionless.
It seems she had been shaken by her death?
No matter what, she was still her best friend.
But isn't that what she wanted all along?
Or am I reading it wrong?
But being afraid… it made sense. Just like the feeling in my heart.
He stared at her a bit longer, then exhaled. "I understand, but you still have to wait for me to return."
"Can't we go together? Aren't you just going to the company?" She probed, her head lowered, concealing the slight flicker in her eyes.
"I'm not going to the company. No matter what… she is still my wife and she just passed away. Going to the company should be the last thing to do now," Alex explained as though that would lift the guilt clutching his heart.
Cyndi nodded with feigned understanding while she cursed Sonia inwardly.
"But don't worry, I will soon come back. If I can't make it back, just sleep, and I will be back before dawn." He paused briefly, his gaze flickering into the distance. "I will be going over to see my grandmother and inform her about the situation."
"Your grandmother?" she asked, feigning surprise while her heart thumped against her chest. She was terrified. The Hort family adored Sonia.
If they decided to investigate her sudden death…Things could get complicated.
Alex nodded. "I still have to inform her and the other members of the Hort family… Sonia has been their most cherished daughter-in-law."
Even now, it still baffled him how every member of the Hort family had treated Sonia as though she was their goddess.
A fragile porcelain that needed extra care.
When she fell sick and was sent to the hospital, they nearly asked for his head. And now he was about to return home to announce her death… he wasn't sure what the outcome would be.
"Shouldn't it be wise for me to come with you?" Cyndi suggested.
Alex shook his head. "It wouldn't be necessary. Besides…." He stopped himself in time. "Just be obedient and stay at home. I will call you myself later."
Cyndi nodded in acknowledgment. She pushed the car door open and stepped out. Alex slowly pulled away from the apartment while Cyndi stood watching him as he joined the traffic.
She exhaled and turned toward the apartment, her fist clenched by her side. She was furious.
How dare he prioritize a dead woman over her?
Leaving the hospital, she had thought Alex would have chosen to spend some time with her on the basis of grieving for his wife.
Who would have thought that he had only thought of bringing her over to her apartment?
Cyndi wasn't reconciled with this outcome.
With a slow turn of the key, she pushed the door open and entered her apartment, slumping into one of the couches.
She twirled the phone in her hand for a brief moment, then dialed a number. "Did you find out what I asked of you?" she probed immediately the call was connected.
"It was a bit complex, and I am trying to," a cold, sonorous voice replied.
"I don't care how you do it, but you must make use of this time to clear whatever it is she left behind that might be incriminating," she warned.
"I understand, but that would be difficult if he returns to the mansion today."
"Then he wouldn't be returning, and I will make sure of it," Cyndi affirmed.
"But it has been more than six months… and she is already gone. Is it still important?" the man asked in confusion.
"She is the apple of the Hort family's eyes, and he is going back to announce her death. What do you think?" Cyndi's voice was cold, her eyes narrowing in slow calculation.
"So you are saying they would investigate her death?" The voice probed again, then laughed.
"Little Princess, aren't you just being paranoid? Even if they investigate, would they bring her back to life?"
"You don't get it. Just get your ass off that seat and clear the mess," she smirked coldly. "You only have tonight. I will call him away now." Without waiting for his response, she ended the call decisively.
She glanced at the clock and exhaled. She went into the kitchen and made a quick meal for herself. After eating, she cleared the plates and washed them in the sink, leaving them tidy and spotless.
One wouldn't want to leave any trace of her activities.
She took a quick bath and changed into something more comfortable.
She glanced at the clock again. "It's time," she muttered under her breath. Then she picked up her phone from the table and dialed Alex's number.
"I am having cramps…" she whispered weakly into the phone.
Knowing Alex, he would come back immediately.
She took a long sip of her juice while waiting for his arrival. Watching the news about the accident, she was confident he wouldn't be arriving early.
But the next moment, there was a knock on the door, followed by the persistent ringing of the bell.
Cyndi's heart skipped a beat. She carefully walked to the door, and when she peered through the spyhole, her breath caught.
Rather than Alex, it was Kelvin who had arrived first.
Cyndi's thoughts raced with options. She slowly and carefully unlocked the door, then sprinted into the bedroom.
With every preparation made, she stained her clothes and lay down to begin her plan… Who would have thought…