Preston wasn''t afraid of Terrell—not in the slightest.


    Their families''panies operated inpletely different industries, so there was no real ovep. Besides, everyone knew the Fawcett family had a long, prestigious history; their reputation was everything. Preston was certain Terrell wouldn''t dare cross any lines.


    At that moment, Isadora slowly opened her bleary eyes, her head spinning. She shielded her face from the harsh re of the ceiling light.


    Terrell hurried over to her side. "Isadora, are you okay?"


    Preston saw that the woman on the bed was awake. Well, there went his fun.


    With a loud crash, Preston kicked a chair across the room, sending it skidding.


    "Terrell, you just ruined my night. You''ll pay for this," he spat, pulling his clothes from the floor and hastily throwing them on.


    His gaze dark and unreadable, Preston gave Isadora a final look. "We''ll meet again, sweetheart."


    Isadora met Preston''s fierce stare and only then realized just how close she''de to real danger. Her heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly checked her clothes, making sure everything was still in ce.


    Terrell did his best to reassure her. "You''re safe now, Isadora. Nothing happened, I promise."


    Still shaken, Isadora managed a weak, "It was you who saved me, right? Thank you, Mr. Fawcett."


    Trying to lighten the mood, Terrell offered a crooked smile. "Does that thank you earn me a little more favor in your eyes?"


    Isadora looked away, unable to meet his intense gaze, uncertain how to respond.


    Suddenly, a sharp pain twisted in her stomach. Isadora remembered the strange scent she''d inhaled earlier that night. What if it was something toxic? Her face went instantly pale.


    She tried to stand, swaying slightly, urgency in her voice. "Can you take me to the hospital? Right now, please?"


    Hospital. Emergency Room.


    Isadora sat anxiously in front of the doctor, recounting every detail. "Doctor, I''m pregnant, but I don''t know what I inhaled—some kind of sedative, I think. There might have been some impact, too. I''m having strong cramps. Is the baby going to be okay?"


    The doctor methodically filled out a chart. "We''ll need to run some bloodwork and do an ultrasound. You''re about three months along now-anything can happen at this stage. In the worst case, it could mean a miscarriage."


    The word ''miscarriage'' sent a chill through Isadora. Her hands clenched tightly, her blood running cold.


    Noticing her fear, the doctor


    softened his tone. "Try not to worry. That''s only a worst-case scenario. It''s possible everything is fine. Let''s check first."


    Standing nearby, Terrell''s expression froze as he heard Isadora say she was pregnant.


    Once the tests were done, Isadora and Terrell sat side by side on a bench in the chilly hospital corridor.


    "Is there something you want to ask me?" she said quietly.


    Terrell hesitated. "Is this why you turned me down?"


    Isadora stared at the examination room across the hall, the scent of disinfectant heavy in the air. The hospital''s sterile chill pressed in around them.


    "Yes and no," she replied softly.


    "Is the baby''s father that man from before?" Terrell asked, almost in a whisper.


    Isadora fell silent.


    Her stomach had been aching ever since she woke up. Anxiety and fear wrapped tightly around her, and even with Terrell sitting beside her, she couldn''t shake the dread gnawing at her chest.


    If-because of her own carelessness-she lost the baby-


    She couldn''t even finish the thought.


    Noticing how pale she looked, Terrell felt a pang of concern. He was still reeling from the news of her pregnancy, but he knew there were things better left unsaid.


    He tried to reassure her. "The results aren''t back yet, so try not to worry. I''ll go get you some water. Wait here for me, okay?"


    After Terrell left, Isadora sat numbly, staring at her phone, absently fidgeting with it, her mind nk.


    Suddenly, she heard the sound of hurried, heavy footsteps echoing down the corridor.


    She looked up.


    A tall, familiar figure appeared at the end of the hall.


    él.n


    Isadora couldn''t hide her reaction in time; her eyes stung with unshed tears. Emotions surged-guilt, confusion, sorrow, a sense of injustice-all crashing over her at once.