"Sounds good." Reese couldn''t help but think of Karter as soon as Ramos Corporation was brought up. “I managed to buy out some of the shareholders, but the rest of the shares were scooped up by a guy named Karter."


    "I''d never heard of him back in Bridger Lake and have no clue who''s behind him, but he poured a ton of money into Ramos Corporation. Things have finally stabilized a bit.


    "And now, with Iron Financial and Cameron getting roasted by public opinion, all that cklisting they tried to do just turned into free advertising for Ramos Corporation.


    “I just wish I knew what Karter''s backer actually wants..."


    Matthew''s eyes flickered. He lifted his coffee and took a slow sip, masking any reaction. "Who cares, as long as they''re taking care of the problem. Don''t overthink it."


    "Yeah, you''re right." Reese nodded. "Did you tell n about Leslie?"


    Since she''d decided to get personally involved, she needed every detail sorted before de officiallyunched.


    "Mm, I did." A trace of regret shed in Matthew''s eyes. "He said he''d spread the word about your resignation from ckOak as soon as possible."


    Once Reese left ckOak, he''d hardly get to see her anymore.


    "I''ve lined up the hospital and doctor, too."


    “Perfect.” Reese paused, thinking things through. "Then I won''t being back to ckOak starting tomorrow. I''ll leave things here to you."


    "If it gets to be too much, let me know. I can help out with Annie."


    Matthew''s eyes brightened. That was the perfect excuse to see her more often. "Deal."


    As dusk settled, Reese stepped out of ckOak, ncing at the hospital address and doctor''s contact info Matthew had written out for her. Everything was organized down to thest detail-even the doctor''s specialty and appointment process were clear as day.


    She took a deep breath and called Sebastian.


    Sebastian was sitting at the head of a conference table on the top floor, listening to a market evaluation report for the de project. As soon as the name Reese popped up on his phone, the icy look in his eyes faded. He lifted his hand, cutting off the report mid-sentence. Let''s pause here. We''ll pick up in ten minutes."


    He was already out the door before he''d finished speaking.


    "What''s up? Why are you calling me now?" His voice had lost its usual distance and sounded unexpectedly gentle.


    "I''ve left ckOak," Reese said evenly. "I''ve sorted out the hospital and the doctor. When do you want to go in for IVF?"


    “That fast?” Sebastian had thought she''d drag her feet, not jump right in.


    "We don''t have time to waste. Robbie''s condition can''t wait." It was the best reason Reese could think of.


    Sebastian swallowed. Did this mean she still cared about their son? Maybe there was still hope for the two of them.


    "Tomorrow, then?" He nced at Brady, signaling him to clear tomorrow''s schedule. He couldn''t wait to see her.


    "Okay."


    Once the n was set, Reese hung up.


    Sebastian stared at his darkened phone screen, the corners of his mouth lifting. He called Jane, told her about the hospital appointment, and asked her to get everything at. home ready-just in case Reese needed to stay during the


    pregnancy.


    Listening to Sebastian''s barely contained excitement, Jane rolled her eyes, but she couldn''t help feeling happy herself. She''d been wishing every day that Reese would agree to the pregnancy, so she could finally leave ckOak and finish the job Leslie had given her.


    With that in mind, she dialed Leslie.


    "Reese has left ckOak. You can destroy those photos of that woman now, right?"


    “Sure,” Leslie replied, her voice calm butced with a subtle hint of mockery.