Sebastian let out a long breath, forcing down the frustration that threatened to spill out, and sat quietly across from her icy silence.


    Two hourster, after all the exams were finally over, they found themselves back in Dr. Bruce''s office.


    "The results will be avable on the hospital app within forty-eight hours," Dr. Bruce said, ncing up from hisputer. "From what I can see so far, Ms. Meyer is in good health. If nothing unexpectedes up, you can start the hormone shots next week."


    Sebastian nodded and looked over at Reese. "I''lle with you next week."


    Reese didn''t even spare him a nce. Honestly, she''d rather he didn''te at all. She had no intention of going through with the injections anyway. "That''s fine. I cane by myself."


    She threw a quick look at Dr. Bruce, catching the almost-invisible nod that told her Matthew had already filled him in. She smiled politely, then turned to leave.


    Sebastian''s lips parted, but the words got stuck in his throat. Disappointment flickered in his eyes, quickly slipping into guilt. He knew he''d hurt her deeply before. He wanted nothing more than to make things right. Why wouldn''t Reese just give him a chance?


    After they walked out, Dr. Bruce started tidying up their files. There was a knock at the door, and the hospital''s deputy director, Jon, came in with a file in hand and a wide grin.


    "Busy, Dr. Nace?" Jon asked. "That couple who just left were here for IVF, right?" "Yeah. Their health looks good. If all goes smoothly, they''ll start treatment next month." Bruce shot Jon a look, trying to signal that he was busy.


    Jon either didn''t notice or pretended not to. His eyes darted to the files stacked on the desk. "The woman''s name is Reese, isn''t it?


    "I recognized her from the news. There is this whole scandal with Iron Financial''s


    CEO''s fiancée and her miscarriage. I remember seeing her picture.


    "And the guy is the CEO of Ratcliff Global, right? I had no idea they were married."


    "That''s confidential, Jon. You''re a doctor-you know the hospital''s rules." Bruce cut him off, closing the file and letting his patience run


    "If you don''t have anything else, I


    need to get back to work."


    Jon just smiled, unfazed by the cold shoulder. "Of course. I won''t keep you. By the way, I''ve finished checking the inventory for the ovtion meds you asked about."


    "Thanks," Bruce replied curtly.


    As soon as Jon left Bruce''s office, he pulled out his phone and sent a quick text.


    [Confirmed. Reese and the CEO of Ratcliff Global are doing IVF at the military hospital. They finished their physicals this morning.]


    Satisfied, Jon tucked his phone away, a sly grin spreading across his face. He didn''t really know why the Barnard family was so obsessed with finding out where Reese was knew this


    going IVE but here tel


    would pay off. They''d promised him a fat stack of cash and a promotion if he kept tabs on Reese. Easy money. All he had to do was keep an eye on her-no real risk involved.


    Meanwhile, over at the Ramos family house, Rosie stared at the text from Jon in shock. She grabbed her phone and hurried over to Tara.


    "Tara, we found out which hospital Reese is using!"


    Tara sat up straight, shrugging off her cashmere nket, and took the phone from Rosie. As she read, a cold, calcting look shed in her eyes.


    "That''s perfect," she said. "Have someone keep watch. There''s no way she actually wants to have Sebastian''s baby. Something''s up. We just need to find out what.


    "If we get something on her, we can force her to drop the charges and let Dad go.” Rosie nodded, already tapping out a message. "I''ll have Jon look into it right away."


    "Wait," Tara said, her voice low and


    sharp. "Maybe we can tell Jon to fake a medical report. Make it say Reese''s health won''t allow her to get pregnant or that it would be way too risky if she tried."