"Okay, I''ll be back right away."


    Reese''s voice shook, barely able to contain her relief. All the worry, guilt, and tension she''d carried since Matthew fell into aa finally broke, melting into a rush of pure, dizzying joy. It flooded her chest and made her eyes sting with tears.


    She looked up at Sebastian, and for the first time in ages, the weight in her heart was gone. Everything felt so clear now.


    "Sebastian, I can''t agree to your terms." Her voice was steady, calm, and sure. There wasn''t a hint of doubt in her eyes. All those days of swallowing her pride and pretending to be fine had ended the moment Matthew stepped in front of that knife for her, the moment she watched him lying unconscious in that hospital bed. She wasn''t looking for someone to control her, or a golden cage to keep her safe. She just wanted to breathe freely, to feel at peace, and Sebastian had never given her that. He never could.


    She didn''t bother looking at him again. She got up and headed straight for the door. She didn''t want to waste another second here. She just wanted to get to the hospital, to see Matthew, to wait for him to wake up with her right there.


    "Reese, don''t you care about saving Matthew anymore?" Sebastian''s voice was sharp, almost desperate. He didn''t know what the call was about, but the happiness on her face told him Matthew was probably awake. For another man, she could look this radiant, this alive, right in front of him.


    Reese didn''t even slow down. Her back was to him, her voice cold and firm. "Sebastian, the only thing left between us is divorce."


    The door mmed behind her, shutting him outpletely.


    Sebastian''s temper snapped. He swept his arm across the table, sending the teapot and cups crashing to the floor. Porcin shattered everywhere, the sound sharp and jarring, just like his pride splintering inside him.


    "Damn it!" His voice was a low curse, his breathing hard. Matthew was supposed to be on death''s doorstep. The only way to save him was through their child, and yet Reese had turned him down without hesitation.


    "Brady!" His shout was thick with fury, the kind that made the air in the room feel heavy.


    "Boss." Brady rushed in, stopping short at the mess on the floor and the stormy look on Sebastian''s face. He didn''t dare make a sound.


    "Find out everything."


    Sebastian''s


    words came out through gritted teeth. "Look into those military doctors, their backgrounds, the exact treatment, Matthew''s Condition want to know


    detail. Don''t miss a thing." He knew exactly how deadly a gic disease like Matthew''s could be. There was no way things could turn around this easily. He refused to believe it.


    "Yes, Mr. Ratcliff." Brady didn''t waste a second, quickly leaving the room to start the investigation.


    Now Sebastian was alone. He walked to the window, watching as Reese''s car sped away from the house, his jealousy and anger burning even hotter.


    At the hospital, Reese was almost running down the hallway. The sharp, quick clicks of her heels echoed off the floor matching the frantic beat of her heart. Every step felt urgent, like she couldn''t get to Matthew fast enough.


    She pushed open the door to his room. Her steps slowed.


    Inside, everything was quiet. The only sounds came from the gentle beeps of the medical equipment. The military doctors were already packing up. The lead doctor caught her eve nodded and pressed a finger to his lips, giving herra silent reassuring gesture.