Chapter 5

In the hospital corridor, cold lights cast shadows on Stefan's haggard face.

The emergency room's glow weighed on him, stealing his breath.

"Enough with that look," his friend Charles Fuller scoffed. "Wasn't this the plan all along? Divorce her now and marry Izabella."

Stefan irritably pushed away the cigarette Charles offered.

After a long silence, he spoke, his voice hoarse. "I don't want a divorce."

Charles froze, as if he hadn't heard right, and dug at his ear. "What did you say?"

Stefan lifted his head, eyes bloodshot, staring at the emergency room light. "I said, I don't want a divorce."

"Are you fucking insane?" Charles's voice spiked, then dropped to a harsh whisper, mindful of the setting. "You orchestrated this whole thing, played the devoted husband for years, all to get revenge for Izabella and use Nora as a stepping stone to make your mother accept Izabella. You're almost there, and now you say you won't divorce? Don't tell me you've fallen for Nora. We all saw how much you despised her back then."

Stefan kept his head down, silent, as if conceding.

Charles grew agitated. "What about Izabella? What about her baby? You're not suggesting she terminate it, are you?"

Stefan didn't answer, lost in his thoughts. "I thought I felt nothing for Nora, or maybe just disgust. But... but when she collapsed, all I could think was one thing. I was fucking terrified. I was afraid she'd never wake up, afraid she'd really leave me."

He forced a smile, but his hands trembled.

Charles stared at him like he was a freak, then asked again, "What about Izabella? Make her terminate and end it?"

Stefan shook his head firmly. "No way. I can keep her on the side. The baby's a Gordon too. Nora and Izabella are different."

His meaning was clear, he wanted both.

Charles narrowed his eyes. "In our circle, keeping a starlet and a kid on the side is no big deal. But you promised Izabella the title of Mrs. Gordon. Now you're pushing her to be a mistress. If she makes a scene, how will you handle it?"

Before they could resolve the debate, the emergency room light went out.

The doctor warned that visitors were allowed but must not upset the patient. Before he finished, Stefan rushed into the room.

At the sound of footsteps, Nora's eyes slowly shifted to the figure in the doorway.

On the hospital bed, her face was so pale it blended with the white sheets.

"Stefan," her cracked lips moved, her voice faint but clear. "Divorce."

Stefan's heart clenched, pain shooting through him.

He turned away, unable to meet her gaze.

After a few seconds of silence, he spoke, his voice raw. "Nora, focus on recovering. We'll talk when you're better."

Nora's lips curved, almost a smile. "Will I ever get better?"

Stefan paled. She had heard everything, including the truth about the tampered medicine.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, lips trembling. "I'm sorry. When you're better, we... we can start over..."

A commotion erupted in the corridor.

Charles burst into the room, panicked. "Izabella's bleeding!"

Stefan froze. "Why is she here?"

Charles stammered, "She said she was worried about Nora and came to check. Then she overheard what you said."

Stefan glanced at Nora on the bed, gritted his teeth, and stayed put. "She's in a hospital. Doctors are already here."

"She's refusing treatment and says she doesn't want the baby anymore."

"That's nonsense!" Stefan's face darkened. "Nora, rest. I'll be right back."

He hesitated only half a second before storming out, anger in his stride.

The room fell silent again.

A faint sigh escaped.

Nora struggled to sit up, reaching for her phone. "Penelope, tell DeepBlue Tech for me. I'm in."