Chapter 4

Only one name appeared on the screen: James.

I picked up.

My brother said over the phone, "I'll be at the door in ten minutes. Let Uncle Stone take you out first. Don't drink any water they give you, and don't sign anything."

I replied, "Okay."

Ethan heard me and fixed his gaze on my phone. "Laura, who are you calling?"

I put my phone away. "Someone who can get me out of here alive."

His jaw tightened. "You think I'd kill you?"

I looked at the blood all over the floor and asked him, "What else am I supposed to think?"

At the hospital's emergency room, the doctor cut open my pant leg, and the nurse changed my bandages three times.

Ethan didn't show up.

Rose did.

She walked in, holding a bouquet of white lilies, her dress so clean it looked like she'd stepped out of a flower shop window.

Dr. Stone blocked her way. "Get out."

Rose smiled. "Dr. Stone, I'm here to visit Mrs. Lambert."

I lay in the hospital bed, a monitor strapped to my belly, the machine's beeps pounding in my ears.

She set the flowers on the bedside table. "Laura, Ethan sent me to check on you. He's tied up at work."

I said, "Take the flowers away."

"Lilies have a gentle scent. They're soothing, perfect for expectant mothers," Rose said.

"I'm allergic to lilies," I replied.

She pretended to just remember. "Oh, silly me, I forgot. But Ethan told me you used to love lilies."

I met her gaze. "Actually, I prefer magnolias."

Rose traced her fingers over the petals, a sly smile on her lips. "You know how men are, they always mix things up.

"And honestly, Ethan's been so worn out lately. He stayed up with me almost all night, trying to make me feel better."

Dr. Stone tossed the flowers into the trash. "Get out."

She didn't leave. Instead, she pulled out a folder. "Laura, Ethan said to keep things quiet about what happened at Greenridge Estate. Sign this settlement agreement. Say you tripped while out for a walk, and the dog just got spooked."

I laughed. "He asked you to bring this?"

"Of course," she said, setting the pen by my hand. "Be smart about this. The Lambert Family cares about their reputation, and Ethan cares even more. You're his wife, help him save face, it's not like you'll lose anything."

I asked, "And what about my baby? I almost lost it, and I'm still supposed to cover for him?"

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You're still alive, aren't you?"

I pressed the call button by my bed.

Rose's expression shifted. "What are you doing?"

The nurse came in. "What's wrong?"

I said, "Get security. She's threatening a pregnant woman and trying to make me sign fake paperwork."

Rose quickly stuffed the papers into her bag. "You're slandering me!"

Dr. Stone grabbed the folder. "Hands off," He said.

When security arrived, Rose started crying. "I was here to visit her, and she's accusing me of something I didn't do."

People started gathering at the door.

Someone recognized her. "Isn't that Mr. Lambert's assistant?"

"Mrs. Lambert is hurt this badly, and the assistant shows up with paperwork?" someone asked.

"What's going on with the Lambert Family?" another onlooker asked.

Rose's tears streamed down her face. "I swear, I did what Ethan told me."

I looked at her. "If that's the case, tell Ethan to come here himself."

She bit her lip and pulled out her phone to dial.

When the call connected, her voice instantly softened. "Ethan, Laura refuses to sign, and she called security to embarrass me. She says you need to come here yourself."

I couldn't make out what Ethan was saying on the other end.

She handed me the phone, her eyes full of triumph. "Ethan wants to talk to you."

I took it.