Chapter 48
Fiona's POV:
"Congratulations, Mrs. Price. You're pregnant."
I watched doctor's words register on Hannah's face, her eyes widening with joy as her hand instinctively moved to her still-flat stomach.
The examination room at Moontouch Medical Center suddenly felt suffocating as I forced my lips into what I hoped was a convincing smile.
"Are you certain?" Hannah asked, her voice trembling with emotion.
The doctor nodded, pointing to the screen showing hormone levels. "About five weeks along. Everything looks perfectly healthy."
A child. Hannah was going to have Alexander's child. A legitimate Price heir.
"Oh, Fiona! Isn't this wonderful news?" Hannah reached for my hand, squeezing it tightly. "Another sibling for you and Mia!"
"It's amazing," I replied, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "I'm so happy for you."
My mind raced with calculations.
If the baby is a boy, he would instantly become Alexander's primary heir. Even a girl would dilute my share.
As Hannah discussed prenatal care with the doctor, I slipped into the hallway, pulling out my phone.
This unexpected development required immediate action.
I needed leverage, something to ensure this pregnancy didn't come to term—and I knew exactly who to use.
I dialed Tori's number, arranging my features into an expression of concern in case anyone walked by.
When she finally answered, her cold voice carried just one word:
"What?"
"Hannah's in the hospital," I said, injecting worry into my tone. "You should come see her. She's at Moontouch Medical Center, third floor."
But instead of the agreement I expected, I heard a click and then silence.
She'd hung up on me. The worthless Omega had actually hung up on me.
I stared at my phone in disbelief, my claws extending involuntarily, scratching the screen. How dare she? She couldn't even be bothered to show concern for her own mother?"
I turned to look at Hannah, who was still glowing with maternal joy as she spoke with the nurse about prenatal vitamins and upcoming appointments.
My eyes darkened as I watched her.
Despite all my efforts—the herbal tea I'd been secretly adding to her morning drinks, the "stress-relief" supplements that were actually mild fertility suppressants—she had still managed to get pregnant.
My grip tightened on the phone until I heard the plastic creak in protest.
Hannah caught my gaze and smiled, completely oblivious to the storm raging behind my carefully composed expression.
'We'll need to tell Alexander tonight,' she mouthed excitedly.
I forced my lips into what I hoped was a convincing smile and nodded, while inside my wolf snarled with frustration. I needed a new plan, and quickly.
Later, as we drove home from the hospital in my Mercedes, I began carefully, keeping my voice gentle.
"Mom, I've been thinking. Since you'll need extra rest during your pregnancy, maybe this would be the perfect time to invite your mother to stay with us for a while."
Hannah turned to me with a frown. "My mother? Why would you suddenly bring up Eileen?"
I shrugged, eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"It's just... I've heard some talk recently. You know how wolves gossip." I paused delicately. "People are saying that since you married into the Price family, you've forgotten your roots. That you never visit your mother anymore."
Hannah's frown deepened. "Who's saying such things?"
"It doesn't matter who," I said softly. "But having her stay with us would silence those rumors. Plus, she could help with the pregnancy, and I'm sure she'd be thrilled to be involved with her new grandchild."
What I didn't say was how Eileen's presence would be the perfect bait. Tori would never resist coming to see her beloved grandmother.
And once Tori became a regular presence around Hannah, creating a situation where she could "accidentally" harm her would be much easier to orchestrate.
Hannah's expression softened.
"That's... actually very thoughtful of you, Fiona. You're right." She reached over and squeezed my hand. "You're always thinking of our family's wellbeing."
"That's what family does," I replied, squeezing her hand in return.
Hannah nodded, completely oblivious to my true intentions.
"Yes, let's do that." She paused, turning to face me with a curious expression.
"Speaking of family, how are things between you and Ethan lately?"
"Everything's wonderful," I said softly, lowering my eyes in what I hoped appeared as demure happiness. "He's... very good to me."
Hannah beamed, patting my hand excitedly. "I'm so happy for you, Fiona. "
She leaned closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially.
"You should consider trying for a pup soon after the wedding. Nothing secures your position in a pack like bearing the next generation."
I forced my smile to remain in place even as my stomach twisted.
The truth was, in all our "courtship," Ethan had barely touched me. No temporary marks, no passionate embraces—not even a proper kiss.
Our interactions were formal, distant, as though he were merely performing a duty. It was as if some invisible barrier existed between us, one I couldn't seem to breach no matter how hard I tried.
"Of course," I murmured. "We have been working hard."
That evening, after I came back, I immersed myself in a bath scented with rose petals and jasmine oil.
I'd spent an obscene amount on the specially formulated bath oils from an exclusive shop in Howling Plaza that catered to wolves seeking to attract mates.
The lingerie I chose was a deep emerald silk that complemented my eyes and skin tone—revealing enough to entice, but still sophisticated. Ethan appreciated the class.
"Tonight will be different," I whispered to my reflection as I dabbed perfume behind my ears and at my wrists. "Tonight, he'll see me."