chapter 162
Elena's POV:
Sebastian's arms tightened around me, his chin resting on top of my head.
"No," he said simply, as if that single word could rewrite reality. "You don't have to do anything for them."
His jaw was set in that dangerous way I'd come to recognize, the one that meant someone was about to face the full force of his wrath. But beneath the anger, I saw something else—fear. Fear for me, for our babies.
"I have to go," I heard myself say again, though my voice sounded foreign to my own ears. "Just to see. To cut off any lingering hope with my own eyes. I won't do anything stupid."
Sebastian studied my face for a long moment, his dark eyes searching. Finally, he sighed, the sound carrying the weight of his reluctance. "If you're going, I'm going with you."
"Of course you are," I said, managing a weak smile.
A knock at the door interrupted us. "Come in," Sebastian called, not taking his eyes off me.
Margaret entered, already dressed for the day in an elegant burgundy suit, her silver hair perfectly coiffed. But her usual composure faltered when she saw us—me still in my nightgown, Sebastian protective and tense beside me.
"What's happened?" she asked immediately, closing the door behind her.
Sebastian's jaw tightened. "The Smiths have made contact. They want Elena to visit her mother in the hospital."
"Is your mother ill?" she asked immediately, closing the door behind her.
Sebastian nodded grimly. "Leukemia. They want Elena's bone marrow."
"What?" Margaret's voice rose sharply, her usual elegance giving way to raw indignation. "Absolutely not! Elena is carrying a baby, for God's sake! Elena, dear, you mustn't even consider such foolishness."
"Don't worry," I said, placing a calming hand on my belly. "I'm already disappointed enough in them. I won't do anything reckless."
When Margaret learned we'd decided to visit the hospital anyway, she didn't try to stop us. She simply fixed Sebastian with a stern look. "You protect her," she commanded. "Don't let anyone pressure her into anything."
"Besides," Margaret added, her voice gentling, "I want them to see that you're thriving. That despite everything they did or didn't do, you've found your place. You don't need them anymore, no matter what happens." She glanced meaningfully at Sebastian. "And they have no right to disturb your life now."
"Thank you," I said to Margaret, meaning it with every fiber of my being.
"No one gets to target my granddaughter," Margaret declared fiercely, straightening to her full height. "If they try, I'll fight them to the end, even if it costs me these old bones."
As she swept from the room, I turned back to Sebastian. "Your grandmother is terrifying."
"She's protective," he corrected, pulling me back into his arms. "Of family. Of you."
Family. The word that had once meant pain and rejection now meant something entirely different. I thought of Margaret's fierce protectiveness, of the quiet strength she'd offered me. Of Sebastian's possessive but absolute devotion. Even of the babies growing inside me, already so loved despite the circumstances of their conception.
"I should get ready," I said finally, though I made no move to leave his embrace.
"Elena." His voice was serious now. "You really don't have to do this. Say the word, and I'll make them disappear. They'll never bother you again."
I knew he meant it. Knew he had the power and the willingness to follow through. But I also knew that running from this wouldn't give me peace.
"I need to face her," I said softly. "I need to look her in the eye and understand how a mother could just... leave. "
His hand moved to cup my face, thumb brushing across my cheekbone. "And if she says something to hurt you?"
"Then I'll have my answer," I replied. "And I can close that chapter of my life forever."
He studied me for another moment, then nodded slowly. "Marcus will have extra security in place. No one gets near you without going through them first."
"I know." I covered his hand with mine. "I trust you to keep us safe."
---
The drive to St. Valen General Hospital felt both endless and far too short.
I sat pressed against Sebastian's side in the back of the car, his hand resting protectively over mine on my belly. Marcus drove, his eyes constantly scanning the mirrors, while two more security vehicles flanked us.
The hospital lobby was crowded with the usual mix of patients, visitors, and staff.
John Smith was waiting by the elevators. The bruising on his jaw from yesterday's encounter was purple-black, and his eyes flashed with barely contained fury when he saw Sebastian's mocking smile.
"Mr. Vane," he said stiffly. "Elena."
"Mr. Smith," Sebastian replied, his tone dripping with false courtesy. "You look well. That jaw healing nicely?"
John's hands clenched into fists, but he forced himself to turn to me. "Thank you for coming. Your mother—Scarlett—she's on the third floor."
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
The elevator ride was suffocating despite the spacious car. John stood as far from Sebastian as possible, while I focused on breathing slowly, trying to calm my racing heart.
The private room was at the end of a long corridor.
The door opened with a soft click. Scarlett's eyes found mine immediately.
"Elena," she whispered. "My baby."
I forced my feet to carry me forward, stopping just out of reach of the bed. Up close, I could see she looked surprisingly well. Without yesterday's carefully applied makeup, she wasn't quite as elegant, but her complexion was still good, showing no obvious signs of the illness John claimed was killing her.
"Elena." John's voice cut through the moment. "Your mother needs a bone marrow transplant. The donor from three years ago is no longer viable. As her daughter, you're the most likely match."
Scarlett squeezed my hand weakly. "I know I have no right to ask," she said, her voice breaking. "I know what you must think of me. But please, Elena. I'm dying."
"You've been dead to me for years," I said quietly. "Why should that change now?"
Her face crumpled further. "I deserve that. I deserve all of it. But please, just get tested. That's all I'm asking. Just see if you're a match."
John stepped forward. "Time is running out. Are you really going to let your mother die because of your selfishness?"