Chapter 301: That’s Why She Left You

\[Liv\]

My phone rang just as I was finishing a prototype demo for my startup's investors. Sarah's name flashed across my screen, and I immediately excused myself from the meeting. Something in my gut told me this wasn't a casual call.

"Sarah?" I answered, stepping into the hallway.

"Liv." Her voice was so small, so unlike her usual confident tone that my heart immediately clenched. "I'm at hospital. Can you... can you come?"

"I'm on my way," I said without hesitation, already sprinting toward the elevator. "Twenty minutes tops."

The hospital corridors seemed endless as I rushed through them, following the directions the receptionist had given me. I found Sarah in a private room, lying on her side on an examination bed, her face pale and drawn. A nurse was checking her vitals, and I could see the remnants of tears on Sarah's cheeks.

"Hey," I said softly, approaching the bed. "What happened?"

Sarah's eyes met mine, filled with a pain so raw it took my breath away. "I just had an amniocentesis," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "They need to monitor me for a couple of hours to make sure everything's okay."

The nurse finished her check and left us alone, promising to return soon. I pulled a chair close to Sarah's bed and took her hand in mine. Her fingers were ice cold.

"The test results came in this morning," Sarah continued, her free hand moving protectively to her barely visible baby bump. "The baby has a high risk of neural tube defects."

My heart sank. As someone with a medical background, Sarah would understand exactly what that meant - spina bifida, anencephaly, or other serious conditions that could impact her child's development and quality of life.

"What did the doctor say?" I asked gently, giving her hand a squeeze.

Sarah's eyes filled with fresh tears. "They suggested termination as 'the most compassionate choice.'" Her voice broke on the last words. "The doctor said even as an exceptional physician myself, I can't change this medical reality. That if I can't provide a normal life for my child, it might be kinder to end the suffering early."

Rage bubbled up inside me. Not at the doctor – they were just presenting medical options – but at Theodore. Where the hell was he when Sarah was facing these impossible decisions alone?

"Have you told Theodore?" I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral.

Sarah shook her head, wiping away tears with the back of her hand. "No. And I don't plan to."

"But Sarah—"

"He doesn't want this baby, Liv," she cut me off, her voice suddenly sharp with conviction. "He never did. When I was in the hospital after the kidnapping, he signed consent forms allowing the doctors to administer medications that could harm the baby. He didn't even hesitate."

I bit my tongue, holding back the argument that in an emergency situation, Theodore might have been prioritizing Sarah's immediate survival. It wasn't my place to defend him, especially not when Sarah was in this state.

"What are you going to do?" I asked instead.

Sarah's jaw set in that determined way I knew so well. "I'm keeping my baby," she said firmly. "Whatever challenges come, we'll face them together."

Two hours later, after the doctor confirmed there were no complications from the procedure, I drove Sarah home. The silence in the car was heavy with unspoken words. I wanted to tell her she didn't have to do this alone, that Theodore should shoulder some of the responsibility regardless of their relationship status, that she deserved support. But Sarah's profile was rigid with determination, and I knew pushing her now would only drive her further into isolation.

At her house, I tried to convince her to let me stay.

"I'm fine, Liv," she insisted, already opening the car door. "I just need some rest."

"At least let me come in and make you something to eat," I pressed, unwilling to leave her alone in this state.

"The housekeeper has everything handled," she replied with a wan smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I promise I'll call if I need anything."

I watched her walk up the path to her front door, shoulders squared despite the weight she carried. Only when she disappeared inside did I pull away from the curb, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white.

The more I thought about it as I drove, the angrier I became. Theodore Pierce, billionaire CEO, living his best life while Sarah suffered alone. Dating Victoria again as if he hadn't just gotten Sarah pregnant. The unfairness of it all made my blood boil.

Before I fully realized what I was doing, I had my phone in hand, calling Theodore's number. It rang through to voicemail. Of course. Heaven forbid he make himself available when someone actually needed him.

I dialed James next, knowing he'd be glued to Theodore's side as always.

"Liv?" James answered, sounding surprised. "What's going on?"

"Where's Theodore?" I demanded, skipping pleasantries. "I need to talk to him. Now."

James hesitated. "He's at a charity event for the new foundation. He's quite busy at the moment."

"What foundation?" I asked, momentarily thrown.

"The Pierce Foundation for Children with Special Needs," James replied. "It was just established. The inaugural fundraising gala is happening right now."

The irony was so bitter I could taste it. Theodore was raising money for children with special needs while his own potentially disabled child's mother was alone, crying in a hospital room.

"Where's the event?" I demanded.

"Liv, I don't think it's a good time—"

"Tell me where it is, or I swear to God I'll find out by myself," I threatened.

James sighed. "It's at the Hotel downtown. But you can't just show up without an invitation."

"Watch me," I muttered, hanging up and making an illegal U-turn toward downtown.

Twenty minutes later, I was arguing with a security guard outside the ballroom.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but without an invitation, I cannot allow you entry," the guard repeated for the third time, his patience clearly wearing thin.

"I'm a personal friend of Theodore Pierce," I insisted, trying to peer past him into the glittering ballroom beyond. "Just tell him Liv Bennett is here. He'll want to see me."

"I'm afraid Mr. Pierce is giving a speech right now and cannot be disturbed," the guard replied, blocking my view.

My frustration was reaching its boiling point when a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Is there a problem here?" Victoria Cross glided toward us, elegant in a form-fitting red gown that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.

"This woman is attempting to enter without an invitation," the guard explained.

Victoria's perfectly made-up face arranged itself into a sympathetic expression that didn't reach her eyes. "Liv, what a surprise. I'm afraid this is a private event. Perhaps you could schedule a meeting with Theodore's assistant for another time?"

Her condescending tone made me want to scream. "I need to speak with Theodore now. It's about Sarah."

Something flashed in Victoria's eyes—satisfaction, perhaps?—before her mask of concern slipped back into place. "I understand your concern for your friend, but Theodore is quite busy tonight. This foundation means a great deal to him."

"I bet it does," I said sarcastically. "How convenient that he's suddenly so interested in children with special needs."

Victoria's perfectly sculpted eyebrows rose slightly. "I'm not sure what you're implying, but if it's something to do with Sarah, I'm sure Theodore will be happy to address it during normal business hours."

"Normal business hours?" I repeated incredulously, my voice rising. "This isn't about business! This is about him stepping up and taking responsibility!"

Victoria glanced nervously at the ballroom entrance, where guests were beginning to notice our exchange. "Please lower your voice. You're causing a scene."

"I'll cause whatever I damn well please until Theodore comes out here and faces me!" I snapped, past caring about propriety or appearances.

Victoria sighed dramatically. "Security, perhaps you could escort Ms. Bennett outside? She clearly isn't in a state to be reasoned with."

As the guard moved toward me, something inside me snapped. "You're unbelievable," I hissed at Victoria. "Playing loyal guard dog while he abandons his pregnant ex."

Victoria's perfect composure faltered for just a moment. "I'm merely protecting Theodore from unnecessary disruptions," she replied, her voice dropping dangerously low. "If he wanted to speak with you, he would have answered your call."

"Does it feel good?" I asked, stepping closer to her, ignoring the guard's warning hand on my arm. "Being Theodore's faithful little lapdog? Fetching his slippers, keeping away unwanted visitors, warming his bed now that Sarah's gone?"

A flash of genuine emotion—rage—crossed Victoria's face. "You have no idea what you're talking about," she whispered. "I protect Theodore because I care about him, unlike your friend who abandoned him when things got complicated."

"You're nothing but his dog," I spat. "A well-trained, pedigreed dog, but still just a dog."

Victoria's smile was razor-sharp. "Then like any good guard dog, it's my job to keep the door and make sure trash stays outside where it belongs."

Something inside me exploded. Before I could think, my hand connected with Victoria's cheek in a slap that echoed through the hotel lobby. The sharp crack sent shock waves through the suddenly silent space.

Victoria's head snapped to the side, her perfect chignon coming partly undone with the force of the blow. When she turned back to me, a red handprint bloomed across her pale cheek, but her eyes were triumphant.

"Call Mr. Pierce," she instructed the stunned security guard. "Tell him we have a situation."

The minutes that followed passed in a blur of contained chaos. Security guards materializing to hold me back, Victoria touching her reddened cheek with theatrical delicacy, hotel staff trying to usher curious onlookers away from the scene.

When Theodore finally appeared, striding through the ballroom doors with Alex at his heels, his face was a storm cloud of barely contained fury.

"What the hell is going on here?" he demanded, taking in the scene with a quick, assessing glance.

Victoria immediately moved to his side, the perfect picture of wounded dignity. "Theodore, I'm so sorry for the disruption. Liv was quite insistent on seeing you, and when I explained you were busy..."

Theodore's eyes narrowed as he took in her reddened cheek. "You struck her?"

"She wouldn't let me in to see you," I replied, chin raised defiantly. "She was disrespectful and condescending."

"So you physically assaulted her," Theodore stated flatly. "Apologize. Now."

"Excuse me?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "I'm not apologizing to her! I came here because Sarah needed you, and instead of hearing me out, you're defending this bitch? That’s why Sarah left."