Chapter 15 Chapter 15
~FIFTEEN~
Declan's face went pale as he watched the video. He reached for my phone, but I pulled it away.
"Anita, it's not what it looks like," he said quickly.
"Then what is it?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Because it looks like you've been secretly visiting your ex-girlfriend in jail and talking about getting rid of me and our babies."
"That video is edited," he said. "The conversation didn't happen like that at all."
"But you have been visiting her," I said, and he couldn't deny it. "Every day, according to this text. Were you ever going to tell me?"
Declan sat down on the edge of the bed, running his hands through his hair. "Yes. I was going to tell you tonight."
"Why were you visiting her at all?" I demanded, feeling tears threatening. "She tried to have me killed, Declan. She tried to destroy your life. Why would you go see her?"
"Because she has information," he said. "Information about my father's death."
I stared at him. "What?"
"My father didn't die of a heart attack like everyone thinks," Declan said quietly. "Victoria claims she has proof that he was murdered. And she says she'll only give me that proof if I visit her every day."
"That's manipulation," I said. "She's using you."
"I know," he admitted. "But Anita, if there's even a chance that someone killed my father and got away with it, I have to know. I have to find out the truth."
"At what cost?" I asked. "You should have told me. We promised no more secrets."
"You're right," he said. "I should have told you. I just didn't want to stress you out while you were in the hospital. The doctor said stress could trigger more complications."
I wanted to believe him. I wanted to trust that his intentions were good.
But the video kept playing in my mind—Victoria's words about getting rid of me and the babies.
"What exactly did she say in that conversation?" I asked. "The real, unedited version."
Declan sighed. "She was trying to convince me that you only wanted me for my money. That you got pregnant on purpose to trap me. She said if I got 'rid of' the relationship—meaning break up with you—then she would give me the information about my father."
"And what did you say?"
"I told her she was insane and that I loved you," he said firmly. "I told her that nothing she said would ever make me leave you. That's when she got angry and said she'd find another way to break us up."
"By sending me edited videos," I realized.
"Exactly," Declan said. "Anita, I swear to you, I would never hurt you or our babies. You have to believe me."
I looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of deception. All I saw was sincerity and desperation.
"I want to believe you," I said slowly. "But Declan, you have to stop visiting her. Whatever information she claims to have about your father, it's not worth giving her this power over us."
"She says she'll destroy the evidence if I stop coming," he said.
"Then let her," I said. "If she really had proof of murder, she would have used it already to bargain for a lighter sentence. She's playing games with you."
Declan was quiet for a long moment. "You're right," he finally said. "I've been so desperate to find out what really happened to my father that I let Victoria manipulate me. I'm sorry."
"No more visits?" I asked.
"No more visits," he confirmed. "I promise."
He leaned in to kiss me, but I pulled back slightly.
"I need you to understand something," I said. "I'm about to spend the next several months on bed rest, completely dependent on you. I need to know that I can trust you completely. No more secrets, no more lies, even if you think they're for my own good. We're partners, and partners tell each other everything."
"You're right," he said. "I promise. Complete honesty from now on."
This time when he leaned in, I let him kiss me.
But as he pulled me gently into his arms, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my stomach.
Because Victoria Laurence had proven time and time again that she was dangerous and unpredictable.
And I had a feeling she wasn't done with us yet.
The next few days passed relatively peacefully. Declan kept his promise and didn't visit Victoria. He barely left my side, working from the home office and checking on me every hour.
Sarah came to visit on my third day home, bringing magazines and gossip from the office.
"You're not going to believe what happened," she said, settling into the chair beside my bed. "The entire executive team quit."
"What? Why?"
"Because Richard Harris tried to implement all these insane new policies. He wanted to cut employee benefits, outsource half the workforce, and merge with some sketchy company his friends own. The executives said they wouldn't work for someone like that, so they all resigned."
"The whole team?" I asked, shocked.
"Every single one," Sarah confirmed. "The board is in crisis mode. The company's losing money without leadership, investors are pulling out, and there are rumors that Norex might have to file for bankruptcy."
I looked at Declan, who had just walked in with my lunch.
"Did you know about this?" I asked him.
"I heard rumors," he admitted, setting the tray down. "Margaret Chen called me yesterday to ask if I'd consider coming back as CEO."
"What did you tell her?"
"I told her I'd think about it," he said. "But honestly, Anita, I'm not sure I want to. That company represents everything that went wrong in my life—my father's death, the inheritance clause, Richard's betrayal, Victoria's manipulation. Maybe it's time to let it go."
"But it's your father's legacy," I said.
"My father's legacy is me," Declan said. "And my legacy will be our children. I don't need a company to prove my worth."
Sarah looked between us. "Wow. You two are actually disgustingly cute together."
"Thanks?" I laughed.
"No, I mean it," she said. "After Jake, I was worried you'd never trust anyone again. But Declan is actually good for you. You seem happy."
"I am happy," I said, and I meant it.
After Sarah left, Declan brought me dinner—grilled chicken and vegetables that our new personal chef had prepared.
"We have a chef now?" I asked.
"We have a chef who specializes in pregnancy nutrition," he corrected. "I want to make sure you and the babies are getting everything you need."
"You're spoiling me," I said.
"Get used to it," he replied with a grin.
That night, as we lay in bed together—Declan had moved into my room since I couldn't climb stairs to the master bedroom—I felt the first flutter of movement in my stomach.
"Declan," I whispered, grabbing his hand and placing it on my belly. "Feel that?"
We waited, and then it happened again—a tiny kick.
"Was that—" he started, his eyes wide with wonder.
"That was one of our babies," I said, tears filling my eyes.
He kept his hand on my stomach, and we felt several more little kicks.
"Hi there, little ones," he said softly. "It's your daddy. I can't wait to meet you both."
It was one of the most perfect moments of my life.
Until my phone rang at 2 AM, shattering our peace.
It was Detective Morrison.
"Miss Blake, I'm sorry to call so late, but I thought you should know. Victoria Laurence escaped from jail tonight."
My blood ran cold. "What? How?"
"We're still investigating, but it appears she had help from the inside—a guard who was romantically involved with her. They overpowered another guard and fled in a stolen vehicle."
"Where is she now?" Declan asked, having woken up and put the phone on speaker.
"We don't know," Detective Morrison admitted. "But Miss Blake, given Victoria's previous threats against you, we're taking this very seriously. We're posting an officer outside your house for protection."
After he hung up, Declan immediately started making calls—to a security company, to Rick, to his lawyer.
Within an hour, our peaceful new home had become a fortress. Security cameras were being installed at every entrance, motion sensors in the yard, and a panic button beside the bed.
"She won't get near you," Declan promised. "I won't let her hurt you or our babies."
But I could see the fear in his eyes.
Because we both knew that Victoria was smart, resourceful, and utterly obsessed.
And now she was free.
I didn't sleep for the rest of the night. Every sound made me jump, every shadow looked like a threat.
By morning, the security installation was complete, and there was a police officer parked in our driveway.
"Maybe we should leave town," I suggested. "Go somewhere she can't find us."
"You can't travel," Declan reminded me gently. "The doctor said you need to stay close to the hospital in case of complications. Running isn't an option."
He was right, but I felt trapped. Vulnerable.
Around noon, Rick arrived with updates.
"The police found the stolen vehicle abandoned near the Canadian border," he reported. "They think Victoria might be trying to flee the country."
"Or she wants us to think that," I said darkly.
"Either way, they've issued an international warrant for her arrest," Rick said. "She can't get far."
But I wasn't convinced.
That afternoon, a delivery truck pulled up to the house. The officer outside checked it out—just flowers from Sarah wishing me well.
But when I opened the card, my blood turned to ice.
In elegant handwriting, it read: Security cameras and police officers won't keep me away. You took everything from me, and I'm going to take everything from you. Starting with those babies. See you soon. - V
"Declan!" I called out, my voice shaking.
He came running and read the card, his face going pale.
"Rick, call Detective Morrison. Now," he ordered.
The police traced the flower delivery—it had been placed online using a fake name and a prepaid credit card. Untraceable.
"She's close," Detective Morrison said grimly when he arrived. "Close enough to know about your security measures."
"How is that possible?" Declan demanded. "We just installed everything this morning."
"She might have someone watching the house," the detective said. "Or someone on the inside feeding her information."
"You mean like a police officer?" I asked, my stomach sinking.
"We're looking into everyone who has access to information about your location and security," Detective Morrison assured us. "In the meantime, I'm assigning two more officers to your protection detail."
But more officers just meant more people who could potentially be compromised.
That night, I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I just lay in bed, my hands on my stomach, feeling my babies move and praying I could keep them safe.
"We're going to get through this," Declan said, holding me close. "I promise."
But I could hear the doubt in his voice.
Around midnight, all the power in the house suddenly went out.
"It's probably just a blown fuse," Declan said, but he didn't sound convinced.
He got up and grabbed a flashlight from the nightstand.
"I'm going to check the breaker box. Stay here and lock the door behind me."
"Don't leave me," I begged, fear gripping my chest.
"I'll be right back," he promised. "Lock the door."
He left, and I immediately locked the door behind him, my heart pounding.
I heard his footsteps fade down the hallway.
Then I heard the sound of a door opening somewhere in the house.
A door that shouldn't be opening.
"Declan?" I called out softly.
No answer.
I grabbed my phone to call for help, but there was no signal. Someone had jammed it.
Then I heard footsteps in the hallway—light, careful
footsteps that definitely weren't Declan's.
Someone else was in the house.
I pressed the panic button beside my bed, praying the security company would respond quickly.
The footsteps stopped outside my door.
The doorknob began to turn.