Chapter 33
"No," Chase said, his body going rigid as he straightened his posture. "The initial investigation showed that the sperm sample you left at the hospital was indeed used. However, according to the only record we could find, one fetus was lost in a miscarriage."
He spoke carefully, cautiously observing Edward's expression. Chase had been just as shocked when he first learned of it. If the previous fetus had miscarried, then who was this little girl named Yara? Furthermore, Ms. Spencer's name was nowhere on the record. Could it be that Mr. Windsor...
"Was that original sample ever circulated outside the hospital?" Edward's brow furrowed. "Investigate if anyone else underwent in vitro fertilization during that same time period."
Records could be altered, but the hospital Victoria had visited would certainly have kept files. He didn't believe his intuition was wrong, which left only one possibility: someone had covered up the truth. A frigid glint flashed in Edward's eyes, and the atmosphere around him turned glacial.
Chase swallowed hard, struggling to maintain his composure. "I've already sent people to look into it. We should have results within two days, but we might encounter some resistance from the hospital."
Meanwhile, Xanthe finally agreed to give Victoria a salary advance.
"See if this is enough for the surgery. If it's not, I can lend you a little more," Xanthe said, her usual stern demeanor replaced by a gentle warmth. "Don't panic. Your daughter is going to be okay."
She had a five-year-old daughter of her own. As a mother, she understood exactly what a child meant to Victoria. Besides, she had always admired her diligent and capable subordinate; helping where she could was the least she could do.
Victoria froze for a moment at her words.
A shimmer of moisture welled in her beautiful eyes, turning the rims slightly red.
She clutched the hem of her dress, managing a grateful smile. "Ms. Garcia, thank you. This is more than enough. You've already done so much for me. I can handle the rest."
She had never imagined that after breaking free from Aiden, she would be met with so much kindness. Veda, Delta, Xanthe… The past few years of suppression and belittlement felt like a long, suffocating nightmare. Now, she had finally woken up and returned to the real world.
After a bit more conversation, Victoria left the office, clutching the slip for her salary advance.
Today was Owen's routine check-up. The usually quiet hospital room was now crowded with medical staff, surrounded by an array of diagnostic equipment. Edward stood at the doorway, rubbing his temples to ease the dull ache. "What are the results?"
He had rushed to the hospital as soon as he finished his work. Rhea wasn't feeling well today, which left him as the only one who could come and keep an eye on things. Although he trusted the hospital staff, he still felt the need to see for himself.
"Mr. Windsor has been following medical advice, and his condition is relatively stable. However, his blood sugar is still a bit high, so further treatment is required," the doctor replied, flipping through the chart with a practiced, formulaic tone. "If there's time, it would be best for someone to take Mr. Windsor out for a walk. A change of scenery might help his condition."
Edward's expression didn't flicker. "I understand," he answered coolly.
The doctor, not daring to get any closer, stopped bothering him and turned to give instructions to a nearby caregiver. Edward turned to leave, but his gaze fell on a familiar direction—Yara's ward.
His steps faltered.
In a rare break from his routine, he turned and began walking that way. He wanted to see for himself what kind of child had so captivated Rhea.
The corridor was silent, the sound of his leather shoes on the polished floor unnervingly distinct. As he drew closer, his detached gaze settled on the small glass window of the room, through which he could vaguely make out the scene inside. He came to a slow stop.
It wasn't time for rounds yet, so there were no nurses in the room. The little girl he wanted to see was sitting quietly on the hospital bed, completely absorbed in a picture book.
So, that was Yara.
Edward's thin lips pressed into a firm line, his eyes fixed on the small face that was at once so familiar and yet so strange. Now he understood why Rhea had been so insistent. The resemblance was uncanny. It was simply too much to be a coincidence. He pulled his gaze away, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
Her appearance alone was enough to convince him that she was his child.
But then, what about the report? It seemed he had more digging to do. Edward lowered his gaze, turned away from the window, and headed for the elevator.
On the other side of town, Veda's voice shot up several octaves. "What?! That bastard Aiden is making you pay for the surgery yourself? Has he lost his mind? Yara is his child too! What the hell is he trying to pull? And he still wants custody? In his dreams!"
Victoria offered a bitter smile. "But he has the kidney donor lined up, Veda. I have no choice. All I want is for Yara to be safe."
Nothing else mattered to her right now. She just wanted Yara to be healthy and whole again, and for that, she would give anything.
Veda, guessing her thoughts, sighed in resignation. "You're always like this. I swear, I don't know what to do with you." She waved a dismissive hand. "How much more do you need? I'll lend it to you. You can pay me back whenever you have the money. After all we've been through, don't you dare try to be polite with me."
The words Victoria had been about to say caught in her throat. Her gaze softened as she blinked. "Veda, I love you so much. What would I do without you?"
They laughed together for a moment, and the knot of anxiety in Victoria's chest finally began to loosen. With Veda's help, she had finally gathered all the money.
Taking a long, deep breath, Victoria stood by the window in her room, her gaze fixed on the world outside for a few quiet seconds. Then, her expression hardening with resolve, she took out her phone and dialed. This time, she was going to lock down a date for Yara's surgery.
The phone rang for a long while before it was finally answered.
"Aiden, I have the money for the surgery. When are you scheduling it for Yara?" Victoria's tone was cold and hard. "And don't even think about making any other excuses. I won't listen."
But unexpectedly, it wasn't the familiar voice that answered. Instead, a different, gratingly cloying one came through the line.
"You can just forget about it," Bianca cooed, her voice laced with mockery. "You didn't really think you could use a child to get back into the Smith family, did you? Stop dreaming. Even with that kid, you'll always be a good-for-nothing."
Victoria had heard these taunts so many times that they had lost their sting. She remained perfectly still. "If you're so confident, then what are you worried about now? Aren't you already Mrs. Smith? Oh, I know."
"What do you know?" Bianca snapped, her irritation palpable.
Victoria's voice turned viciously sweet. "Aiden can't have children of his own. That's why you're panicking, isn't it?"