Chapter 97

"You played me!"

Vivian's icy glare cut through Ethan. The sting of betrayal burned deeper than she'd admit.

All those days of playing nurse flashed through her mind. Catering to his every whim, fretting over nonexistent symptoms.

She'd been a complete fool.

Her pride lay shattered at his feet.

"Am I your pet? Was this your idea of entertainment?"

Vivian's fists clenched until her nails bit into her palms. "Enjoy your little victory. I'm done."

She stormed out without a backward glance.

Truth be told, part of her rushed exit was pure guilt.

She'd just declared him permanently paralyzed moments ago.

Ethan Blackwood never forgot a slight. He'd make her pay tenfold if she stayed.

Ethan moved to follow, but Cassandra's hand clamped around his arm. "You're still recovering," she cooed. "Rest is what you need."

His glacial stare dropped to her restraining fingers. The unspoken threat made her recoil instantly.

"I'm just concerned," she backpedaled, biting her lip. "But... there's something you should know about Vivian."

Ethan's expression remained impassive. "Unless you're certain, keep it to yourself."

Recent events had peeled back Cassandra's carefully constructed facade. He saw her clearly now.

Eleanor Whitmore snapped, "Mind your tone! She's carrying our heir. Stress affects the baby."

Of course Eleanor recognized Cassandra's games. But that pregnancy guaranteed her protection.

If only Vivian's womb hadn't failed after four years. Useless girl brought nothing but misfortune.

Eleanor's temper flared. "Well? Out with it!"

Cassandra produced her phone with theatrical hesitation. "A paparazzo friend caught this. I convinced him not to publish, but you deserve the truth."

The image ignited a storm in Ethan's eyes.

There stood Vivian, exiting the obstetric wing with Liam Osborne. Their intimate posture screamed lovers.

"That scheming witch is pregnant?" Eleanor's voice trembled with conflicting emotions.

Vivian's mall declaration about carrying Osborne twins suddenly took on new meaning. This humiliation would stain the Blackwood name.

Cassandra rushed to clarify, "The doctors said otherwise—"

Ethan's phone vibrated with a security alert. Vivian's car had just left the estate gates.

His smile turned predatory.

The hunt was on.