Free Web NovelChapter 360: Chapter 360
Aria’s POV
Maria didn’t hesitate this time. She responded swiftly, “Asterfell Medical Center.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly, committing it to memory.
I had intentionally pushed Sophia into exposing Richard in front of everyone, tearing their fragile alliance apart. I just hadn’t expected Richard’s retaliation to be so swift.
One moment she ruined him. The next, she was hospitalized.
My lips pressed into a thin line.
If I was back in the Darvin family now, refusing to visit an injured adopted sister would draw suspicion. Appearances mattered, especially in packs built on lies.
I weighed my next question carefully.
Truthfully, most of what I wanted to know, I could already infer. Patrick and Clarence were cautious predators; they wouldn’t discuss their real plans in front of a housekeeper.
Before I could speak again, Nathan’s voice cut in. It was low, steady and Alpha-deep.
“Is Clarence pregnant?”
Maria stiffened instantly, far more uncomfortable with him than she’d been with me. Her scent spiked with anxiety.
I frowned and turned to Nathan.
He met my gaze calmly, his expression unreadable. Collins, as if anticipating the moment, produced a file from behind him and placed it neatly on the table.
“Ms. Darvin,” Collins said evenly, opening it. “You asked me to monitor Clarence’s movements. Through surveillance and location tracking, I identified someone matching her profile entering the obstetrics department at Asterfell General Hospital.”
He pointed and I leaned forward.
The footage was unmistakable, Clarence’s face was clear and sharp.
My eyes narrowed. I looked up slowly.
Nathan’s gaze remained cold and piercing, his authority pressing subtly against the space around him. He’d known the answer long before asking.
No wonder he’d gone straight for that question.
“Yes,” Maria finally said, voice trembling. “She’s been pregnant for some time now. Mr. Darvin doesn’t let her go out much. Most of her prenatal checkups are done by doctors who come to the apartment.”
She hesitated, then continued, guilt flickering across her face.
“Those people... they helped pay for my son’s surgery. I can’t lie about this.”
My furrowed brow gradually smoothed. So that was it.
My fingers pressed against the edge of the document, creasing the paper slightly under the strength I hadn’t realized I was using.
Clarence was pregnant.
My thoughts snapped together with chilling clarity.
Every move Patrick had made, every cruel task he’d pushed onto Sophia, every sacrifice that was demanded.
I squinted.
Sophia...She had been discarded long ago without even knowing it.
Alright. I gave Maria a small nod, catching the way her eyes kept flicking back to the untouched dishes on the table. The rich aroma of cooked meat still hung in the air, but none of us had really eaten. Tension had a way of killing appetite, even for wolves.
I lifted a hand and motioned for the waiter. “Please have everything packed up.”
Then I turned back to Maria, letting my smile soften, “I heard your son is receiving treatment at a public hospital in Asterfell,” I said lightly. “Was it Patrick who arranged it?”
The moment the words left my mouth, I felt her heartbeat stutter.
Before she could respond, I glanced toward Nathan. “Alpha Nathan, I’ll have these packed to go. This meal is on me.”
Nathan’s brows drew together slightly. “Do as you please,” he said coolly. “Collins has already settled the bill.”
I nodded, unbothered. “Sure,” I said with a polite smile, “You are certainly a true gentleman.”
“Pack everything up for this lady,” I instructed the waiter.
Maria’s earlier relief at the mention of leftovers evaporated. Her shoulders stiffened, and her smile froze in place.
Her eyes darted around the table, taking in Collins’s calm authority, Rowland’s lazy charm hiding sharp teeth, Nathan’s cold indifference. When her gaze landed back on me, I let my wolf retreat further, deliberately easing the pressure.
“Don’t worry,” I said gently, meeting her eyes. “I’m only asking. I won’t harm your child.”
That part wasn’t a lie. My wolf would never allow it.
Collins cleared his throat. “Answer Ms. Aria’s question.”
Maria swallowed hard. “Yes,” she said finally, her voice low. “About half a month ago, Mr. Darvin found me in Duckspire. He said he could arrange treatment for my son at a large hospital in Asterfell... but I had to work as a caretaker for a while.” ƒгeewёbnovel.com
I nodded in understanding, just as the waiter returned, stacking the packed food neatly on the table.
“Ma’am, everything’s ready.”
I pushed the boxes toward Maria. “Take them with you.”
She hesitated, looking at Collins again. When he nodded, she gathered the boxes quickly, murmured her thanks, and left.
Outside, Maria flagged down a taxi instead of heading straight home. I knew she must be going to see her son.
I watched through the glass as she disappeared down the street, then picked up my phone and sent Amelia a message.
She was already outside with Chloe. I had informed them earlier of the new development and asked them to meet me at the restaurant and wait outside.
> Have Chloe follow her. I want the exact hospital and the room number.
> Got it.
Amelia replied. Satisfied, I set the phone down and looked at Nathan.
“Thank you,” I said sincerely. “I appreciate your help.”
Even though we were divorced, I could feel the tension in him. His jaw tightened and his eyes darkened.
He said nothing.
That silence was heavier than words.
I inclined my head, sensing the awkwardness stretching thin, and rose to leave. Rowland immediately stood too and followed me. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
“Wait.”
Nathan’s voice stopped me just as I was about to leave. I turned back.
