Chapter 15
In the UK, the moment Kingsley hung up, he dialed Shane’s number.
Shane picked up immediately, his voice as respectful as ever. “Mr. Sherwood p>
“Pass a message to every major hospital,” Kingsley’s voice was hard as flint. “Anyone who dares to perform an abortion for Lucy is declaring war on the Sherwood family p>
Shane’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes, sir, I’ll handle it immediately p>
“Also,” Kingsley ordered, “Book the earliest flight back p>
“Understood!” Shane answered crisply, then hesitated before adding, “Mr. Fletcher left a message when departing The Vista Gardens. He said… he was the one taking Mrs. Sherwood, and it had nothing to do with the staff. He hopes you won’t punish them p>
Shane deliberately softened the sharp edges of Thurston’s original words.
Kingsley let out a cold snort, dripping with unmasked mockery. “Tell him if he sends Lucy back, everything is negotiable. Otherwise, there’s nothing to talk about p>
“Yes,” Shane replied simply.
Kingsley ended the call and made his way to the minibar. He poured a glass of red wine, watching the crimson liquid swirl. His thumb stroked the cool surface of the glass, his expression dark and unreadable.
Moments later, he picked up his phone and typed a message to Thurston: “Thurston, if that child is lost, I will settle the debt with you and your wife p>
Almost instantly, Thurston replied with a voice message.
Kingsley pressed play. Thurston’s voice came through, just as fierce: “If my marriage ends because of this, Kingsley, I’ll kill you p>
Kingsley downed the wine in one gulp, a tempest raging in his eyes as his Adam’s apple bobbed. He set the empty glass on the counter, then he walked to the sofa and lit a cigarette.
Amidst the swirling smoke, he sat motionless, chain-smoking as embers glowed and faded.
He remained there until the pale gray light of dawn broke through the window. By then, the ashtray was piled high with a mountain of cigarette butts, buried in cold ash.
Jane took Lucy straight to her own home. She turned to Thurston, who had followed them in. “Go to work p>
Thurston nodded. His gaze lingered briefly on Lucy before he turned to Jane. “Call me if anything happens p>
Jane felt as if something was squeezing her heart, causing a sharp, prickly pain.
She turned, poured a glass of water, and handed it over, her voice incredibly soft. “Lucy, drink some water p>
Lucy took it, took a few small sips, and set it down, her knuckles white. “Jane, go ahead and do what you need to do. I’ll be fine on my own.” Her voice was faint, laced wit exhaustion.
Jane shook her head firmly. “The company won’t collapse without me. How about I
go with you to the hospital for a checkup this afternoon p>
Lucy instinctively touched her lower abdomen. A tiny life was growing there, but her heart felt like it was submerged in ice water aching with cold. This child had come at a terrible time.
She murmured a soft “Okay” and whispered, “Please make an appointment for me p>
Jane nodded, then hesitated. “After that… what do you plan to do p>
“Get rid of the baby. Divorce,” Lucy said, her voice suddenly hardening, her eyes freezing over, devoid of any past tenderness.
Jane stepped forward and hugged her gently, rubbing her back. “Whatever you decide, I support you p>
Lucy rested her head on Jane’s shoulder, her nose stinging as tears threatened to fall again.
In all the world, the people who had ever shown her genuine kindness were so few she could count them on one hand: her late mother, Jane, and Qtd Mrs. Sherwood, whom she’d met only a handful of times but whose kindness had been brief yet profound.