Chapter 54
Trailing her all the way to a secluded area near the morgue, Maeve noticed Zoe come to a sudden halt. She lightened her footsteps and concealed herself behind a wall.
Moments later, a man in a silver-gray suit appeared beside Zoe.
His back was facing Maeve, obscuring his features.
All she could tell was that he was tall, towering over Zoe by a full head.
The moment they met, he pulled Zoe into a desperate embrace.
Maeve’s eyes widened slowly.
Her brain nearly short-circuited at the sight.
But the very next second, Zoe shoved the man away violently, her voice bordering on hysterical.
“Didn’t I tell you to stop coming to see me p>
The man kept his voice low, and Maeve could only pick up scattered fragments.
“The baby… worried p>
Zoe remained fiercely agitated.
“You just can’t stand seeing me live a good life, can you p>
“If you actually care about me, then disappear forever p>
The man grabbed Zoe’s hand, hunching forward as he spoke, his posture completely submissive.
Gradually, Zoe seemed to calm down, her voice dropping to a whisper.
From where she stood, Maeve couldn’t make out their conversation.
But judging from their physical dynamic, their relationship was far from ordinary.
Just as Maeve was trying to piece it together, the man abruptly turned his head.
It was a casual glance, and he quickly looked away again.
But in that fleeting second, Maeve saw his face perfectly. Her eyes widened even further, her pupils shrinking in pure shock.
The man holding Zoe was none other than her stepbrother, Tristan Kingsley.
Tristan had attended Zoe and Felix’s wedding, so Maeve recognized him immediately.
Yet Zoe had always complained to the Fairchilds that Tristan despised her, painting her life in the Kingsley household as a miserable, suffocating ordeal.
If that were true, why was she being so intimate with him?
Her instincts flaring, Maeve reflexively pulled the camera from her bag, aiming the lens right at them.
She didn’t care about the risk anymore.
She needed to document this anomaly. Who knew when it might come in handy?
But before her finger could press the shutter, a sharp ‘snap’ echoed loudly in her ears.
Maeve instantly looked down at the dry twig she had just crushed under her shoe, and Tristan’s sharp bark rang through the air.
“Who’s there p>
Footsteps marched aggressively in her direction.
Her heart leaping into her throat, Maeve gripped the camera tight, yanked her cap down, and bolted.
When Tristan reached the corner, the intruder was gone. But a small red lucky charm dropped on the ground proved they had definitely been watched.
Zoe hurried over and bent down to pick it up. A flash of malicious recognition flickered through her eyes as she recognized the trinket.
Noticing her expression, Tristan frowned. “Someone you know p>
Zoe avoided a direct answer, clutching the red charm tightly in her fist.
“Stay out of this. I’ll handle it p>
Tristan opened his mouth to argue, but Zoe suddenly turned to him, gently wrapping her arms around his waist. Her voice was incredibly soft, masking the deep disgust swirling in her eyes.
“Tristan, I’m begging you. Just stay away for a little while, okay? Once everything heres settled, I’ll move back home and spend proper time with you p>
Tristan was powerless against her sweet demeanor, his harsh expression instantly melting.
“Alright. Whatever you say p>
The hospital lobby.
Zoe walked up to Frederick, offering an apologetic smile.
“I’m so sorry, Frederick. The restroom line is a bit difficult when you’re pregnant. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long p>
“It’s fine.” Frederick stood up from the bench.
“Are you ready for the checkup now p>
“Yes.” She walked shoulder to shoulder with him toward the examination wing.