Chapter 515

Olivia's breath hitched when Sebastian Whitmore appeared in the hospital corridor. Her pulse quickened when she noticed Liam Blackwood standing beside him. How much had they overheard? Behind his medical mask, Liam's piercing gaze held unreadable depths as it locked onto hers.

Her fingers clenched around the medical report until the edges crumpled. Every instinct screamed at her to flee. Sebastian's jaw tightened as he turned toward Evelyn, whose defiant posture radiated hostility. His voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "Have you forgotten our agreement? You're carrying my child now. Must you always speak with such poison?"

Tears shimmered in Evelyn's eyes as she bit her quivering lip. Playing the wounded victim perfectly, she hissed, "I'm merely stating facts! Aren't you shocked about Olivia's condition? Why defend her? Is that your bastard she's carrying?" The venomous words barely carried beyond their immediate circle.

Olivia couldn't look away from Liam's masked face. His silence was more unnerving than any outburst. What thoughts lay behind that impassive facade?

Sebastian's control snapped. "One more word and I'll have you shipped back to your parents tonight. My debt to you doesn't grant license to manipulate me. Push me further and you'll regret it."

Evelyn's bravado shattered. She shrunk into herself, shoulders hunched in fearful submission. After subduing his wife, Sebastian forced a conciliatory smile toward Olivia and Liam. "My apologies. Pregnancy hormones have made Evelyn... volatile. The baby's complications exacerbate her distress. Any offense caused is my responsibility."

Olivia's eyes widened. Sebastian and Evelyn were expecting? She knew their marriage was arranged, but a child? The torment in Sebastian's expression revealed this wasn't a joyful development. Not her circus, not her monkeys, Olivia decided.

As Sebastian led Evelyn away, the pregnant woman threw one last glance over her shoulder. Her icy stare lingered on Olivia's abdomen, predatory and calculating. Olivia suppressed a shudder.

Alone with Liam now, Olivia searched his face. "Why are you here with Sebastian?"

"I went to your penthouse," Liam admitted. "Isabelle said you'd gone to Mercy Hospital. Trent mentioned you weren't feeling well." His gaze dropped to the crumpled report in her hands. "We ran into Sebastian at admissions."

Her knuckles whitened around the paper. "How much did you hear?"

Liam's eyes crinkled with hidden amusement. "If you'd prefer me to play deaf, darling, just say the word—"