Clara’s POVI stared at the message from my father for a full minute before the words even registered.“Family dinner. Friday. Marcus will be there. Don’t be late. We need to discuss certain matters as a unit.”As a unit.I almost laughed. The man had spent the last three years treating me like a decorative piece he could move around the board whenever it suited him, and now suddenly we were a unit? Because cousin Marcus was in town looking all humble and family-oriented?Please.I tossed the phone onto the couch and walked to the mirror, smoothing the front of my dress even though no one was here to see it. The pregnancy story had bought me time. Sympathy. A little public softness around Ace’s coldness. But time was running out. Ace barely answered my calls. He kept looking at me like I was a problem he was already halfway finished solving. And Marcus… Marcus had shown up with that soft smile and those careful questions about “how the family was holding up,” and every instinct I

Marcus’s POVI stood by the wide window of my study, phone pressed to my ear, watching the city lights flicker like they belonged to me already.“Talk,” I said.The voice on the other end was low, careful. “We’ve increased the surveillance like you ordered. Three extra units on Sinclair’s movements. Two on the woman—Lena. Live feeds are active. You’ll get updates every hour unless something breaks.”I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “And the trainer? Jacobi.”“Still digging. He’s careful, as expected. He doesn’t leave trails like the others. But we’ve got eyes on the places he frequents. If he slips, we’ll definitely let you know.”“Good.” I turned away from the window and walked slowly toward the far wall. “I want more than eyes. I want patterns. Who he talks to. How long he stays. If Sinclair is leaning on him harder than before. No gaps.”“Understood. You’ll have the next drop within the hour.”I ended the call without another word and slipped the phone into my pocket.The v

Marcus’s POVThe dining room smelled like roasted lamb and old money. Crystal glasses caught the light from the chandelier every time someone moved. I sat where my aunt had placed me, which was between Clara and her father, smiling like I had nowhere else in the world I would rather be.“More wine, Marcus?” my aunt asked, already reaching for the bottle.“Just a little,” I said, keeping my voice warm. “Everything tastes better when the company’s this good.”Clara’s father gave a small approving nod. He had always liked manners. Clara sat stiffly on my other side, pushing food around her plate more than eating it. She had worn the soft blue dress that made her look younger, more vulnerable. Smart choice. It just wasn’t going to be enough tonight.I turned slightly toward her father. “I have to say, Uncle, the way you’ve held the company steady through the last few years is impressive. Not many men could manage that kind of pressure and still keep the family’s name clean.”He set his

Ace’s POVThe private clinic sat on a quiet side street with no signage beyond a small brass number on the door. I had chosen it for a reason. It had no hospital records, no curious staff. Just a man who owed me a favor and knew how to keep his mouth shut.I waited in the small consultation room until the door opened. Dr. Rahman stepped in, closed it behind him, and gave me a short nod. “Mr. Sinclair.”“Doctor.”He sat across from me and opened a thin folder. “You asked for discretion. You’ll have it. But I need you to be clear about what you want.”I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “Clara has been publicly and privately claiming she’s pregnant. I need to know if it’s real. Not rumors. Not her word, I need Actual confirmation.”Rahman studied me for a moment. “You understand that without her direct participation, things like bloodwork, ultrasound, proper examination I can’t give you a medical certainty.”“I’m not asking for certainty yet,” I said. “I’m asking for a starting point

Lena’s POVI kept my head down as I walked into the hospital, bag over one shoulder, trying to look like any other visitor. My pulse still kicked harder the closer I got to the room.Kamsy was already there, curled in the chair beside Mom’s bed with a textbook open on her lap. She looked up when I entered and gave me a tired smile.“Hey,” she said softly. “You just missed the doctor. He said her vitals are steadier this week.”I crossed the room and leaned down to kiss Mom’s forehead. Her skin felt cool. The machines beeped in their steady, indifferent rhythm. I hated how normal it had all become.“That’s good,” I murmured. Then I turned to Kamsy and pulled her into a quick hug. “You eating? You look thinner.”She rolled her eyes, but there was no real annoyance in it. “I’m fine. The cafeteria food is just trash. I brought fruit from home.”I sat on the edge of the second chair and took her hand for a second. “I need you to be careful coming and going, okay? No late nights here alone