Chapter 16
Sebastian is still trying to get in touch with Amara. The number you dialed is currently unavailable. Sebastian froze.
He stared at the screen as it had betrayed him. His thumb hovered, then pressed redial. The number you dialed is currently unavailable.
“No… no, no.” His voice came out rough. “Amara, pick up p>
Silence.
His chest tightened, panic crawling up his spine. Amara never turned her phone off. Never.
“I’m going to the hospital,” Seb said suddenly, already pulling on his coat, his movements sharp and frantic.
Elara looked up from the couch. “The hospital?” she thought, confused. She had done everything to make sure Amara was out of the way, so why does Seb still care about her? “Seb, where are you going? Seren wants you to tell her a story p>
“I don’t have time.” He buttoned his shirt with trembling fingers.
“Couldn’t you do it later?” Elara pressed softly. “She’s waiting.” Seb didn’t look at her. “I’ve got something to do p>
“Seb,” she said again, standing. “Seren wants to sleep with us tonight. You can go tomorrow.” That was when he turned.
His eyes were cold. Hard. Nothing like the man she clung to.
“Don’t try to pull any stunt,” Seb said flatly. “I gave you your position because of the baby. And because you saved my life.” His jaw clenched. “The only person I love is Amara p>
The words struck Elara like knives. Elara stood there, frozen, her heart hammering painfully against her ribs. So that’s all I am, she thought bitterly. A compromise. A mistake.
He only married me because of the baby. Because he believed I saved him. Her mind spiraled backward, six years ago.
It was raining that night. Screeching tires. Blood everywhere. Her hands were gripping the steering wheel, shaking. “Honey,” she had begged, eyes wild. “I was drunk. I caused the accident. Please… take the fall for me p>
She remembered him nodding. Remembered lying. She remembered seeing the woman who pulled Sebastian from the wreck. Covered in blood. Silent. Gone before anyone could ask her name.
She went missing. No one ever questioned it. No one ever knew. No one ever knew I stole her life. Elara swallowed hard.
Sebastian was already halfway down the stairs, dialing again. The number you dialed is currently unavailable.
“Why?” he muttered, his voice breaking now. “Why would your phone be off?” His hand gripped the railing as dread settled deep in his bones. For the first time in years, Sebastian Creed felt something slipping beyond his control.
“I have to go to the hospital,” Seb said, his hand already on the door.
“Dad.” He froze. Seren’s small voice floated behind him, soft and hopeful. “I want to get a gift for Mommy. Let’s visit her at the hospital tomorrow p>
Seb turned slowly, his heart tightening at the word Mommy.
“I’m already going,” he said gently. “I’ll go check on her. If she’s stable, then you can prepare the gift p>
Seren shook her head seriously, like a little adult who knew better. “Mommy is definitely asleep right now. She needs rest.” She walked closer and tugged lightly at his sleeve. “We can go tomorrow. Come on, Dad. Let’s go to bed p>
Seb hesitated.
“Mom enjoys the soup you make,” Seren continued, eyes shining. “Let’s bring soup and the gift tomorrow. And don’t forget roses. Roses always make her happy p>
Roses. His chest ached.
Elara stepped forward then, her voice calm, almost reasonable. “Yes, Seb. We’ll go tomorrow. Mrs. Creed is still angry. If you go now, you might only argue and make things worse p>
Seb looked at the door again.
Somewhere behind it was the woman who had stood by him when he had nothing. The woman who once said she would disappear if he ever lied to her.
She won’t, he told himself. She loves me too much.
“All right,” he finally said, his voice low. “We’ll go together tomorrow.” Tomorrow. He swallowed hard.
I miss you, Amara, he thought, a sharp ache spreading through his chest. I’ll make sure we stop fighting. I’ll buy you everything you love. I’ll let you scold me without saying a word.
Just wait for me. Seb turned away from the door. And in that single moment of hesitation, he chose tomorrow over now,
Back at the hospital, the door creaked open softly.
A nurse stepped in, holding Amara’s phone. “It rang earlier,” she said gently, placing it on the bedside table. “It’s fully charged now p>
“Thank you,” Amara replied, her voice calm, almost distant.
The nurse hesitated, then smiled kindly. “Try not to think too much, okay? You’ll have children in the future p>
Children. The word cut deeper than any blade.
“And,” the nurse added quietly, lowering her voice, “that man outside… he hasn’t moved an inch from the door since you were brought in p>
Amara’s fingers curled slowly into the bedsheet.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Thank you p>
“Get some rest,” the nurse said, heading for the door. “Call me if you feel unwell p>
The door closed. Silence rushed back in.
Amara stared at the ceiling, her eyes dry, her chest tight like something had collapsed inside and left nothing but rubble. I can’t accept this.
Her hand slid to her stomach instinctively, empty, aching.
I won’t be the only one suffering. Her lips trembled, but her voice never left her throat. You wanted this child as much as I did. Her grip tightened around the phone. Yet you killed him.
And now you’re out there… smiling. Living. Loving someone else.
Her screen lit up as she opened the gallery. The ultrasound image filled the display, small, fragile, undeniable proof of a life that had existed, if only briefly.
Her thumb hovered. Then she typed, each word steady, merciless. No explanation. No accusations. No tears.
Just the truth. She sent the pregnancy scan to Sebastian. And as the message was delivered, Amara closed her eyes, not in weakness, but in resolve.
If my world has burned to ashes, then you will finally feel the heat too.