Chapter 2 - The Timeline
The sight of Elena’s dark eyes filled with sheer terror and physical agony shattered Adrian’s icy composure. He lunged toward the moving gurney, reaching out to grasp the metal side rail.
"Elena! What happened to you?!" Adrian demanded, his voice trembling violently as he matched the paramedics' fast pace. "Who did this to you?!"
"Sir, step back!" a nurse yelled, forcefully pushing Adrian away from the bed as they reached the double doors marked RESTRICTED SURGICAL SUITE. "She has severe preeclampsia and fluid in her lungs! We need to deliver this baby right now!"
The blue doors swung shut, locking automatically with a heavy mechanical click.
Adrian stood frozen against the wall. His mind raced frantically, calculating months, weeks, and days. They had been divorced for twenty-four months, but seven months after their signing, Elena had briefly returned to his apartment to sign final property release documents. They had shared one desperate, emotionally charged night together before she vanished again the following morning, leaving a note asking him never to search for her.
Nine months ago.
"She's carrying my child..." Adrian whispered, his jaw clenching so hard a muscle twitched beneath his light stubble.
Behind him, Madison stepped back in absolute shock, her brown ponytail swaying as she stared at his back. Her face twisted into a mixture of disgust and anger.
"Adrian, stop! What is wrong with you?" Madison snapped, her voice rising in panicked tension. "Who is she? Why are you acting like a madman over a random patient?!"
Adrian turned slowly toward Madison. His intense dark eyes were unreadable, filled with a cold, terrifying clarity.
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"She's not a random patient, Madison," Adrian said, his voice dropping to a low, trembling rage. "She is my ex-wife. And that baby inside her is mine."
Madison’s handbag slipped slightly from her shoulder. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out as the color drained from her cheeks.
