Chapter 17

Angela POV

"I'm ready," I told Sophie over the phone. "See you in thirty minutes."

It had been three days since our coffee shop conversation. After my sleepless night, I felt both exhausted and strangely calm. The decision was made - there was no point in tormenting myself anymore.

When Sophie arrived at our penthouse, Sean was just stepping out of his private study.

"Going somewhere?" Sean's eyes moved between Sophie and me.

"None of your business." Sophie's voice could have frozen the Hudson.

Sean's jaw tightened. "Angela hasn't been well. She should be resting at home, not going out."

"Oh, now you care about her health?" Sophie's laugh was brittle.

"Have you ever wondered why she's not well? She was on the gymnastics team in college, remember? The healthiest girl I knew. But look at her now - she's lost so much weight since marrying you, getting weaker by the day. Is this how the great Shaw family takes care of its own?"

I felt my heart rate spike. Sophie had been furious since I told her about my plans, and now I could see that anger bubbling to the surface. One wrong word about the pregnancy, and everything would fall apart.

"That's enough." I cut in, my voice sharper than intended. "We're going to be late."

I practically dragged Sophie toward the elevator, feeling Sean's gaze boring into my back. Only when we were safely in Sophie's Mercedes did I let out the breath I'd been holding.

"He deserved worse," Sophie muttered, pulling into traffic with more force than necessary. "The way he's treating you-"

"Please," I interrupted. "I can't... I can't think about him right now."

The private clinic was hidden in an elegant suburban mansion, with only a small brass plaque marking its presence. Everything about it spoke of discretion and luxury.

"Why here?" Sophie asked quietly. "We could have gone to New York-Presbyterian or Mount Sinai. They have the best facilities."

"Too many familiar faces." I stared at my perfectly manicured hands, focusing on keeping them steady. "Elizabeth's entire social circle practically lives at those hospitals' charity boards."

The receptionist called my name - my real name, not Mrs. Shaw - and led us to a private consultation room. The doctor was younger than I expected, with kind eyes and a gentle manner.

"Two month along," she confirmed, reviewing my paperwork. "The procedure is relatively simple at this stage. We can schedule it for-"

"Today," I cut in. "It needs to be today." I couldn't bear to drag this out any longer.

The doctor's eyes flickered between Sophie and me. "There's a mandatory waiting period-"

"I understand the risks. I've made my decision."

Sophie's phone buzzed, breaking the tension. She glanced at it, frowning, then declined the call. Seconds later, it buzzed again.

"Take it," I said softly. "It might be important."

"Nothing's more important than-"

"Sophie." I managed a small smile. "I'll be fine for a few minutes."

After Sophie left, I went to the restroom. The corridor was filled with well-dressed women, barely any men in sight. Everyone kept to themselves, lost in their own thoughts. The silence spoke volumes - each woman here carried her own secret, her own burden.

My hand drifted to my still-flat stomach. I'm sorry, I thought. I'm so sorry.

"Angela? Is that you?"

The voice made my blood run cold. I turned to find Rachel Miller - Shaw family friend, society gossip, and Elizabeth's bridge partner - standing in the doorway.

"Rachel." I forced my features into a polite smile. "What a surprise."

"Isn't it just?" Her perfectly lined eyes swept over my figure. "I never expected to see you here, of all places. Nothing serious, I hope? Nothing that the Shaw family lawyers should know about?"

"I'm just accompanying a friend," I said calmly.

"Oh?" Rachel's perfectly lined eyes narrowed. "I don't see any friend with you. You know, Elizabeth always speaks so highly of you... I hope you're not keeping any secrets from her?"

Anger flared in my chest. "Mrs. Miller, be careful with your accusations. I could sue you for defamation."

Rachel's expression quickly shifted to a practiced smile. "Dear, I was just joking. Why so defensive? Unless you're-"

Before she could finish, a young girl emerged from one of the consultation rooms. My heart stopped - it was Rachel's daughter, Jessica. She looked pale, clutching what appeared to be a medical report.

"Mom?" Jessica's voice trembled slightly when she saw Rachel.

The color drained from Rachel's face. Mother and daughter stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken words.

I could guess why Jessica was here - she must be pregnant too. While I usually had no interest in other people's private affairs, I felt compelled to speak before Rachel could leave.

"Rachel," I said in a low voice. "Don't tell anyone about seeing me here today."

I knew her gossiping nature well, and how she always competed with Elizabeth behind the scenes. But Rachel's lips curled into a sneer.

"Who do you think you are to threaten me?"

"I'm sure you wouldn't want anyone to know about Jessica's pregnancy either," I replied coolly. "She's only just started college, isn't she? And not married..."

Rachel's face contorted with rage before she stormed off, practically dragging Jessica with her.

Sophie returned shortly after, leading me to the reception desk to handle the pre-procedure paperwork. As we waited, raised voices caught my attention. In the corner of the waiting area, Rachel and Jessica were having a heated argument.

"You can't keep this baby!" Rachel's voice was shrill despite her attempt to keep it down. "That boy is penniless - he'll never be able to give you the life you deserve!"

"But we're in love!" Jessica's eyes were brimming with tears. "I want to keep this baby. It's a living being - your grandchild! How can you be so cruel?"

Before Rachel could respond, Jessica turned and ran out of the clinic, leaving her mother standing there helplessly. Their argument left me unsettled, stirring up the doubts I'd been trying so hard to suppress.

A sudden scream from the operating floor above made me flinch, the sound cutting through the artificial calm of the waiting room.

As the chaos of emotions threatened to overwhelm me, my phone buzzed with a text message. I opened it:

"Angela, I need to see you. Just the two of us. We need to talk. -Christina"