Chapter 18

Angela POV

Moments later, Christina sent the meeting address: La Bohème Café on Madison Avenue. 2 PM. -Christina

Sophie glanced at the message and cursed. "She has some nerve! After everything... Angela, you can't seriously be considering meeting her?"

"I have to know what she wants."

"What she wants?" Sophie's laugh was bitter. "She wants your husband, your life, everything you've built these past two years. Did Sean tell her about the baby? Is that why she's suddenly so eager to talk?"

I moved my hand to my stomach. "I don't know if Sean told her about the pregnancy."

Just then, a nurse approached us. "Mrs. Shaw, I'm sorry, but all surgeries are fully booked today. You'll need to make another appointment."

For some reason, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Sophie seemed pleased too.

"Maybe it's fate," Sophie said softly. "Maybe you should think about this a bit more." She looked at my pale face. "Come on, I'll drive you home. You need rest."

Back home, I lay in bed trying to rest, but my mind kept wandering. The scene I'd witnessed at the clinic earlier kept replaying in my thoughts - Jessica Miller's tearful defense of her unborn child.

Lying there, I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd witnessed at the clinic. The words kept echoing in my mind: "This is a life... this is a life..."

For the first time, I truly let myself feel the reality of the life growing inside me. Not just a problem to be solved, but a baby. My baby. Sean's baby.

"Angela?" Sophie's voice pulled me back to the present. "Promise me you won't meet with Christina alone. Whatever she has to say, she can say it with witnesses present."

"Don't worry, Sophie. I'll be fine," I assured her with a small smile. "Thank you for everything today."

Sophie hesitated for a moment, clearly concerned, but finally nodded and left.

After she left, my phone kept ringing non-stop. I glanced at the screen - all unknown numbers. I knew it must be Christina. Without bothering to answer any of them, I turned off my phone.

I was exhausted and drifted off to sleep without realizing it. A knock at the door woke me up. Looking out the window, I could see it was already afternoon. I opened the door to find Sarah standing there.

"Mrs. Shaw? Miss Jordan is here to see you. She... she's quite insistent."

Of course Christina would show up unannounced. This was her style - forcing situations, demanding attention. I took a deep breath. "Show her to the living room. I'll be right there."

When I entered the living room, Christina was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking impeccable as always in an elegant white dress. She turned with practiced grace, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes already in place.

"Angela, darling. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice."

Sarah walked in with a plate of freshly cut fruits, while Christina brought over an iced coffee from the kitchen.

"Thank you, Sarah," Christina smiled with a sense of superiority. "I must say, Angela, you've trained the maid quite well. When I move in, it'll save me the trouble of finding new household staff."

Her tone made my stomach turn - she was already acting like she owned the place, like she was the rightful mistress of this home.

Just then, Sarah's voice rang out deliberately loud and clear: "Mrs. Shaw, you've only just recovered from your fever. Mr. Shaw specifically emphasized that you shouldn't have anything cold." She turned to me with genuine concern. "Let me brew you some hot tea instead."

I shot Sarah a grateful look, knowing full well she'd said that intentionally for Christina's benefit. Sarah had been with the Shaw family for years, and her loyalty meant more to me than she knew.

Christina's face darkened momentarily at this reminder of Sean's care for me, but she quickly masked it with another practiced smile.

"Shall we move to the terrace? The view is lovely this time of day."

Her words made my chest tighten - she knew this apartment's layout intimately, had probably spent countless hours here before I moved in.

It was a subtle power play, and I knew exactly what she was doing.

"I believe this will make things easier for everyone," Christina said softly, pulling out an envelope and holding it out to me.

"What is this?" I asked, staring at the envelope.

"Why don't you open it and see?" Christina's smile didn't waver.

I opened the envelope with unsteady fingers. Inside was a check from the Jordan Family Medical Foundation.

Three million dollars. The amount was so large it made my breath catch in my throat.

"What exactly is this for?" I barely managed to whisper.

Christina's expression remained carefully neutral. "I think we both know what it's for, Angela. This is me trying to help you do the right thing - for everyone involved."

"The right thing?" My fingers tightened on the check. "And what exactly do you think that is?"

"Come now, Angela. You're an intelligent woman. You must understand that your... current situation... complicates things unnecessarily."

"Say it plainly," my voice had gone ice-cold. "What exactly are you trying to buy?"

Christina sighed, as if explaining something to a particularly slow child. "I'm offering you a clean break. A way to handle this... delicate matter... with dignity."

I looked at her with suspicious eyes.

Could she know about my pregnancy? My heart started beating faster at the thought.