Chapter 15 - Midnight Betrayal
With the final remnants of the Falcone syndicate swept away, absolute peace settled over the city. The story of Royce Calloway’s clean transition out of the underground and into pure corporate philanthropy was praised nationwide.
One month later, Della entered her eighth month of pregnancy. Her health was fantastic, her spirit vibrant, and her love for Royce grew deeper with every passing day.
The date of their grand wedding was set for the following month, scheduled to take place at the historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral, followed by a lavish reception at the Ashworth Grand Hotel—the very place where their story had reignited in shattered glass.
One evening, Della was sitting in the estate's sunroom, writing hand-written thank-you notes for baby shower gifts sent by charity supporters from across the country.
The door opened, and Mrs. Higgins walked in, holding a small silver tray with a sealed letter.
"Miss Della, this letter just arrived by courier," Mrs. Higgins said kindly. "It was marked urgent and personal from the St. Jude's Medical Board."
Della frowned slightly, setting her pen down. "From the medical board?"
She opened the envelope and pulled out a letter on official hospital stationery. As her eyes scanned the lines, her face turned pale.
The letter stated that due to a rare blood type discrepancy found during her recent prenatal testing, her baby girl was at immediate risk of severe hemolytic complications unless an specialized intrauterine transfusion was administered within forty-eight hours.
At the bottom of the letter was a signature from Doctor Evans, her trusted personal obstetrician.
Panicked, Della immediately grabbed her phone to call Royce, who was currently at a corporate summit downtown. But as she dialed, she looked at the clock—it was 8:30 PM, and Royce was giving his keynote speech live on national television.
Not wanting to cause a public scene or disrupt his massive summit, Della decided to call Doctor Evans directly.
The phone rang twice before Doctor Evans picked up.
"Miss Marsh!" Doctor Evans said, his voice sounding oddly rushed and strained. "Did you receive my letter?"
"Doctor Evans, yes!" Della said, her hand trembling over her stomach. "Is my baby in danger? What is happening?!"
"It is a rare complication, Miss Marsh," Doctor Evans said quickly. "We need you to come to the private west wing clinic at St. Jude’s immediately for a secondary blood panel. Do not delay. Please come through the private rear entrance—I will meet you there myself."
"I... I will come right away!" Della said, her motherly instincts blinding her to any suspicion.
She quickly instructed one of the estate drivers to take her to St. Jude’s Hospital, taking two security guards with her.
Twenty minutes later, the SUV pulled into the quiet, dimly lit rear entrance of the hospital's old west wing. The area was quiet, isolated from the main emergency building.
Della stepped out, flanked by her two guards.
Doctor Evans was standing near the double glass doors, looking nervous, sweating profusely in his white coat.
"Doctor Evans!" Della said, hurrying toward him. "Is the laboratory ready?"
"Yes... yes, Miss Marsh, right this way," Doctor Evans stammered, avoiding eye contact as he led her down a quiet, deserted corridor.
As they walked past an empty operating room, the security guards suddenly stopped as the heavy electronic doors behind them slammed shut, locking automatically!
"Hey! What's going on?!" one guard shouted, rattling the door handle.
Della turned around in shock. "Doctor Evans, why did the doors lock?!"
Doctor Evans backed away, his face pale with immense guilt. "I'm sorry, Miss Marsh... I'm so sorry! They forced me! They held my family hostage!"
Before Della could react, two men in dark suits stepped out from a side room!
Standing behind them was a woman dressed in a dark hoodie, pulling down her mask to reveal her face.
Della gasped in horror, stepping back until her back hit the cold wall.
It was Cordelia Vance!
Cordelia’s eyes were bloodshot, manic, filled with unhinged insanity. She had somehow escaped from the federal transit van while being moved to the state penitentiary earlier that afternoon!
"Hello, little maid," Cordelia sneered, pulling a gleaming surgical scalpel from her pocket. "Did you really think you could win?"
Della clutched her stomach in absolute terror, her heart hammering against her ribs. "Cordelia... you're insane! The police are looking for you everywhere!"
May you like
"I don't care about the police!" Cordelia shrieked, her voice echoing maniacally in the quiet hallway. "You took my wealth, my family, my future, and my freedom! You stole Royce from me! If I am going to prison for the rest of my life, I am taking your baby with me!"
Cordelia raised the sharp scalpel and lunged directly toward Della’s abdomen!
