Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele

Chapter 39 Chapter 39

[Sydney)

When I saw Atlas' brother carrying Cordelia into the hallway like a fallen princess, I couldn't help but react. And then I had to cover up my shock with another excuse. I may have overdone it because now I am stuck in the sick room lying down on a cot with a heart monitor on my chest. They think I had a real panic

attack.

In truth, I almost did. For the amount of money I paid for those delivery men, you'd think they'd get the timing right! Because they jumped the gun, trying to snatch her too early, there wasn't enough distraction for them to successfully carry out the plan. Bad things always happen when you don't stick to the plan.

Pushing the buttons on my phone hard enough to bruise my fingers, I text them back demanding an explanation for their "failed delivery attempt."

"I demand a refund!" I added a second message. If they can't follow basic instructions, I'll reverse the transfer of funds. "Give me what I paid for!"

It takes a bit of back and forth, but eventually we are able to come to an amicable solution.

I send them a picture of Atlas as well as our seating arrangements for the fashion show. "I need you to make it look real." I explain as I go over the new plan. This time they wouldn't be trying to snatch her. Instead, they'd be working to take out her protectors. But I don't war "Don't mess this up!" I add as a final note. A returning ping on my phone confirms receipt of my instructions. A second ping confirms agreement to my terms.

Good. Maybe they'll get it right this time.

I'm still supposed to be asleep. Hiding my phone away just in time, I lay back just as I hear the sound of the curtain rattling on the rail separating my bed and Cordelia's.

"I thought I heard someone over there," Clark murmurs. "But it looks like it was nothing."

I hear Atlas ask about me, but when it is confirmed that I am still asleep, they lose interest, pulling the curtain closed once again.

Tilly comes in and tells the three of them that the fashion show is going to start in an hour and that

Say her away to get her ready for Cordelia's line is already gaining a lot of attention. She was about to the show and the party to follow, but the on-site nurse ask if she could stay behind for a little longer.

"She needs a bit more rest," the nurse insists. "She had quite a scare and her body is still in shock. I want to give her a chance to calm down before I run a few more tests." Atlas grumbles, but agrees to leave her be, taking both Tilly and Clark with him.

As soon as the room is silent, the nurse begins speaking to Cordelia in quiet, hushed tones.

"How far along are you," the

rse's tone is calm and professional.

"Just over two months," Cordelia confirms.

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Chapter 39

"And the father?" she asks, cautiously. "Is he helping you? Is he...?"

"He is no longer a part of my life. And before you ask, yes I intend to keep this baby." Father? Baby? Cordelia is pregnant!

"You should really let the father know about the child," the nurse scolds. "What if..."

"What I do or do not do with my body is my business," Cordelia barks back. "I am fully capable of raising this child by myself. He doesn't...he doesn't want us."

"I see," the nurse sighs. "Are you sure you want to keep it, it is not too late I can..."

"No," she is confident as she adds. "This baby is mine."

"If you are trying to hide the pregnancy, you should invest in looser clothing," the nurse recommends, "But I think you should tell someone soon. You shouldn't have to carry this knowledge alone....

More words are exchanged about daily exercise and diet, as well as the name of a prenatal doctor who is discrete. Cordelia gives her thanks and leaves and I am truly alone in the room.

The wheels in my mind start turning as I consider this new information and the possibilities it implies. A dark idea enters my thoughts and I decide to embrace it. Sometimes you need to do horrible deeds and make a great sacrifice for the sake of the greater good. "I'm sorry Atlas," I mumble to myself as I pick up my phone and send an email to my family doctor. "You'll forgive me later."

A few minutes later he sends me a list containing every over-the-counter medicine that might cause miscarriage if taken either accidentally or in high doses. (1)

Perfect.

I swing around, hopping off the bed and planting my feet on the floor. Searching on my phone I look for the nearest pharmacy.