The Silent Womb's Revenge

Chapter 18

Jacob Williams yanked the IV needle from the back of his hand, blood instantly welling up. He wiped it away carelessly and strode straight toward the maternity ward.

The antiseptic smell in the corridor burned his nostrils. He searched room by room until he finally spotted Victoria Taylor near the elevators, one hand supporting her lower back.

"Victoria."

The woman turned, studying his swollen face for a long moment before recognition dawned. "Jacob? What happened to—"

"Ethan Sullivan's handiwork." He forced a smile. "You're close, aren't you?"

Victoria instinctively shielded her belly, taking two steps back. "What do you want?"

"Relax." Jacob's voice softened abruptly. "The Sullivans won't abandon their only heir."

He stepped closer. "After everything I did for you... Now that my sister is gone—"

"Oh, begging for mercy?" Victoria relaxed, tilting her chin up smugly. "Don't worry. I always keep my promises."

"Where are you headed?"

"Seventeenth floor. Ultrasound."

"Take the stairs." Jacob glanced at the stalled elevator. "I'll help you up."

Victoria placed her hand on his arm without suspicion.

The motion-sensor lights flickered in the stairwell. At the landing, Jacob suddenly tightened his grip.

"Ethan said he'd discard you after the baby's born," he said, voice icy. "A surrogate like you—how dare you covet what belonged to my sister?"

Victoria paled. "Are you insane? I'm carrying the Sullivan heir!"

"Ah—!" She screamed suddenly. "Let go! You're hurting me!"

Jacob shoved hard.

Victoria tumbled down the stairs like a ragdoll, crashing onto the platform. Blood pooled beneath her instantly, staining the white hospital gown crimson.

"Save... the baby..." She writhed in agony, fingers clawing weakly at the blood-slicked floor.

Jacob stood motionless on the steps.

He wondered—had Sophia bled this much during her miscarriage?

Pointing his phone at the woman in the spreading red, he hit send.

[Sis, will this make up for it?]

A nurse's shriek shattered the silence. By the time medical staff arrived, Victoria had lost consciousness.

The ER lights stayed lit for a full hour.

"We couldn't save the baby," the doctor said, removing his mask. "Hysterectomy performed. She's in ICU now."

Jacob smiled.

Sis, can you see? She'll never hurt you again.

His trembling fingers refreshed his phone. The screen remained blank.

Some mistakes, it seemed, could never be undone.

Sirens wailed through the hospital corridors. Jacob offered his wrists willingly, tears splashing onto the cold handcuffs.

Meanwhile, chaos erupted in Sullivan Group's executive suite.

"Mr. Sullivan, the board demands an immediate statement!" The assistant wiped his brow. "Or else—"

Ethan Sullivan opened Twitter without expression. The storm had already broken:

[Helping her husband cheat? Sophia Williams deserved better!]

[The Sullivans are finished—lost their heir and everything.]

[Is Jacob Williams atoning with his life?]

His fingers hovered over the screen for a heartbeat before tapping send.