Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Katherine blinked open her heavy eyes, her vision slowly adjusting to the sterile white ceiling above. The sharp scent of antiseptic stung her nose, and in that instant, she knew she was in a hospital.

A groan escaped her lips as she tried to sit up, but pain shot through every fiber of her body, as if she'd been hit by a speeding train. Something wasn’t right. She felt… empty.

Then it hit her.

Her baby.

Panic surged through her veins as she fumbled to rip the IV from her hand, her other arm flying to her abdomen. But before she could do anything else, a calm, familiar voice stopped her.

"Relax, Kath. You need rest. Your baby is okay," Ma'am Racheal said gently, stepping into her line of vision with a warm smile.

She’d been there all along.

Katherine let out a shakily. “Water.”

Without hesitation, Ma'am Racheal helped her sip from a cup, then carefully adjusted her pillows to support her upright. She sat beside her, watching silently as Katherine drank with trembling hands.

“How are you feeling now?” she asked once Katherine set the cup down.

“A little better,” Katherine murmured, then winced. “But my stomach still hurts. I just hope…” Her voice trailed off as she placed a protective hand over her abdomen. Feeling the faint swell beneath her palm, her pulse slowed slightly.

“The baby’s fine.” Ma'am Racheal said.

Then, what could’ve caused that much bleeding? She thought.

Katherine glanced at her, frowning. “What did the doctor say happened to me?”

Ma'am Racheal sighed and shook her head. “He hasn’t said a word yet. I think he was waiting for you to wake before explaining.”

A silence settled between them.

What went wrong?The thought gnawed at Katherine. And then like lightning, something flashed through her mind.

“I hope…” she started slowly, her voice low and tense, “none of the Hollingsworths showed up at the hospital… when it happened?”

Her tone was sharp now, laced with fear.

“No, they didn’t even care,” Ma’am Racheal replied with a hint of bitterness. “When Rose insisted on following, I told her I’d handle it. We're in a small quiet private hospital. No one will find us here.”

“Good,” Katherine exhaled in relief. “Thank you, Ma’am Racheal… truly. And how’s Thelma? I could—”

Her words were cut off by the sound of the door creaking open. A tall man in a white coat stepped in.

“How are you feeling now, Ma’am Katherine?” the doctor asked, as he began checking her vitals.

Katherine blinked. This wasn’t the usual doctor from the Hollingsworth estate. Which meant… she hadn't really been taken to their hospital. That small fact alone filled her with immense relief.

Her shoulders finally relaxed.

“I’m better,” she replied, “but my stomach still aches. And… my baby?” she asked, almost holding her breath.

Ma’am Racheal let out a soft chuckle. “There she goes again.”

The doctor gave a short nod. “Mild abdominal pain is normal after what happened. But your baby is perfectly fine. What you need now is rest, you’ve been under too much stress. I noticed it immediately.”

Katherine lowered her gaze. Rest. That sounded almost laughable. How could she possibly rest when she was a maid in the Hollingsworth household… barely tolerated… and carrying a child that could turn her world upside down?

Still, the reassurance that her baby was okay melted a layer of anxiety off her chest.

“We’ll make sure she does just that, Doctor,” Ma’am Racheal said firmly.

Katherine managed a small smile. “I’ll try… but—Doctor, please, tell me what really happened. Why had I bled like that?”

The doctor paused, studying her carefully before responding.

“You experienced some contractions,” he said finally. “False labor. Nothing dangerous, but your body is reacting to exhaustion and emotional strain. There’s no cause for alarm.”

Contractions? Ma’am Racheal’s brows furrowed. That didn’t quite add up.

Katherine’s heart skipped. Contractions already? She wasn’t due yet, was she? And something about the doctor’s answer didn’t sit right, not with her, and clearly not with Ma’am Racheal either.

“Are you absolutely sure it won’t happen again?” Katherine’s voice trembled with fear. “I’m scared of losing my baby. I’ve never heard of someone bleeding during contractions, especially this early. I’m only four months along.”

Before the doctor could respond, Ma’am Racheal cut in sharply, her eyes narrowed. “Are you certain it was really contractions, Doctor?”

The doctor gave a calm nod. “Yes, ma’am. I reviewed everything personally. False labor pains, that’s all. And Ma’am Katherine,” he turned to her with a reassuring tone, “there’s no reason to fear a recurrence. Just rest as much as possible, take your medications on time, and avoid any strenuous work. Your baby is safe.”

Katherine slowly nodded, but Ma’am Racheal didn’t take her eyes off him. Something wasn’t right. The doctor's words were composed… too composed. She could see the flicker of hesitation in his eyes, the slight tension in his jaw. He was hiding something.

As the doctor packed up and gently removed the IV from Katherine’s hand, he gave a final nod and exited the room. The moment the door closed behind him, Ma’am Racheal stood and followed him.

Left alone, Katherine exhaled shakily and pushed herself out of bed, wobbling slightly as her feet touched the cold floor. She shuffled to the bathroom, the need to pee urgent and uncomfortable.

After relieving herself, she glanced up at the mirror and froze.

A sharp gasp left her lips.

Her reflection stared back like a ghost. Pale, hollow-eyed, thinner than she remembered.

She looked… broken. The Hollingsworths are draining the life out of me, she thought bitterly.

She looked away.

As she stepped out of the bathroom, her body went rigid.

There, sitting in the chair where Ma’am Racheal had been moments ago was a figure. Tall. Still. His back to her.

Her heart thundered in her chest.

How did someone get in? When?

Her hand reached out blindly, trembling, grabbing a metal object from the wardrobe side tray. She clenched it tight.

“W–Who are you?” she stammered. “How did you get in here?!”

No answer.

Only a slow, deliberate movement.

The figure stood and turned. Her breath caught in her throat.

It was Uncle Ryan.

He smiled faintly. “Surprise.”

The object slipped from her trembling fingers and clattered to the floor.

Katherine stumbled back.

Uncle Ryan’s eyes flicked down to the metal object on the floor before slowly returning to Katherine with a smirk tugging at his lips.

Her heart pounded in her chest.

How did he get in?

Was he here to hurt her?

How did he even know where she was?

Katherine swallowed hard.

“Relax,” he said, almost amused. “I’m not here to hurt you. I just heard what happened… and thought I’d drop by to see how my dear nephew’s wife was doing.”

The way he said it made her skin crawl.

“Wh… what do you want from me?” Katherine asked, her voice shaky.

Uncle Ryan chuckled, slowly advancing toward her. She instinctively stepped back with each move he made.

“I’m here for the pending deal,” he said simply, as if it were obvious. “I’m sure the doctor already gave you his version of what happened… but tell me, Katherine…do you really believe it was just a contraction?”

She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

He knows.

Oh God… he knows.

How much did he know? And what exactly did he mean by that?

“Yes, I know,” he went on, as if reading her thoughts. “I’ve always known. But you see… I’m not a monster. I only become one when I’m pushed.” He tilted his head with that infuriating, smug smile. “I’ve kept your secret all this time, haven’t I? Now… don’t you think it’s time you repay the favor?”

He was close now. Too close.

Katherine shook her head. “I… I can’t. Please, just… find someone else. If Massimo finds out, he’ll kill me. I’m begging you… just help me keep the secret a little longer. I’ll be out of the household soon. I promise you’ll never have to see me again.”

She was stalling.

Uncle Ryan only laughed, dark and low. “Oh, darling… being killed by Massimo would be mercy compared to what’s coming for you.”

Katherine stiffened.

What does he mean?

“Please,” she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. “I don’t want any part of this. Please… let me go. Find someone else. I’m begging you.”

Uncle Ryan leaned in just enough for her to feel the venom behind his smile.

“Oh, dearest… I can’t. You must be the one to carry out the job.” Uncle Ryan murmured. He reached out, trailing his fingers along Katherine’s cheek.

She recoiled instantly.

“The doctor lied to you,” he whispered. “But don’t worry, I won’t also spill the truth about what really happened to you… unless you agree to my deal.”

He took a step closer, dropping his voice lower, deadlier.

“All I need is one file. It’s now in Massimo's home office, no longer in his bedroom. It's thick with a blue cover, on the left shelf. You steal that for me, and you're out. You and your baby can disappear far away from the Hollingsworths, from all of this.”

Katherine’s breath caught in her throat.

“That’s all I’m asking,” he continued, eyes gleaming. “Think about it. Especially for your baby’s sake. Because, Katherine… your life isn't safe in that household. Someone else already knows about your pregnancy. Someone besides me and your head maid.”

Her heart dropped.

“The deal ends today. So be wise.” His voice darkened. “If you don’t do what I ask… then don’t blame me for what happens next.”

He stepped back with a slow smile, savoring the horror on her face.

“Oh—and before I forget,” he added casually, pausing at the door, “James is back.”

Katherine’s blood ran cold.

“So,” he said, flashing one last wicked smirk, “you’d best act fast. Because with him around… we both know exactly what’s at stake.”

And then he was gone, the door clicking softly shut behind him.

Katherine stood frozen, the silence pressing in. Her legs finally gave out, and she sank slowly to the floor, heart pounding, hands trembling.

James is back.

They know about the baby.

And now… she was running out of time.