[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603221E34AF-95":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},95,9,"Chapter 9: The 'Blocked' Notification","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Inside the hospital room, Sabrina Cole’s face twisted into a mask of pure spite the moment she hit 'post.'\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Genevieve Hunter. That bitch. She’d actually had an ace up her sleeve this whole time.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When the door creaked open and Roman Armstrong stepped in, Sabrina’s eyes turned glassy, welling with instant, practiced tears. \"Roman, it’s all my fault. I was so drunk that night, I never imagined it would cause such a massive misunderstanding. I’ll go apologize to Genevieve right now!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman had come here to hold her accountable. He had questions, and he had anger. But as the words left her trembling lips and he looked down at those tear-filled eyes, the fire in his chest died out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't bother,\" Roman muttered, his voice softening. \"You aren't even out of the hospital yet. I’ll talk to her. Just focus on resting.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sabrina nodded, looking up at him with wide, fragile eyes. \"You’re so good to me, Roman. I just hope this doesn't ruin your marriage.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman pulled out his phone and dialed Genevieve.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">One ring. Two. Three. Four. Five.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman’s brow furrowed into a sharp, jagged line. He knew exactly what this was—Genevieve was throwing another one of her childish temper tantrums.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Then, a new notification hit his screen. A post currently trending, climbing the algorithm faster than wildfire.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">[Genevieve Hunter: New horizons await. Until we meet again, everyone.]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The attachment was a formal discharge notice.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The air left Roman’s lungs in a sharp hiss. His pupils contracted. A cold, heavy knot of dread uncoiled in his gut.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He hammered out a message: *Genevieve, what the hell are you doing? Why did you quit without talking to me? Do you even remember we’re married? How could you make such a massive decision on your own?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Then another: *Pick up the damn phone, Genevieve! Or I’m coming over there.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The red exclamation point hit him like a physical blow. He’d been blocked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Panic, cold and irrational, began to claw at his composure.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sabrina, watching over his shoulder, caught sight of the discharge notice. Her eyes widened, and a surge of illicit, triumphant joy hammered against her ribs. But she kept her mask firmly in place.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She let out a broken sob, sliding out of bed to stand on the cold floor, her feet bare and vulnerable. \"Roman, why did she quit? Is it because I made her angry? Is this all my fault?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She looked small, pathetic, and agonizingly innocent.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Under any other circumstances, Roman would have scolded her for leaving the bed, for not taking care of her own recovery. But right now, his mind was a storm of static. He felt raw, irritated, and desperate for an explanation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It has nothing to do with you,\" he snapped, though his tone wasn't meant for her. \"She’s just… she’s got a stubborn streak. Get back in bed.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sabrina shook her head, tears streaming down her face. \"No, it’s me. I know it is. Take me to her, Roman. I’ll beg her to forgive me!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman opened his mouth to snap back, but his phone buzzed in his palm. It was Brady Mason, his aide.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He swiped to answer, but before he could say a word, the frantic voice on the other end cut through the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"General! You have to see this—your secret marriage. It’s been leaked.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272924088]